Sariputta

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Sāriputta Stupa of Nalanda

Shariputta or Śāriputta (Pāḷi, literally "son of Śāri", Sanskrit "Śāriputra") was one of the two main disciples of the Buddha . Shariputta is considered the "right hand" of Buddha in the Buddhist tradition and was named by him as the most powerful of his male disciples in wisdom, while Mahamoggallana was the male student with the strongest higher spiritual powers . Shariputta received the title Dhammasenapati ("General of the Teaching") during his lifetime for his ability to pass on the teaching ( Dhamma ). Shariputta attained arahatship ( nibbana ) during a teaching presentation of the Buddha that is narrated in Majjhima-Nikaya 74.

Life

Early years and entry into the Buddha's order

Before the Buddha's birth, Sariputta was born in a village near the city of Rajagaha (today: Rajgir ) in Nalanda , his parents were the Brahmin couple Rupasari and Vaganta, who gave him the name Upatissa. On the same day his later friend Mahamoggallana was born into another Brahmin family in a neighboring village as Kolita. Sariputta had three brothers (Cunda, Upasena and Revata) and three sisters (Cala, Upacala and Sisupacala) who later also entered the Buddha's order and became Arhants . Since Sariputta's mother, unlike his father, is mentioned a few times in sutta comments, while nothing is said about him apart from his name, it can be assumed that he died early.

As young men, Sariputta and Mahamoggallana took part in a festival in Rajagaha, as they do every year. As he watched the games and dances of the festival, Sariputta thought of his own death and wondered whether it would be better to spend his time in other ways. His friend noticed the change in Sariputta's mood and when he spoke to him about it and Sariputta told him about his thoughts, Mahamoggallana said that the exact same thought had occurred to him. So they both decided to give up their worldly life and become Samanas , and made a brotherly promise that whoever found the way to liberation first would tell the other immediately.

They decided to become a student of the ascetic Señjayo, who was living in Rajagaha with 250 (Samana) followers at that time. One day the venerable Assaji, who was one of the 5 first monks to enter the Buddha's order, went on alms in Rajagaha. Sariputta saw him and was so impressed by his demeanor that he asked him who his teacher was and what he was teaching. After telling him that Buddha was his teacher, he said the following short verses about the teaching:

“Of the things that have arisen as a result
the Tathagata [= Buddha] knows the cause
And also how they stop again:
That is the teaching of the great ascetic. "

While listening to these verses, which are a short version of the 2nd noble truth (of the arising of suffering) and the 3rd noble truth (of the end of suffering) or dependent arising , Sariputta realized the stream entry (see Nirvana - Levels of Salvation ). He went to Mahamoggallana and told him what had happened, whereupon Mahamoggallana also entered the stream.

Sariputta and Mahamoggallana then informed the 250 followers of their former teacher Señjayo that they had decided to join the Buddha's order. They then said that they would then also join the order, since they saw the two as their role models.

When Señjayo heard that they wanted to join the Buddha, he asked Sariputta and Mahamoggallana to lead the group with him in order to change their minds. But they declined the offer, said that Buddha was now their teacher, and went to the bamboo grove near Rajagaha, where the Buddha was currently staying and which had been donated to the order of King Bimbisara of Magadha as a secluded place to stay for the monks and nuns .

“When the Lord [= Buddha] saw Sariputta and Moggallana approaching from a distance, he said to the monks: 'The two friends Kolita and Upatissa are coming, you monks, they will become my disciples, the highest and best two.'
…
Sariputta and Moggallana came to the Blessed One and fell down before him, they bowed their heads to his feet and said:
'We want to lead the holy life with the Venerable Blessed One, we want to be accepted as monks.'
'Come, you monks,' said the Blessed One, 'the teaching is well presented, take on the holy life to put an end to all suffering.'
That was the acceptance into the order for the venerable. "

Attaining arahantship

After his ordination, Sariputta stayed near Rajagaha in the Sukarakhata Cave on the slope of the Vulture Mountain (Gijjhakuta). From there he made his alms rounds into the city and also had the opportunity to hear teachings from the Buddha. According to the Buddha, who describes Sariputta's practice in Majjhima-Nikaya 111, he gradually reached the 8 Jhanaa within two weeks , the various factors of which he carefully analyzed. Sariputta says of himself that his progress in practice has been effortless and associated with quick understanding. Two weeks after his ordination he was present while the Buddha was giving a discourse to a nephew of Sariputta and at the end of the lecture he realized the arahantship :

“On that occasion the venerable Sariputta stood behind the Blessed One and fanned him for air. Then he thought: 'The exalted one does indeed speak of overcoming these things from a higher spiritual power; the perfected indeed speaks of giving up these things from a higher spiritual power. '

While the venerable Sariputta was pondering this, his mind was freed from urges by non-attachment. "

The Suttapitaka and Vinayapitaka contain numerous episodes from Sariputta's life, which, however, can only partially be classified chronologically at the beginning or the end of Buddha's 45-year teaching activity, which is why they are grouped under “work”.

