Ten principal disciples

Buddha and his disciples; Kandy, Sri Lanka.

The ten principal disciples of Gautama Buddha are identified in some Buddhist sources. Depending on the scripture, the disciples included in this group vary.

According to the Vimalakirti Sutra, this list includes;

1. Shariputra

   Śāripūtra was foremost in the development of wisdom (prajna).

2. Maudgalyayana

   Maudgalyāyana was formost in the development of supernatural powers (ṛddhi).

3. Mahākāśyapa

   Mahākāśyapa was foremost in ascetic training (dhutanga). After the death of Shakyamuni Buddha, he led the First Buddhist council which codified the Buddha's teachings.

4. Subhuti

   In the Pali tradition, Subhuti is considered the disciple who was foremost in being "worthy of gifts" and "living remote and in peace". In the Sanskrit tradition, he is considered foremost in understanding emptiness (śūnyatā).

5. Purna

   Purna was foremost in preaching the dharma.

6. Kātyāyana

   Kātyāyana was foremost in explaining the brief discourses of the Buddha.

7. Aniruddha

   Aniruddha was foremost in the development of clairvoyance (divyacakṣus) and the practice of the four foundations of mindfulness (satipatthana). He was a cousin of Shakyamuni Buddha who became a monk at the same time as Ananda.

8. Upali

   Upali was foremost among the disciples in his knowledge of the monastic code of conduct (vinaya). At the First Buddhist Council, he was asked by Mahakashyapa to recite all of the rules of the monastic code (vinaya).

9. Rāhula

   Rāhula was the only son of the Buddha. He was the first to become a "novice monk" (śrāmaṇera) and was known for his eagerness to learn.

10. Ananda

    Ananda was foremost in having retentive memory. He was the Buddha's cousin and personal attendant.