A village in Kosala, where the Buddha once stayed and preached the Nalakapána Sutta (M.i.462). The village received its name from the Nalakapána pokkharani (MA.ii.66 4f.; AA.ii.813). The reason for the name of this pond, which was in the village, is given in the Nalapána Jataka. There were two groves near the village, the Ketakavana and the Palásavana; in the latter, Sáriputta preached two sermons at the request of the Buddha. A.v.122f., 125 f.
Preached at the Palásavana in Nalakapána. The Buddha asks the assembled monks among whom are many distinguished members, such as Anuruddha, Kimbíla, Nandiya and others - if they feel they have realized the aim for which they have given up household life? On their assenting, he proceeds to tell them that when he claims that he has destroyed the ásavas and that his disciples have gained various attainments through his teaching, he does so, not in order to cajole or to delude others, nor to gain fame and profit for himself, but to hearten and fill with enthusiasm believing young men, that they may concentrate with their whole hearts and follow the example of his disciples. M.i.462ff.
The Buddha, having preached to the monks in Palásavana in Nalakapána till late at night, asks Sáriputta to continue, as he has pain in his back and wishes to rest. Sáriputta thereupon takes up the sermon and tells the monks of the necessity for saddhá, hiri, ottappa, viriya and paññá, for the performance of good works. The Buddha returns and praises Sáriputta. A.v.122ff.
The circumstances are the same as in (2), but the qualities mentioned by Sáriputta differ - saddhá, hiri, ottappa, viriya, sotávadhána, dhammadháraná, atthupaparikkhá, dhammánudhammapatipatti, and appamáda. A.v.125ff.