The place of the discourses of the arahant sāriputta as represented in the majjhimanikāya.
Date
2018-04-03
Authors
Vijitha, M.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Peradeniya
Abstract
The prime concern of this paper is to document and reconstruct the role of the Arahant Sāriputta, the chief disciple of the Buddha and the General of the Dhamma (Dhammasenāpati), paying special attention to his discourses and the other discourses as recorded in the Majjhimanikāya. Both Sāriputta and Moggallāna remained the Buddha's faithful disciples until their death. The Pāli commentaries present a close friendship between Sāriputta and Moggallāna. And also they provide a detailed account about his life and intuition rather than the Canonical texts. The Brahmin youths were born on the same day and were named as Upatissa and Kolita. Sāriputta himself introduces Puṇṇamantāniputta his name as Upatissa. The Theravada Buddhist Vinaya reports about the conversion of Sāriputta after meeting with the Arahant Assaji. He is recognized as the foremost among the Buddha's disciples who possessed great wisdom. He was highly praised by the Buddha for his unique qualities as recorded in various places of the Canon especially even in the Majjhimanikāya. He could explain the four forms of logical analysis (paṭisambhidā) in various ways. The four discourse in the Samyuttanikāya also explains some special characteristics of Sāriputta. The Saṇgīti and Dasuttara sutta-s of the Dīghanikāya are also attributed to Sāriputta. On some occasions, the Buddha merely suggested the topics and Sariputta explained them in details such as the Dhammadāyāda, Anaṅgana, Mahāgosiṅga, Mahāvedalla, Sevitabbā'sevitabba discourses. The Anupadasutta shows his profound knowledge of the Dhamma and spiritual maturity. It further says that he is the Buddha's own son, born of his mouth, born of Dhamma, formed by Dhamma, an heir to Dhamma, not an heir to material things. In the Saccavibhaṃgasutta, the Buddha instructs the monks to associate Sāriputta and Moggallāna who are wise men and patrons. Sāriputta is like a mother to them because he guides them in the fruit of Stream winning. Except those discourses the Anangaṇa, Sammādiṭṭhi, Mahāhatthipadopama, Gulissāni, Dhanañjāni, Anāthapiṇḍikovāda, Chaṇṇovāda are spoken by Sāriputta. They can directly be assigned to him. These suttas emphasize that how he trained and advised the disciples as the Buddha recommended. The researcher attempts to survey literature relevant to this study namely, the primary Buddhist sources, scholarly articles and books written on the field. Through careful analysis of facts and information provided in these text, the research will discuss how these discourses could be utilized for the above purpose.
Description
Keywords
Majjhimanikāya , Sāriputta , Moggallāna
Citation
PGIHS-Resrch Congress -Proceedings 2018, University of Peradeniya, p.44