Who was Sāriputta?

Sāriputta (Sanskrit, Śāriputra) was one of the two chief disciples of the Buddha. The other was his close friend Moggallāna. In the early texts Sāriputta is the disciple foremost in wisdom, and many discourses record him teaching the Dharma, the Buddha's teaching, in clear, careful detail.

Coming to the Buddha

Sāriputta was born into a brahmin family near Rājagaha. As young men, he and Moggallāna became disillusioned with ordinary pleasures and became followers of a wandering teacher. They agreed that whoever first found the path to the deathless would tell the other.

According to the texts, Sāriputta met the monk Assaji, one of the Buddha's first disciples, and asked about his teacher. Assaji gave a short summary: the Buddha teaches the cause of things that arise from a cause, and their ending. On hearing this, Sāriputta had his first insight. He told Moggallāna, and both went to the Buddha and were ordained.

A great teacher

The Buddha praised Sāriputta's ability to explain the teaching. In one discourse he compares Sāriputta to a mother who gives birth, and Moggallāna to a nurse who brings up the child: Sāriputta helped people to their first insight, and Moggallāna guided them further. Several important discourses are given by Sāriputta himself, such as his detailed explanation of the Four Noble Truths. In another, a wanderer asks him what nirvana is, and he answers that it is the ending of greed, hatred and delusion.

In the Abhidhamma, the systematic analysis of mind and matter, tradition also gives Sāriputta a central role.

Character

The texts show Sāriputta as humble and patient as well as brilliant. He was quick to admit mistakes and gentle with those who criticised him. He also took care of sick monks and of his fellow disciples.

His death

Sāriputta died shortly before the Buddha. According to the commentaries, he had returned to his birthplace to teach his mother. When the news reached the Buddha, the texts record him reminding Ānanda that everything that is born must pass away. Sāriputta's example of wisdom joined with kindness is still held up to Buddhists today.