bio. from DPPN
He belonged to a brahmin family and was proficient in the Vedas. He gained repute by tapping on skulls with his finger nail and telling thereby where the owners of the skull were reborn. During three years he thus gained much money. Then, in spite of the protests of his colleagues, he went to see the Buddha, who gave him the skull of an arahant (according to the Apadāna, he saw Sāriputta first and learnt from him about the Buddha). Vangīsa could make nothing of this and joined the Order to learn its secret. He was ordained by Nigrodhakappa, and, meditating on the thirty two constituents of the body, he won arahantship. He then visited the Buddha again and praised him in various verses, full of similes and metaphors. This brought him reputation as a poet (Kāvyacitta or Kāveyyamatta). Later the Buddha declared him foremost among those pre eminent in ready expression (patibhānavantānam). His resolve to attain to this position was made in the time of Padumuttara Buddha. A.i.24; Dpv.iv.4; ThagA.ii.192ff.; AA.i.149ff.; DhA.iv.226f.; SNA.i.345f.; Ap.ii.495ff.
The Theragāthā contains numerous verses spoken by him on various occasions (Thag.1208 79; most of these are repeated at S.i.183ff ) some of them (1209-18) uttered about himself, his attempts to suppress desires excited by the sight of gaily dressed women (Cf. S.i.185; on one such occasion, he confessed his disaffection to Ananda, who admonished him.); others (1219-22) were self admonitions against conceit because of his facility of speech; some were spoken in praise of sermons preached by the Buddha - e.g., the Subhāsita Sutta (1227-30), a sutta on Nibbāna (1238-45), and a sutta preached at the Pavārana ceremony (1231-7). Several verses were in praise of his colleagues - e.g. Sāriputta (1231-3), Aññā Kondañña (1246-8), and Moggallāna (1249-51). One of Vangīsa's long poems (vvs. 1263-74) is addressed to the Buddha, questioning him as to the destiny of his (Vangīsa's) teacher Nigrodhakappa. The Commentary (ThagA.ii.211) explains that when Nigrodhakappa died Vangīsa was absent and wished to be assured by the Buddha that his teacher had reached Nibbāna. But the poem is more than a question. It is really a eulogy of the Buddha. Another verse (1252) describes the Buddha as he sat surrounded by his monks on the banks of the Gaggarā at Campā.
The Samyutta (S.i.185ff.; SA.i.207ff ) devotes one whole section to Vangīsa, dealing with the incidents connected with his life and giving poems made by him on these occasions. The Milinda (p. 390)'also contains a poem attributed to Vangīsa in praise of the Buddha. According to the Apadāna (Ap.ii.497, vs.27), he was called Vangīsa, both because he was born in Vanga and also because he was master of the spoken word (vacana). See also Vangīsa Sutta and Subhāsita Sutta.
to fortify yourself against the toxic energy surrounding St. Valentine’s day
excerpt from https://worldstrides.com/blog/2017/02/6-valentines-day-traditions-around-the-world/
6 Valentine's Day Traditions Around the World
Across the United States and around the world, February 14 marks a day of celebration of St. Valentine.
The legend of St. Valentine is shrouded in mystery. The Catholic Church recognizes at least three saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. One legend says Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided single men made better soldiers than those with families, he outlawed marriage. Valentine continued to perform marriages in secret, causing Claudius to order he be put to death. Other stories suggest Valentine was killed for attempting to help Christians escape Roman prisons.
It is also told that Valentine sent the first Valentine’s Day greeting. Yet another legend says Valentine fell in love while imprisoned, perhaps with the jailor’s daughter who visited him. Before his death, he is said to have written her a letter and signed it “From your Valentine.”
Regardless of its origins, Valentine’s Day is celebrated around the world. While February 14 marks a day of candy, flowers, greeting cards, and romantic dinners around the United States, other parts of the world have their own unique ways to celebrate St. Valentine.
United Kingdom
The celebration of Valentine’s Day is alive and well in the United Kingdom. In a tradition dating back to the Victorian era, anonymous valentines are sent to romantic interests. Victorians believed signing their name to the card was considered bad luck. The United Kingdom also started the tradition of giving roses on Valentine’s Day. The flower is traditionally seen as the favorite of Venus, the Roman goddess of love.
Wales
Rather than celebrate love on February 14, residents of Wales celebrate St. Dwynwen’s Day on January 25. St. Dwynwen is the Welsh patron saint of lovers and men traditionally gift women with hand-carved wooden spoons. The tradition is based on the notion that Welsh sailors carved designs into wooden spoons while at sea to bring back to their lovers at home.
Japan
In Japan, women make the first move on Valentine’s Day. They give men gifts instead of the other way around, a popular gift being honmei-choco, a homemade chocolate. Men return the gesture on March 14. Known as White Day, men give women white chocolate and other white gifts as a sign of their affection.
South Korea
As in Japan, women in South Korea give gifts to men on Valentine’s Day while men celebrate White Day. South Korea has a third holiday, however, known as Black Day. Celebrated on April 14, single friends gather to eat noodles and celebrate being single. The name comes from the noodle dish, which includes white noodles in a black sauce.
Slovenia
In Slovenia, February 14 is considered a prime day for working in the fields as St. Valentine is one of the patron saints of spring. Slovenians typically celebrate romance a month later, on St. Gregory’s Day, which falls on March 12.
Finland and Estonia
Finland and Estonia celebrate Friend’s Day on February 14, a day for honoring both friends and significant others. Cards and gifts are still given out, and can be for anyone from a best friend to a neighbor. February 14 is also a popular day to get engaged in both countries. Additionally, Estonia has an interesting tradition for single people—they can take a ride on the Love Bus in hopes of meeting someone special.
February 14th, St. Vangisa Day, is the culmination of Asubha week
Around the world, February 14 marks a day of celebration of St. Vangisa the Arahant, the patron saint of asubha practice and conquest of lust.
SN 8.1,
SN 8.2: You thought people born during the Buddha's time somehow were different than us and had more will power and ability to attain awakening than us? St. Vangisa had problems with lust just like the rest of us.
SN 8.4: Ven. Ananda summarizes the path of
Brahma-cariya and
a-subha 🧟 that destroys lust and delusion, and St. Vangisa immortalizes those instructions in verse. Memorize the verse, recite it frequently.
February 15th, and the rest of the year
So what do we do now that St. Vangisa day is over?
AN 4.14 see part (4. Anurakkhaṇāp-padhānaṃ), the Buddha's recommendation of what right effort step 4 should be doing most of the time.
Guess what? If you're serious about the practice, every day is asubha day and St. Vangisa day!