Summary: Sāriputta is the Buddha's chief disciple and the foremost among the monks in wisdom (paññā). Together with Mahā-Moggallāna he forms the canonical pair of agga-sāvakā (chief disciples). The Dhammapada-aṭṭhakathā attributes the context of Dhp 95 and Dhp 97 to stories involving Sāriputta; the canonical record of his person rests on SN 28, MN 9 (cited; not yet ingested), and Thag 1000–1049.
(This page draws on canonical references; full ingest of cited sources pending.)
Life in the canon
Sāriputta was born Upatissa in the brahmin village of Nālaka near Rājagaha. His friend Moggallāna (born Kolita) went forth with him under the wanderer Sañjaya Belaṭṭhaputta; dissatisfied, both resolved to seek liberation elsewhere. The occasion of Sāriputta's going to the Buddha was his encounter with the monk assaji (page pending), who recited the ye dhammā verse (Vin I 40 (cited; not yet ingested)) — the four-word summary of the teaching of conditionality. Hearing half the verse, Sāriputta attained stream-entry; he returned and conveyed it to Moggallāna, who also attained stream-entry.
Both were received by the Buddha and within a short period Sāriputta attained arahantship after hearing the Vedanā-pariggaha Sutta (MN 74 — (cited; not yet ingested), the teaching on feeling delivered to the wanderer Dīghanakha).
The Buddha appointed Sāriputta and Mahā-Moggallāna as his two chief disciples (agga-sāvakā). Sāriputta's canonical role is:
- Teaching the Dhamma in detail (vitthāra-desanā) — for example, MN 9 (cited; not yet ingested), the definitive exposition of right view given by Sāriputta with the Buddha's approval
- Examining monks' views and correcting wrong understanding
- Acting as deputy teacher (upaṭṭhāka) in the Buddha's absence
Sāriputta predeceased the Buddha, dying at his home village of Nālaka after attaining parinibbāna. His bowl and outer robe were brought to the Buddha by Cunda the novice (page pending); the occasion prompted a teaching on the indestructibility of the Dhamma (SN 47.13 (cited; not yet ingested)).
Key teachings given or received
- MN 9 (cited; not yet ingested) — Sammādiṭṭhi Sutta: Sāriputta's detailed exposition of right view, covering the wholesome and unwholesome, the four noble truths, nutriment, dependent origination, and the defilements
- SN 28 (cited; not yet ingested) — Sāriputta-saṁyutta: suttas on his absorptions and other qualities
- MN 28 (cited; not yet ingested) — Mahāhatthipadopama Sutta: Sāriputta's teaching on the four elements as the "elephant's footprint" of the teachings
- MN 74 (cited; not yet ingested) — occasion of Sāriputta's arahantship
- Thag 1000–1049 (cited; not yet ingested) — his 50 verses in the Theragāthā
Dhammapada vatthu context
The Dhammapada-aṭṭhakathā (commentary) assigns several Dhammapada verses to narratives involving Sāriputta:
- Dhp 95 (vatthu: Sāriputtattheravatthu) — on equanimity like earth, pillar, lake; traditionally the story of Sāriputta's forbearance when struck on the head by a yaksha (commentary — not canonical)
- Dhp 97 (vatthu: Sāriputtattheravatthu) — the paradoxical "faithless house-breaker" verse; the vatthu presents it as the Buddha's description of Sāriputta's qualities *(commentary — not canonical; see high-risk note on dhammapada 07 arahantavagga**)
These vatthu attributions are from the commentary and are not part of the canonical Dhammapada text.
Relationships
- Co-chief-disciple with Mahā-Moggallāna — the canonical pair of agga-sāvakā
- Went forth with assaji (page pending) as the immediate occasion of his stream-entry
- Friend of Mahā-Moggallāna since before going forth
- Younger Dhamma-brother to Mahā-Kassapa (senior arahant disciple)
Related pages
- dhammapada 07 arahantavagga — vagga with his vatthu attributions (Dhp 95, 97)
- dhammapada 08 sahassavagga — further Sāriputta-related vatthus (Dhp 106–108)
- arahant — the liberation he embodies
- mahamoggallana — co-chief disciple
- mahakassapa — another senior disciple