TWO CHIEF MALE DISCIPLES

The two chief male disciples of the Buddha were Sariputra (Pali: Sariputta) and Maudgalyayana (Pali: Moggallana). The nuns Khema and Uppalavanna are the two chief female disciples, although little is known of them.

Close friends, Sariputra and Maudgalyayana both renounced the world on the same day and in the beginning were disciples of the religious skeptic Sanjaya Belatthaputta. They left Sanjaya's tutelage because it did not address their unresolved imperative of ending ultimate suffering.

Sariputra and Maudgalyayana went on to become Buddhist arahants, "ones foremost in wisdom," or saints, and are often shown together with the Buddha. Several sutras describe interactions between the three.

Sariputra was highly respected for his teaching, and is considered one of the most important disciples of the Buddha. He was awarded the title of "General of the Dharma" (Pāli: Dhammasenāpati) for his propagation of the teachings and is regarded as the founder of the Abhidamma tradition.

Maudgalyayana was reputedly a master of supernatural powers. Varying accounts have him, for example, speaking with the deceased; he did this so he could explain to them their horrific conditions and how their suffering came about. He hoped that by doing this they would be released from their suffering. He was able to use other powers of his, such as mind-reading, to give good and fitting advice to his students.