Last days

In the last days of his life, Sariputta returned to his native Nalanda to his mother Rupasari, who, unlike her children, who all became Buddhist monks and nuns, remained a staunch Brahman and despised her children for it. The day before his death, she realizes the entry of electricity while talking to him. Like Buddha six months later, he also admonishes with his last words appamadena sampadetha! (Pali: strive without carelessness) those who have not yet achieved the salvation goal of the Buddha's teaching to work tirelessly to realize it.

Act

According to Buddha's traditional statements, every fully awakened person grows a pair of excellent disciples who are his main disciples, act as role models and mentors for the monks, help to promote their spiritual progress, and who, alongside the Buddha himself, are also responsible for the leadership and direction of the religious community are responsible. In the case of the historical Buddha, these were sariputta and mahamoggallana.

As a monk with the greatest wisdom (according to the Buddha's statement, the most powerful nun was the venerable Khema), Sariputta contributed to the systematization and detailed analysis of the Buddha's teaching and was also very gifted at passing on his knowledge to others and to guide them. These skills are referred to in the discourses as "the four analytical knowledge". Thus, after reaching the arhatship , Sariputta invites the assembled monks, if they have any doubts or uncertainties, they are welcome to ask him about it:


“Having been ordained a monk for half a month, I, brothers, already had the analytical knowledge of the true meaning ... the analytical knowledge of lawfulness ... the analytical knowledge of language ... the analytical knowledge of acumen made my own in detail and down to the wording. I proclaim them in many ways, show and illuminate them, make them known, expound them, reveal, analyze and explain them. So if you have a doubt or a lack of clarity, please ask me: I will answer you. ”

Characteristic of his analytical ability is, for example, the discourse Majjhima-Nikaya 24, in which Sariputta conducts a doctrinal conversation with another monk, which later than The basic framework for the important commentary Visuddhimagga by the Sri Lankan monk scholar Buddhaghosa served. Another example is the discourse Digha-Nikaya 34, in which he gives an overview of various important characteristics and categories of the Buddha's teaching.

As teachers and instructors to Sariputta care especially to the progress of the new monks to lead them to the current entry (See nirvana - steps to salvation), but many monks also reached after a teaching statement from him the Arhat , including his own, among other Buddhas Cousin Anuruddha . He also took care of the instruction of lay followers, including z. B. Anathapindika , the most generous supporter of the order, whom he visited when he was sick and gave him final practical instructions on his deathbed.

Buddha said of Sariputta's teaching:

“Get together, you monks, with Sariputta and Moggallana and stay in their company! They are wise monks and helpers to their friars. Sariputta is like a mother who gives birth and Moggallana is like a wet nurse who nourishes the newborn child. Sariputta leads his disciples to the fruit of the entry of the stream and Moggallana guides them to the highest goal. ”

As the main disciple, Buddha Sariputta, together with his childhood friend Moggallana, also sent out on urgent missions to maintain or restore the unity of the order and negligent monks who did not care the rules of the order ( Vinayapitaka ) held to correct. For example, the two main disciples ended the only one-day religious split by Devadatta that occurred during the Buddha's lifetime, or were sent by the Buddha to expel monks at Kitagiri who lived a life that contradicted the rules of the order. In addition, the Buddha expected them to take care of the order when he was not present:

"It is so that either I or Sariputta and Moggallana should take care of the community of monks."

Sariputta Buddha also suggested issuing rules of the order so that the order of monks and nuns might last for a long time.

Meaning in Buddhism today

In many Theravada Buddhist monasteries and temples, to the right and left of a Buddha statue, there are also statues of two monks who represent Sariputta and Mahamoggallana in the position next to Buddha, which they also held during their lives. They are similarly known and revered in countries where Theravada is widespread, such as B. in Christianity the apostles Jesus .
In Mahayana , Sariputta is also honored as a loyal follower of Buddha, but on the other hand in some Mahayana sutras such as B. the Vimalakirti-Sutra seen as a representative of the Hinayana and thus - in contrast to the Buddha's statements about Sariputta - also partly represented as ignorant or not very wise.

Appreciation by Buddha

"At the head of my disciples who are powerful in wisdom is Sariputta."

“Monks, Sariputta is wise. Sariputta has great wisdom. Sariputta has vast wisdom; Sariputta has joyful wisdom; Sariputta has quick-witted wisdom; Sariputta possesses discerning wisdom; Sariputta possesses pervasive wisdom ...
If one were to rightly say of anyone: 'He has achieved mastery and perfection in noble virtue, he has achieved mastery and perfection in noble mind collection, he has achieved mastery and perfection in noble wisdom, he has mastery and Perfection attained in noble liberation ', Sariputta is indeed the one of whom one should rightly say this ...
If one rightly wanted to say of anyone:' He is the true Son of the Exalted, born of his speech, born of the Dhamma formed by the Dhamma, the heir to the Dhamma, not an heir in material goods. ' Indeed, Sariputta is the one about whom one should rightly say this ...
According to me, O monks, Sariputta turns the wheel of Dhamma with full justification as I have turned it. "

