Dear Thomas and friends,

if I recall correctly, there was already previous discussion on this topic. I have not read much about Sahampati, so was not able to contribute to the discussion. I like to thank Thomas for the question, and everyone who has helped to provide an answer. I have learned from the discussion too.

Thomas, regardless of the meaning of the name, and regardless of how a particular heavenly "character" is regarded in any Buddhist tradition, in the Buddhist practice, Buddhists respect all heavenly beings, but do not generally associate with any.

metta,
Yong Peng.

--- In Pali@yahoogroups.com, thomaslaw03 wrote:

I now will consider that the term Sahampati (or Sahaa.mpati) is used in both ways, Lord of the Saha world and a name for an individual Brahmaa who is the most senior of Brahmaas in the Brahmaa world. I hope this is OK for all Buddhist traditions.