Page last updated on 8 October, 2020
Pāthika
1. Pāthika.– Father of Pāthikaputta (q.v.)
2. Pāthika.– Chief of the Vinayadharas in the time of Padumuttara Buddha. Thag.i.362, 365; but see Ap.i.38.
Pāthika Vagga.– The third and last section of the Dīghanikāya, the first sutta of the section being the Pāthika Sutta.
Pāthika Sutta.– The twenty-fourth sutta of the Dīghanikāya. The Buddha visits the hermitage of the paribbājaka Bhaggava at Anupiya and the conversation turns on the Licchavi Sunakkhatta’s reason for leaving the Order. Sunakkhatta was dissatisfied because the Buddha would not work mystic wonders for him nor reveal to him the beginnings of things. Mention is also made of Korakkhattiya, Kaḷāramatthuka, and Pāthikaputta, whom Sunakkhatta held in great esteem for their austerities, but whose spiritual development was insignificant. The Buddha is shown as holding the practice of miracles not entirely worthy.
The second part of the sutta, which is a kind of appendix, deals with the beginnings of things. D.iii.1 ff; for a discussion on the sutta, see Dial.iii.1 ff.