THE ARAHAT, VENERABLE SARIPUTTA

THE ARAHAT, VENERABLE SARIPUTTA - THE BUDDHA’S GREAT DISCIPLE


According to the Buddhist teachings, when words such as, friendship, bonds or relationships are addressed, One should note that these relationships of the Noble disciples are maintained through the actions of, non- greed, non-hatred and non- delusion. One good example for this convention is The life story of Ven. Sariputta.





Among the Buddha’s bhikkhu disciples, Venerable Sariputta was the foremost of those who with great wisdom and in the exercise of wisdom. He stood second only to the enlightened One himself. The chief expression of Ven. Sariputta’s wisdom was his faculty in the four analytical knowledge’s *(Catu Patisambida Gnana), which he acquired during the two-week period following his ordination. (AN 4:173). Ven Sariputta excelled not only in personal understanding but also in tasks of teaching and explaining the Dhamma. Because he was so versatile in all these respects, at the conclusion of the “Anupada Sutta” (MN 111), the Buddha could declare him to be his true spiritual son and his chief assistant in the work of “Turning the Wheel of the Dhamma.” The most important contributions made by the Venerable Sariputta to the Buddhist teaching, was his codification of the Abhidhamma.

Personal qualities as gratitude, kindness, helpfulness, and patience won Ven. Sariputta’s many deep relationships which endured through his life as a monk. With Ven Moggallana, the friend and companion of his youth, he maintained intimate ties until death separated them in the very last year of the Buddha’s life. But Venerable Sariputta’s friendships were no way exclusive. According to to the commentary to the “Mahagosinga Sutta” there was also bond of mutual affection between Ven. Sariputta and Ven. Ananda. When Ven. Ananda gave novice ordination to young pupils, he used to take them to Ven. Sariputta to obtain higher ordination under him. Ven. Sariputta did the same in regard to Ven. Ananda, and in that way they had five hundred pupils in common.
Both Venerables exchanged requisites received with each other. Ven. Sariputta’s affection was not one of worldy attachment, but a love for Ven. Ananda’s virtues (guna bhatti). 

Once the Blessed one spoke the following “inspired utterance” in praise of Ven. Sariputta:

"Whose mind stands unmoving as a rock,
Unattached to things that arouse attachment,
Unangered by things that provoke anger,
How can suffering come to one?
Whose mind has been cultivated thus?” 

Among the bhikkhus Ven. Sariputta was outstanding as one who helped others. In the Devadaha Sutta (SN 22.2) Ven. Sariputta did not go on alms round in the early morning hours as the other bhikkhus did. Instead, when they had all gone, he walked around the monastery grounds, and whatever he saw an unswept place, he swept it; whenever refuse had not been removed, he threw it away; and arranged the furniture, beds and chairs in the right order. He did this so that the non-Buddhist ascetics who might visit the monastery would not see any disorderliness and speak in contempt of the Bihkkhus. He went himself to the hall for the sick, and went in search of medicine either by way of the customary alms round or to some appropriate place. When he obtained the medicine he would give it to the novices, saying, “Caring for the sick has been praised by the Master.”

 When going on a journey on foot with the Blessed one, he did not walk at the head of the procession, as the one who thinks, “I am the chief disciple,” but rather he would let the young novices take his bowl and robes and go on ahead and he himself would first attend to those who were old, very young, or unwell, making them apply oil to any sores they might have on their bodies, and leave on the same day or the next with them.

It was in this manner that Venerable Sariputta gave the help of the Dhamma. As a great leader and outstanding spiritual adviser. He brought to the task of guiding others not only as a keen and perspective understanding of the human mind, but also a warm sympathetic interest in other people, which must have been a great encouragement to those under his guidance. Venerable Sariputta had these combined qualities of a perfect teacher with those of a perfect friend…….

• *Catu-Patisambada, means 4 special Analytical Knowledges.(special insights) 1.Attha 2. Dhamma, 3. Niruththi, and Patibhana. 1. True meaning of the terms 2. The law-dhamma ,
   3. The correct use of words, 4. Ability to explain the Dhamma to others correctly. Atta and Dhamma also means cause and effect. Refer to Anguttara Nikaya (4;173) pati + sang+bida.....pati= binding...sang= accumulation..bida=fragmenting....the meaning of "Patisangbida gnana" = seeing the things (name or rupa)