The word occurs in the compound Ukkalá (Okkalá) Vassa-Bhaññá (S.iii.73; M.iii.78; A.ii.31), a group described as ahetuvádá, akiriyavádá, natthikaváda, but who, nevertheless, agreed that the khandhas might be divided into past, present and future and who accepted the teaching of the Great Forty (see Mahácattárísaka Sutta).
They also accepted non covetousness, non malice, right mindfulness and right concentration as worthy.
The Commentaries (AA.ii.497; MA.ii.894; SA.ii.201 says, dve pi te múladitthigatiká ) explain that Vassa and Bhañña were two people (dvejaná) (? tribes).