Vaidehi (Vaidehī) Wife of Bimbisara, king of Magadha, and mother of Ajatashatru.
Vaishravana (Vaiśravaṇa) Hearer of Many Teachings. One of the four heavenly kings, he watches over the north and listens to the Buddhist teachings, protecting the place where the Buddha expounds them.
Varanasi (Vārāṇasī) The capital of Kashi, one of the sixteen major states of ancient India. It corresponds to the present-day Benares. Deer Park, where Shakyamuni preached his first sermon, was in Varanasi.
voice-hearer (Skt śrāvaka, Ch shengwen, J shōmon) One who listens to the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha. The term originally applied to his disciples, both monks and laymen. Later Mahayana Buddhists used the term to refer to monks who pursued only their own personal enlightenment. See also four-stage enlightenment.