A chieftain (rájańńa) of Setavyá, who lived on a royal domain gifted by Pasenadi. He held the view that there was no world other than this, no fruit of actions and no rebirth. But after a discussion with Kúmara Kassapa, who was staying in the Simsapávana near by, he was convinced of the error of his views. Thereupon he instituted an almsgiving to all who sought his generosity. The gifts were, however, coarse and unpalatable. A young brahmin named Uttara, who came to the almsgiving and was passed over, spoke scornfully of the gifts. Hearing of this, Páyási appointed him to supervise the distribution. After death, Páyási was born among the Cátummahárájika god's while Uttara was born in Távatimsa.
Gavampati met Páyási in the deva world, and Páyási instructed him to teach men to give their gifts with thoroughness and with their own hands (D.ii.316ff.; VvA.297f., 331f). Páyási devaputta was also known as Serísakadevaputta because he lived in the Serísaka vimána. For details see Serísaka devaputta.
The sixth chapter of the Vimána Vatthu.
The twenty third sutta of the Dígha Nikáya. It contains a discussion on rebirth and karma between Páyási and Kumára Kassapa in the Simsapávana at Setavyá (D.ii.316ff).
The incidents mentioned in the sutta took place, according to Dhammapála (VvA. p.297), after the Buddha's death and the erection of thúpas over his relics.