Sariputta's Conversion

Sariputtas Conversion
By
Sthiramati ([email protected])
August, 2012
Introduction
The Buddha had two chief disciples Sriputta (Skt. riputra) and Moggallna (Skt.
Maudgalyyana). Before becoming disciples of the Buddha, both were disciples of the
monk Sajaya Belahaputta (referred to as Sacaya in this narrative) who apparently had
a large following at that time. There is an interesting story of how both of them became
disciples of the Buddha. This story, entitled Sriputta-Moggallna-Pabbajj-Kath
meaning the story of the renunciation of Sriputta and Moggallna, appears in the
Mahvagga of the Vinayapiaka. The remarkable part of this story is the manner in
which the Buddhas teaching is conveyed to Sriputta who instantly realizes its
profundity. This anecdote is very famous in Buddhism.
An excerpt from this narrative is presented below.
Excerpt from the Sriputta Moggallna Pabbajj Kath
( )

At that time ( ) the renunciate Sacaya ( ) used to dwell
in Rjagaha ( ) with a large assemblage ( ) of

two hundred and fifty monks ( ).
Notes:
Sanskrit = abode of the King i.e. Capital (of Magadha), modern Rjgr
Sanskrit = wandering monk
Sanskrit = half and three, meaning half less than three of 2 ;

probably the origin of the Hindi word , now
Sanskrit = one hundred

,
At that time ( ) Sriputta and Moggallna () lived as
disciples () with the monk Sacaya ( ). Between them
() an agreement was made ( ) whoever first () attains
() immortality (), he () will inform () the other ()

Sthiramati, August 2012
Page 1
Notes:
Sanskrit = conversation, (used with means agreement)
Sanskrit = made (feminine past participle of )
Sanskrit = immortality
Now the monk Assaji ( ), during the morning (), having

dressed (), taking his begging bowl and robe (), entered Rjagaha
( ) for alms (), graceful in his manner () of approaching and
returning (), looking forward and backward (
), drawing in and extending out his arm ( ), with downcast

eyes (), and skillful movements ().
Notes:
Sanskrit (the final consonant is dropped in Pli)
Sanskrit = earlier part of the day, i.e. morning

Sanskrit + = having put on clothes, from (to cover,
wear)
Sanskrit (bowl) - (robe) - (having taken)
Sanskrit = entered
Sanskrit = pleasing
, Sanskrit (towards), (away from ) + (moved)
, Sanskrit (encompassing), (away from) + (seen)
Sanskrit = drawn towards
Sanskrit = extended
Sanskrit = downcast eyes; (down) + (thrown)
Sanskrit = accomplished or skillful () in movements

or postures (). There are four iriypathas or postures, namely walking, standing,
sitting, and lying down
The above is the standard description in the Buddhist suttas of the way in which a well
mannered Bhikkhu conducts himself during his daily begging round.
Page 2

Sriputta () saw () the monk Assaji, ( ),
(same description as in the previous sentence)
Notes:
Sanskrit (
) or
) = saw
,
, , ,
, ?
To the one who had seen him (), this thought occurred () Of those
indeed () in this world () who are enlightened () or have entered the path
towards enlightenment ( ), this Bhikkhu ( ) is one
(). Suppose, indeed, I ( ) having approached this Bhikkhu (
), question him thus ( ) Friend (), on whose account (

) have you renounced ( ), who () is your teacher (), whose
teaching ( ) do you admire ()?
Notes:
Sanskrit = of the one who has seen
Sanskrit = deserving, enlightened
Sanskrit = path
Sanskrit + = entered the path
Sanskrit = another, but here one

Sanskrit = having approached
Sanskrit = teacher
,
,
But then ( ) this thought occurred () to the monk Sriputta (
) This is an improper time () to question this Bhikkhu (

Page 3
), since he, having entered the town (), is going about for alms
(). If indeed I ( ) were to follow this Bhikkhu (
), by whom, among the seekers (), the path has been found (
)?
Notes:
Sanskrit = entered
Sanskrit = should follow him best
understood by the Hindi expression
Sanskrit = desirous of, seeker (of an objective)
Sanskrit = understood, found

, ,

Presently (), Assaji ( ), having completed his alms round (

) in Rajagaha ( ), and having taken his begging bowl (),
returned (). Now (), the monk Sriputta ( )
approached Assaji ( ), and having approached him
() exchanged greetings with him ( ), and

having exchanged well-meaning pleasantries with him (
), he stood to one side ().
Notes:
Sanskrit = together; Adhyy 6.4.95 - : used to derive (
going together), (companion), etc.
Sanskrit = exchanging polite greetings, literally rejoicing together

Sanskrit = pleasant conversation
Sanskrit (?) = excellent, essential
Sanskrit = having exchanged

Sanskrit ( form)
Page 4
,
, , , , ,
, ?
Sriputta (), standing to one side (), said this to the monk Assaji
( ) Friend (), your sense faculties (
) are bright (), and your countenance () is pure () and

clear (). On whose account ( ) have you renounced ( ),
who () is your teacher (), whose teaching ( ) do you admire (
)?
Notes:
Sanskrit = sense organs, faculties
Sanskrit = bright, shining
Sanskrit = countenance, complexion

Sanskrit = highly purified
Sanskrit = highly cleansed, bright, full of good qualities

