Paviṭṭha Thera
1. Paviṭṭha Thera. v.l. Saviṭṭha.– In the Aṅguttaranikāya (A.i.118 f) he is represented as saying, in the course of a conversation between him, Sāriputta, and Koṭṭhika, that he preferred the person who obtains relief by faith (saddhā), to one who testifies to the truth with the body or one who has won view.
The Commentary (AA.i.353) explains that Paviṭṭha himself won Arahantship through faith, and that therefore he praises faith.
The Saṃyuttanikāya (S.ii.115) contains two conversations of Paviṭṭha, both of which took place at the Ghositārāma in Kosambī. The first is with Musila and deals with the Law of Dependent Origination (Paṭiccasamuppāda). Musila, in answer to Paviṭṭha’s questions, says that he has realised the truth of Dependent Origination (paṭiccasamuppāda) as his own. “Then you are an Arahant,” says Paviṭṭha, and Musila remains silent. In the other conversation, Nārada, present at the discussion, in the company of Ānanda, requests that the same questions be put to him. This Paviṭṭha does, and he tells Paviṭṭha that he has realised the truth of Dependent Origination by right insight and that, yet, he is not an Arahant. He is like a man who sees a well containing water, but who has neither rope nor vessel. “Now, what will you say of Nārada?” asks Ānanda. “Nothing that is not lovely and good,” answers Paviṭṭha.
2. Paviṭṭha Thera.– A brahmin of Magadha who, following his own inclination, became a wanderer (paribbājaka). His training ended, he wandered forth and heard of Upatissa and Kolita joining the Buddha’s Order. Impressed by their example, he became a monk and, soon after, an Arahant.
In the time of Atthadassī Buddha, he was an ascetic named Nārada and paid homage to the Buddha. Seventeen world-
He is evidently identical with Ekapasādaniya of the Apadāna. Ap.i.168 f.