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Āḷavakā

v.l. Āḷavikā.– A name given to the monks of Āḷavī.

Buddhaghosa (Sp.iii.561) says that all children born in Āḷavī were called Āḷavakā. The Āḷavikā-bhikkhū are mentioned several times in the Vinaya (ii.172 ff; iii.85; iv.34‑5) in connection with offences relating to the repair and construction of buildings (navakamma), and rules are laid down by the Buddha restricting these monks in their activities. Once when one of the monks was cutting down a tree which was the abode of a devata, the sprite was sorely tempted to kill him, but restraining her wrath she sought the Buddha and complained to him. The Buddha praised her forbearance and taught the Uraga Sutta (SnA.i.4‑5).

In the introductory story of the Maṇikaṇṭha Jātaka (J.ii.282‑3) it is stated that the importunities of these monks so annoyed the residents of Āḷavī that they fled at the approach of any yellow-robed monk.