, , ,
,
(Assaji replied :) Friend (), there () is a great Samaa (), a scion

of the Sakyas (), gone forth from the Sakya family ( ), I have
renounced ( ) on account of that Lord (), that Lord () is
my teacher ( ), and I admire () the teaching of that Lord ( ).
Notes:
Sanskrit = great contemplative (the ramaa tradition was a
tradition parallel to the Vedic tradition in ancient India, represented by Jainism,
Buddhism, Sankhya, and Yoga, although Sankhya and Yoga were later inducted into the
mainstream Vedic tradition. For more, see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shramana).
Sanskrit = scion of the kyas
Sanskrit = family of the kyas
Page 5
, ? , , ,
, ,
(Sriputta:) But then (), what does your teacher ( ) declare (),
what does he proclaim ()?
(Assaji :) Friend (), I ( ) am a new renunciate ( ), just now
come () to this teaching and discipline (), I am not able to explain
( ) the teaching () in detail ( ); however (), I will
explain to you ( ) the essence () in brief ().
Notes:
Sanskrit = recently
Sanskrit = now
Sanskrit = teaching and discipline

Sanskrit = am able to
Sanskrit = in detail
Sanskrit = to explain
Sanskrit = meaning, essence, purport

Sanskrit = in brief
,
,
,
Then the monk Sriputta ( ) said () this to Assaji
( ) Friend (), as you please ()
Speak () a little () or a lot ( ), tell me ( ) only the essence ()

My concern is () only with the essence (), what is the use () of
elaboration ( )?
Notes:
Sanskrit = little
Sanskrit = sign, characteristic

Page 6

,
,
Then Assaji ( ) imparted the following teaching (
) to the monk Sriputta ( ):
Those phenomena () that arise from conditions ( )

The tathgata () explains () their origin ( )
Their cessation too (he explains) ()
Such is the teaching () of the great Samaa ()
Notes:
Sanskrit = all encompassing teaching, from (around), and
(going)
In the verse, the word means phenomenon or more particularly mental
phenomenon. (In general can have several meanings, based on context the most
common ones being teaching, phenomenon, and quality).
Sanskrit = condition
Sanskrit = arising from a condition

Sanskrit = says
Sanskrit = obstruction, ending, cessation

This is an extremely terse and remarkable gist of the Buddhas teaching. Even though
Assaji says that he is a new renunciate, the fact that he could explain it in this form shows
how deep his understanding was. The essence of the Buddhas teaching is that the entire
phenomenal existence is a never ending chain of cause and effect phenomena (for
example pleasure, pain, attachment, desire, etc.) arise depending on other phenomena,
and so on. The stimulus-response mechanism is part of conditioned existence.
Nirva represents the state where there is freedom from this cycle, and is therefore not
dependent on any condition. If it were to depend on conditions, it would exist only as
long as the conditions exist
Page 7

,
Then (), having heard this teaching (), this clear eye of
knowledge (), free of dust and impurities ( ), arose in
Sriputta ( ) Whatever () is subject to arising

(), all that () is subject to cessation ().
The story continues with Sriputta returning to Moggallna, who instantly recognizes
that there is something different about Sriputta. He asks whether he has attained
immortality to which Sriputta replies in the affirmative. Sriputta then describes his
meeting with Assaji to Moggallna, after which both of them decide to become disciples
of the Buddha.
Notes:
Sanskrit = eye
Sanskrit = free of dust ( )
Sanskrit = free of impurity ()

Epilogue
The Sanskrit equivalent of the verse that Assaji spoke:

later on became widely used as inscriptions on stone plaques and caskets throughout the
Buddhist world. In fact, this is how European explorers and archaeologists were able to
establish that Buddhism was a widely prevalent religion. This inscription was observed
in Sarnath, Body Gaya, and other places, leading them to conclude that this was a
standard Buddhist dedication.
Page 8

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Sariputtas Conversion

At that time ( ) the renunciate Sacaya ( ) used to dwell

in Rjagaha ( ) with a large assemblage ( ) of

Sanskrit = half and three, meaning half less than three of 2 ;

() immortality (), he () will inform () the other ()

Now the monk Assaji ( ), during the morning (), having

), drawing in and extending out his arm ( ), with downcast

Sanskrit = earlier part of the day, i.e. morning

Sanskrit = accomplished or skillful () in movements

(). Suppose, indeed, I ( ) having approached this Bhikkhu (

), question him thus ( ) Friend (), on whose account (

Sanskrit = another, but here one

) This is an improper time () to question this Bhikkhu (

Presently (), Assaji ( ), having completed his alms round (

() exchanged greetings with him ( ), and

Sanskrit = exchanging polite greetings, literally rejoicing together

Sanskrit = having exchanged

Sthiramati, August 2012

) are bright (), and your countenance () is pure () and

Sanskrit = countenance, complexion

Sanskrit = highly cleansed, bright, full of good qualities

(Assaji replied :) Friend (), there () is a great Samaa (), a scion

Sthiramati, August 2012

Sanskrit = teaching and discipline

Sanskrit = meaning, essence, purport

Speak () a little () or a lot ( ), tell me ( ) only the essence ()

Sanskrit = sign, characteristic

Those phenomena () that arise from conditions ( )

Sanskrit = arising from a condition

Sanskrit = obstruction, ending, cessation

Sthiramati, August 2012

Sriputta ( ) Whatever () is subject to arising

Sanskrit = free of impurity ()

Sthiramati, August 2012

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