1. Rakkhita Thera. He was born in a noble Sákyan family of Vedehanigama (? Devadaha) and was one of the five hundred youths given by the Sákyan and Koliyan chiefs to provide an escort to the Buddha, as an acknowledgement of his having prevented war between them. When the Buddha preached the Kunála Játaka, Rakkhita, realizing the dangers of sensuality, developed insight, and later became an arahant.
In the time of Padumuttara Buddha he heard the Buddha preach and praised his eructation (Thag.79; ThagA.i.173). He is evidently identical with Sobhita Thera of the Apadána. Ap.i.163f.
2. Rakkhita Thera. He was sent to the Vanavása country to convert it at the end of the Third Council. Floating in the air amid the people, he preached the Anamatagga Samyutta. Sixty thousand people embraced the new religion and thirty seven thousand joined the Order, five hundred viháras being founded. Mhv.xii.4, 31ff.; Dpv.viii.7; Sp.i.63, 66.
3. Rakkhita. See Mahárakkhita in the Somanassa Játaka.
4. Rakkhita. The Bodhisatta born as an ascetic. See Mahámangala Játaka.
5. Rakkhita. Son of Lokitá and Moggallána and brother of Kitti (afterwards Vijayabáhu I.). Cv.lvii.42.
6. Rakkhita Thera. See Buddharakkhita.