Summary: Vanavāsi-Tissa is the novice (sāmaṇera) of the Dhammapada-aṭṭhakathā tradition who, confronted with the choice between city life surrounded by gains and patronage and a forest retreat with little support, chose the forest — and in consequence swiftly attained arahantship. The Dhp-a occasions Dhp 75 (one thing leads to gain, another leads to Nibbāna — the disciple of the Buddha, having understood this, should not delight in honours but cultivate seclusion) with his narrative. The canonical suttas do not name him; the story is commentarial. (commentary — not canonical)
Related pages
- dhammapada 05 balavagga — Dhp 75 vatthu
- fool and wise bala pandita — the paṇḍita's clear sight of the two paths
- viveka — seclusion; the virtue Tissa chose (pending)
- arannavasi — forest-dwelling practice (pending)