Buddha and Bodhisattva Illustrations

Author: He Qian San
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-05-22
Features: (IV) The Wise Sariputra
Sariputra was one of the "Ten Great Disciples" of the Buddha and was deeply trusted by him. His name means "Duck-heron's Child" or "Autumn Dew Child." His mother was the daughter of a Brahmin scholar in Rajagriha, the capital of Magadha. When he was born, his eyes were remarkably similar to those of a sariputra bird, and he was named Sariputra. He was also called Upavita or Upatissa. According to the Buddha's Life Collection, Sariputra had a dignified appearance from a young age and, as a teenager, practiced various skills and became proficient in the Four Vedas. At the age of sixteen, he could persuade other theorists with his words, making them submit to his reasoning. His fellow clan members followed him and learned from him. In his youth, he became close friends with Maudgalyayana and often traveled together to seek teachers and learn the Dharma. Later, they joined the monk Sariputra and became disciples of the ascetic Sanjaya Velama. After only seven days and nights of studying, Sariputra mastered the teachings, showing his extraordinary wisdom. Many in the assembly regarded him as a leader, but Sariputra knew he had not yet achieved true enlightenment. At that time, the Buddha Shakyamuni had recently attained enlightenment and was staying in the Bamboo Grove Monastery in Rajagriha. His disciple Ananda went into the city with a bowl to beg for food. Sariputra saw his dignified bearing and steady gait and asked him who his teacher was and what Dharma he practiced. Ananda told him about the Pratītyasamutpāda (Dependent Origination) taught by the Buddha, which made Sariputra understand the principle of anātman (no-self). Sariputra, along with Maudgalyayana, each led 250 disciples to the Bamboo Grove Monastery to take refuge in the Buddha Shakyamuni.
After taking refuge in the Buddha, Sariputra often accompanied him, helping to teach and convert people. Among the disciples, he was renowned for his wisdom. The A?guttara Nikāya says, "His wisdom is boundless, resolving all doubts." Therefore, he was known as the "Wise Sariputra" among the disciples. According to the scriptures, Sariputra was knowledgeable in the scriptures of external teachers and often used his extraordinary eloquence to subdue the red-eyed Brahmānical heretics, leading Suddhodana the Elder to take refuge in the Buddha and donate a large sum of money to build Jetavana Monastery. Sariputra's wisdom and eloquence were superior to those of the other disciples, and he was praised by the Buddha many times. When Rahula was young, the Buddha asked Rahula to take Sariputra as his teacher and receive the novice precepts. The scriptures record that once, Sariputra returned from begging with Rahula and other novices. The Buddha noticed Rahula's unusual complexion and realized that the offerings from the faithful had been unevenly distributed. He said to Sariputra, "In the Sangha of the Six Harmonies, the elders should take more care of the young monks and novices." Sariputra immediately agreed, realizing he had indeed been negligent. He sincerely accepted the Buddha's guidance.
On another occasion, a monk slandered Sariputra. When the Buddha asked the monk to repent for his words, Sariputra respectfully said, "Respected Buddha! The disciple is now nearly eighty years old. Looking back at my life, I have never killed any living beings, nor have I lied for my own gain. The vast earth can encompass all things, no matter what impure things are placed upon it, it will not refuse. Even filthy excrement, pus, and blood, it accepts without complaint." Then, he kindly said to the monk who had slandered him, "Venerable one! In the Buddha's teachings, repentance carries great merit. If a person truly repents, it can change..."