Venerable Mahathera Kondanna was the first to perceive the vision of nirvana after hearing the Buddha’s discourse on the Four Noble Truths. He was the first to be ordained as a bhikkhu and to start the community of Sangha and therefore the tradition of the Three Jewels: Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.
Kondanna was the most senior bhikkhu in the community that surrounded the Buddha during his lifetime. Kondanna was was able to grasp the true meaning of the Four Noble Truths because he had performed significant acts of merit for a hundred thousand aeons.
The Buddha said: “Annasi vata bho Kondanno; annasi vata bho Kondanno!”
(“Oh, Kondanna has penetrated the Four Truths! Oh, Kondanna has penetrated the Four Truths!”)
Venerable Kondanna was known as ‘Annasi’ Kondanna, the ‘Penetrating’ Kondanna, from that time onwards.
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