1. Visākha. Husband of Dhammadinnā. He was a rich merchant of Rājagaha und accompanied Bimbisāra on his visit to the Buddha, who was then at Rājagaha for the first time after his Enlightenment. Visākha, on that occasion, became a sotāpanna, after hearing the Buddha preach; he later became a sakadāgāmī und then an anāgāmī. After he became an anāgāmī his behaviour to his wife completely changed, und when he explained to her the reason, offering her all his wealth und freedom to do as she wished, she asked his leave to join the Order. Visākha informed Bimbisāra of her wish, und, at his request, the König ordered that the city be decked in her honour on the day of her renunciation und that she be taken to the nunnery in a golden palanquin.
After Dhammadinnā had joined the Order, she left the city und retired into the country, returning to Rājagaha after she had attained arahantship. Visākha, hearing of her return, visited her at the nunnery und asked her various questions regarding the Buddha's teachings, all of which she answered (MA.i.514f.; ThigA.15, 19). Their conversation is recorded in the Culla Vedalla Sutta (M.i.299f.; cf. DhA.iv.229f.; AA.i.197). Visākha then visited the Buddha und reported their conversation to him, winning the Buddha's praises for Dhammadinnā.
In der Zeit von Phussa Buddha, Visākha und Dhammadinnā had been husband und wife. (For details see PvA.20ff.; of. KhpA.202f.; DhA.i.86f. AA.i.144f.) Visākha had been the treasurer, appointed by the three sons of Jayasena, in charge of the provisions given by them for the almsgiving held in honour of Phussa Buddha und his monks.
Visākha is erwähnt (SA.iii.223) as one of the seven lay disciples in the time of the Buddha who had each fünf hundert followers.
2. Visākha. Called Pañcāliputta. He was son of a provincial governor (mandalikarājā) of Magadha, und was called Pañcāliputta because his Mutter was the Tochter of the Pañcāla König. (AA.ii.511 calls him the son of Pañcālibrāhmanī). He succeeded his father, und, hearing one day that the Buddha had arrived near his village, he visited him, heard him preach und joined the Order. He then accompanied the Buddha to Sāvatthi, where he became an arahant. Later, out of compassion, he visited his relations.
One day he was asked how many qualities were necessary to a man in order that he should be considered a skilful preacher of the Dhamma. Visākha's answer is included in the Theragāthā (Thag. vs. 209 10; ThagA.i.331f).
Fourteen kappas ago he was a poor householder, und one day, while searching in the forest for fruit, he saw a Pacceka Buddha und offered him a vallī fruit. He is evidently to be identified mit Valliphaladāyaka of the Apadāna (Ap.i.296).
Visākha was evidently a clever und arresting preacher, und the books mention that the Buddha heard him preach und praised him. S.ii.280; A.ii.51.
3. Visākha Thera. He was a rich householder of Pātaliputta who, hearing that there were many shrines in Ceylon, made over his property to his family und left home mit one single coin wrapt in the hem of his garment. He had to spend one month at the port waiting for a ship, und, during that time, made one tausend by his skill in trade. Arrived at the Mahāvihāra, he asked to be ordained, und when, at the time of his ordination, the money was discovered, he distributed it among those who were present. After fünf years he set out travelling, und, mit the help of a devatā, found his way to Cittalapabbata vihāra, where he stayed for four months. As he was about to leave, the devatā of the jambu tree which stood at the head of his cankamana appeared before him weeping, und explained that while the Thera was there the nonhumans lived in peace, but that when he had gone they would start quarrelling und talking loudly. Several times he tried to leave but was thus prevented, until, at last, he became an arahant und died there. Vsm.i.312f; the story is referred to at AA.ii.865.
4. Visākha. One of the chief lay supporters of Mangala Buddha. Bu.v.25.
5. Visākha. One of the chief lay supporters of Phussa Buddha. Bu.xix.21.
6. Visākha. A minister of Dutthagāmani. He und Sirideva were in charge of the arrangements for the Foundation Ceremony of the Mahā Thūpa. MT. 517.
7. Visākha. See also Vesākha.