A brahmin of Rájagaha, expert in the three Vedas. He belonged to the family of Párásara, hence his name. He was a teacher of many brahmins up to the time of his witnessing the miracles attending the Buddha's visit to Rájagaha. Thereupon he joined the Order and shortly after became an arahant.
In the time of Piyadasí Buddha he was a hunter, and while hunting in the forest, he saw the Buddha in meditation, and erected a hut over him, covering it with lilies. For seven days he renewed the supply of flowers. On the seventh day a large concourse of humans and devas assembled to hear the Buddha preach. The hunter listened to the sermon, and was born after death in the deva world (Thag.vs.116; ThagA.i.229 ff). He is probably identical with Padumakútágárlya of the Apadána (Ap.i.326ff). v.l. Párápariya.
A brahmin teacher mentioned in the Indriyabhávaná Sutta. He is said, by his pupil Uttara, to have taught that those who have developed their indriyas could neither see forms with their eyes nor hear sounds with their ears (M.iii.298). He is perhaps identical with Párápariya Thera.
A brahmin teacher of Takkasilá, mentioned in the Cúlánandiya Játaka. J.ii.202.
The Bodhisatta born as a teacher of Takkasilá (J.iii.160). His family name was Párásariya (Ibid., 161). For details see the Dhonasákha Játaka.