Mekkhaya

Mekkhaya refers to a Theravada Buddhist monk, most prominently known as the personal attendant of the Buddha for a period of time. He appears in several suttas (discourses) in the Pali Canon, where his interactions with the Buddha are recorded. These suttas often depict Mekkhaya's struggle to control his mind and senses, and the Buddha's guidance in helping him achieve greater mindfulness and concentration. Mekkhaya's story serves as an example within the Buddhist scriptures of the challenges faced on the path to enlightenment and the importance of perseverance and guidance from a teacher. The content of his dialogues with the Buddha emphasize themes such as sense restraint, the dangers of unwholesome thoughts, and the development of skillful qualities.