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10 Great Disciple of Gautama Buddha

Author : Peter Vredeveld

disciples of buddha
There are 10 Great Disciples of Lord Buddha who had carried his teachings, dharma, and had spread Buddhism far wider. They are Sariputra, Moggallana, Mahakasyapa, Subhuti, Purna, Katyayana, Anuradha, Upali, Rahula and Ananda.

The life of Buddha has always been to help all sentient beings to make them free from the suffering and pain of life. During the lifetime of Buddha, he countered numerous people and his encounter with those people had transformed many people and followed him since then. During his forty-five years, many became his disciples, but the Ten Principal Disciples of Lord Buddha carried on his teachings and Dharma, spreading Buddhism far wider. Each disciple was known for a specific quality or area and was foremost among all the Buddha's disciples. The Ten Principal Disciples of Lord Buddha are:

1. Sariputra

Sariputra, also known as Upatissa, was one of the two chief male disciples of Lord Buddha. Another chief disciple of Lord Buddha was Moggallana. According to Buddhist legend, Sariputra and Moggallana were born on the same day. He attained Nirvana, became Arhat, and became known as "Foremost in Wisdom." He was also renowned for his teaching. Even Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara preaches to Sariputra in Heart Sutra. He was praised by Lord Buddha as an enthusiastic and effective Dharma Teacher: "You are wise, Sariputta, great and wide is your wisdom, joyful and quick is your wisdom, sharp and analytical is your wisdom." Sariputra attained Enlightenment after two weeks of his ordination.

2. Moggallana

Mogallana was another chief male disciple of Lord Buddha and was also known as Maudgalyayana. He was the top master and possessed transcendental powers. Moggallana and Sariputra were close friends and went to seek the preaching and teachings of Lord Buddha after they became unsatisfied with Sanjaya BelatthaputtaMoggallana is depicted as a monk with a dark complexion. Moggallana, since he possessed psychic powers, usually used this power to help people. Moggallana died before Lord Buddha, two weeks after the death of Sariputra.

3. Mahakasyapa

moggallana

Mahakasyapa was known for his ascetic practices. After Lord Buddha attained final Nirvana, he and 500 other disciples assembled Buddha's Suttas and became the leader of the Sangha. He became the first man to preach directly about the teachings and sutras of BuddhaMahakasyapa is also called the "father of sangha."

4. Subhuti

Subhuti was one of the ten Great Disciples of Gautama Buddha. Subhuti was known as foremost in understanding the doctrine of emptiness. He is mentioned in an essential teaching of Prajnaparamita of Mahayana Buddhism.

5. Purna Maitrayani-Putra

Purna Maitrayani-Putra is also called "Purna" and was known as the foremost preacher of the law. Purna was a very enthusiastic disciple of Gautama Buddha and was very good at preaching. Purna had always thought about the future of Buddhism and took the necessary steps to spread the Buddha seeds. There was no evidence of Purna attaining Nirvana. He had only preached around for the future of Buddhism and serving the public.

6. Katyayana

Katyayana, also known as Mahakatyayana, was one of the ten principal Disciples of Gautama Buddha. He was known as foremost in spreading the Dharma taught by Buddha. He understood the lecture of Lord Buddha the best.

7. Anuradha

Anuradha was a cousin of Shakyamuni Buddha. He and Ananda became the disciples of Lord Buddha at the same time. He was foremost in divine insight. He was the master of divination. He lost sight because he swore not to sleep after being criticized by Lord Buddha. Later, he got another pair of eyes believed to have the power to see the truth.

8. Upali

Upali was working as a barber before he joined Buddha. He was foremost in observing the precepts. He became a disciple of Buddha when he was cutting Buddha's hair. Upali was born in the lowest class of Indian Society, so he hesitated when he asked if he could join Lord Buddha, the lower class man such as himself. Later, Upali became Arhat, the chief disciple, and later developed Vinaya School.

9. Rahula

According to history, Rahula was the only son of Shakyamuni Buddha before he became Buddha. He is one of the 10 Great Disciples of Lord Buddha. He became a monk when he was still a child and achieved Enlightenment at 18. He was the first novice monk in the hometown of Lord Buddha.

10. Ananda

Ananda was foremost in hearing the teachings of Buddha. He listened to Buddha's teachings the most among the others. He and Anuradha were Lord Buddha's cousins and simultaneously became Lord Buddha's disciples. The term Ananda means excellent delight. He took care of Lord Buddha for 25 years until the departure of Lord Buddha.

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