“A faithful devotee, you monks, who admonishes her only, beloved, dear son, should rightly admonish him: 'Dear, may you become like Citta , the householder or Hatthaka of Alavaka', for they are the standard and model for my males Lay followers. 'But if you prefer to move out of the house into homelessness [= become a monk], then you should become like Sāriputta and Moggallana.' Because Sariputta and Moggallana are the yardstick and role model for my disciples. "

"May, monks, the monk filled with confidence, have such a right wish: 'May I become like Sariputta and Moggallana!', For Sariputta and Moggallana are the standard and role model for my disciples." "

“At that time the Blessed One was staying with the Vajjers near Ukkaccela on the bank of the Ganges with a large community of monks, shortly after Sariputta and Moggallana had died out ... and turned to the monks:

'This assembly seems empty to me, monks. After Sariputta and Moggallana are extinguished, my assembly, monks, is empty of them. Whichever area Sariputta and Moggallana stayed in, nothing was left to be desired. Those who, you monks, were saints, fully awakened in bygone times, these exalted ones all had such an excellent pair of disciples as I in Sariputta and Moggallana. Those who, you monks, will be saints, fully awakened in future times, all these exalted ones will have such an excellent pair of disciples as I in Sariputta and Moggallana.
It is something amazing, you monks, among the disciples, it is something extraordinary, you monks, among the disciples, how they fulfilled the teachings and exhortations of the master, as they were given to the fourfold congregation [Note: monks, nuns as well as male and female . Lainen followers] were dear, welcomed, held and valued by her. '"

Appreciation by Buddhists

“Through work, clear knowledge, truth and through virtue, the highest way of life,
only through this do people become pure, not through birth and possession.
Therefore, whoever is a wise man who is concerned about his own salvation, examine
the doctrine entirely from the bottom up; then he becomes pure just
because Sariputta
came to the other bank as a monk with clear wisdom, through virtue and through peace of heart and is first among all. ”
- lay followers Anathapindika

“Who, oh Lord, should not hold Sariputta in high esteem unless he is foolish, deluded, stupid and completely wrong of mind.
Sariputta is full of wisdom. Sariputta has great wisdom ... comprehensive wisdom ... joyful wisdom ... quick-witted wisdom ... discerning wisdom ... pervasive wisdom.
Sariputta is frugal, content, he loves seclusion, does not need sociability, is full of energy, eloquent, a good listener, and says when something is bad. ”
- Ananda

"In Buddha's direction there is no one except you who answers questions so well, with the exception of the monk Sariputta, the marshal of the teaching."
- King Menandros to monk Nagasena in the 2nd century BC. In the Milindapañha

"Even among the arahats who are free from all defilements of passion and ignorance, Sariputta shines like the full moon in the starry sky."
- Nyanaponika Mahathera (1901–1994)

See also

literature

  • Nyanaponika Mahathera, Hellmuth Hecker : The disciples of Buddha. The life, work and legacy of the 24 most important disciples of the Awakened One ("Great disciples of the Buddha"). OW Barth-Verlag, Munich 2000, ISBN 3-502-61019-3 .

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Nyanaponika / Hecker: The Disciples of Buddha, p. 63
  2. ↑ Mahavagga 1:23 Vinayapitaka
  3. ↑ Mahavagga 1:23 Vinayapitaka
  4. ↑ Mahavagga 1:24 Vinayapitaka
  5. ↑ Anguttara-Nikaya IV, 168
  6. ↑ Majjhima-Nikaya 74
  7. ↑ Nyanaponika / Hecker: The Disciples of Buddha, p. 64
  8. ↑ Theragata 1017
  9. ↑ Digha-Nikaya 14, Samyutta-Nikaya 47, 14
  10. ↑ Anguttara-Nikaya I, 24
  11. ^ Anguttara-Nikaya IV, 173
  12. ↑ see e.g. B. Udana 7: 1. Theragata 81 and accompanying commentary, Anguttara-Nikaya III, 128
  13. ↑ Samyutta-Nikaya 55:26
  14. ↑ Majjhima-Nikaya 143
  15. ↑ Majjhima-Nikaya 141
  16. ^ Culla-Vagga VII, 2-5 Vinayapitaka
  17. ^ Culla-Vagga I, 13 Vinayapitaka
  18. ↑ Majjhima-Nikaya 67
  19. ↑ suttavibhanga Para 1 Vinayapitaka
  20. ↑ Anguttara-Nikaya I, 24
  21. ↑ Majjhima-Nikaya 111
  22. ↑ Samyutta-Nikaya 17:23
  23. ^ Anguttara-Nikaya II, 131
  24. ↑ Samyutta-Nikaya 47:14
  25. ↑ Majjhima-Nikaya 143
  26. ↑ Samyutta-Nikaya 2:29
  27. ↑ Milindapañha 420
  28. ↑ Nyanaponika / Hecker: The Disciples of Buddha, p. 34
personal data
SURNAME Sariputta
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Shariputta; Śāriputta
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Indian early Buddhist
DATE OF BIRTH 6th century BC BC or 5th century BC Chr.
DATE OF DEATH 5th century BC Chr.