Chief Disciple of Buddha - Sariputra

Author : Peter Vredeveld

Sariputra was one of Buddha's chief disciples. He was foremost in Wisdom among all the disciples of Lord Buddha. He was regarded as the son of the Blessed One (Buddha). Sariputra was the chief assistant who helped Lord Buddha turn the Wheel of Dharma.

Sariputra was one of the chief disciples of Lord Buddha and is considered one of the ten foremost disciples of Gautama Buddha in Theravada tradition. Another chief disciple of Lord Buddha was Moggallana, and both disciples were foremost in their aspects. Sariputra was foremost in Wisdom and only second to Lord Buddha regarding teaching ability. Sariputra was also called Sariputta in Pali or Shariputra. People considered both chief disciples to be counterparts of female nuns Khema and Uppalavanna. Sariputra was a young disciple when he realized Enlightenment and became an arahant. The third Basket of Tripitaka was believed to be passed on by Sariputra, as Lord Buddha used to teach him about Abhidharma (third basket) in Heaven's realms. Later, Sariputra mastered it and copied Buddha's Abhidharma teachings, passing them on to the disciples and followers of Buddhism.

Sariputra in Early Life

Sariputra was born into a Brahmin family. His father's name was Vanganta, and his mother was Rupasari. Sariputra's original name was Upatissa, and he was called Sariputra due to his mother. Sari was his mother's name, and Putra means son. Sariputra was born on the same day as his youth friend and another chief disciple of Lord Buddha, Moggallana. It was the time of the festival organized in Rajagaha, and Sariputra, with his best friend Moggallana, attended it. They happened to participate in one theatrical play, and that play triggered them to search for more knowledge to find the truth of life.

Both became ascetics and chose to look for the truth of life. They both became disciples of the religious leader of that time, Sanjaya Belatthiputta. Both stayed with Sanjaya for some time but were unsatisfied with his teachings and decided to leave him. It was then that they came across the Buddhist monk Assaji. Assaji was one of the first five disciples of Lord Buddha. Both Sariputra and Moggallana asked Assaji for his teachings. Then Assaji replied:

"Of all those things that from a cause arise,

Tathagata, the cause thereof, has told;

And how they cease to be, that too, he says,

This is the doctrine of the Great Recluse."

When both of them heard such words, they began their journey to listen to the teachings of Lord Buddha.

Disciple of Lord Buddha

According to Pali texts and history, after hearing from the disciple of Lord Buddha, Sariputra was greatly moved and had insight into Enlightenment. They became Buddhist monks shortly and became one of the most respected disciples of Lord Buddha. After two weeks of becoming a Buddhist monk, Sariputra was asked to fan while preaching the sermon since Lord Buddha saw the potentiality and fate of Sariputra through the divine eye.

After accepting the task of fanning Lord Buddha and listening to Buddha preaching so closely, he attained Enlightenment and became an arahant. Shortly after, Sariputra started preaching with the approval of Lord Buddha and was called "General of Dharma." Buddha usually taught him about Abhidharma, one of Tripitaka's three baskets; later, he mastered and was regarded as the founder of the Abhidharma tradition. Buddha often praised him highly and even declared him the spiritual son of the Blessed One. Buddha even regarded him as one of the chief assistants in turning the Wheel of Dharma. Sariputra was a selfless monk who always tried to help others realize Enlightenment. He even visited the sick and looked after the sick people, young and older monks in the Sangha.

Departure and The Last Task

When Sariputra realized that his departure from this world was approaching, he requested to leave Lord Buddha and return to his birthplace to his mother. At first, Rupasari didn't believe in Dharma despite her son being the chief assistant in turning the Wheel of Dharma. When heavenly beings came to give their respect to Sariputra before his last departure, Rapasari was moved. Then, Sariputra helped her see the sight on the path of Enlightenment. Shortly after Sariputra died in the room he was born before Lord Buddha attained Parinirvana, his best friend, Moggallana, also died before Lord Buddha while traveling. When Ananda heard of his death, Ananda was profoundly distressed and passed the news to Lord Buddha. Buddha consoled him, stating that this was a natural process and Ananda should not be distressed since Sariputra was aware of such phenomena.

The Stupa of Sariputra was constructed in Nalanda, where he was born and died, in respect to him. The Stupa was made on the relics of Sariputra's cremated body. The relics were handed over to King Ajatashatru by Lord Buddha. The Stupa was constructed by King Dharmasoka in 261 BC.