Mr. Altig’s Overview of the Wonderful Dharma of the Lotus Sutra

Ajnata-Kaundinya, Maha-Kashyapa, Uruvilva-Kashyapa, Gaya-Kashyapa, Nadi-Kashyapa, Shariputra, Maha-Maudgalyayana, Maha-Katyayana, Aniruddha, Kapphina, Gavampati, Revata, Pilindavatsa, Bakkula, Maha-Kaushthila, Nanda, Sundarananda, Purna (son of Maitrayani), Subhuti, Ananda, and Rahula are all considered to be arhats in Buddhism.

Ajnata-Kaundinya, Maha-Kashyapa, Uruvilva-Kashyapa, Gaya-Kashyapa, Nadi-Kashyapa were the first five disciples of the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni, who attained arhatship under his guidance. They are considered to be the first five arhats in Buddhism.

Shariputra, Maha-Maudgalyayana, Maha-Katyayana, Aniruddha, Kapphina, Gavampati, Revata, Pilindavatsa, Bakkula, Maha-Kaushthila, Nanda, Sundarananda, Purna (son of Maitrayani), Subhuti, Ananda and Rahula were also the prominent disciples of the historical Buddha and were considered to be the foremost in wisdom, understanding and spiritual attainment among the Buddha’s followers. They were also considered to be arhats who attained enlightenment through the guidance of the Buddha.

In Theravada Buddhism, arhats are considered to be the highest level of spiritual attainment in Buddhism and are considered to be the embodiment of the Buddha’s teachings, who have achieved the full realization of the Four Noble Truths and have eliminated all the defilements, thus, they have reached the state of Nirvana, the ultimate goal of Buddhism. In Mahayana Buddhism, the concept of arhatship is also present, but it is considered to be a lower level of attainment than that of a Buddha. A Buddha is considered to be able to teach and guide all beings on the path to enlightenment, while an arhat can only guide themselves to reach enlightenment.

These arhats, Ajnata-Kaundinya, Maha-Kashyapa, Uruvilva-Kashyapa, Gaya-Kashyapa, Nadi-Kashyapa, Shariputra, Maha-Maudgalyayana, Maha-Katyayana, Aniruddha, Kapphina, Gavampati, Revata, Pilindavatsa, Bakkula, Maha-Kaushthila, Nanda, Sundarananda, Purna (son of Maitrayani), Subhuti, Ananda, and Rahula, are considered to be the foremost examples of spiritual attainment and understanding in Buddhism, and their stories and teachings are still studied and revered by many Buddhists today.

Ajnata-Kaundinya, also known as Kaundinya or Upatissa, was the first of the five ascetics who became the first five followers of the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni. He was the first to attain enlightenment under the Buddha’s guidance, and was considered to be the foremost in wisdom among the Buddha’s followers.

Maha-Kashyapa, also known as Mahakassapa or Mahakaccana, was the second of the five ascetics to become a follower of the Buddha. He was considered to be the foremost in ascetic practice among the Buddha’s followers, and was known for his strict adherence to the monastic code.

Uruvilva-Kashyapa, also known as Uruvilva or Uruvela, was the third of the five ascetics to become a follower of the Buddha. He was known for his deep meditative abilities, and was considered to be the foremost in meditation among the Buddha’s followers.

Gaya-Kashyapa, also known as Gaya or Gayakassapa, was the fourth of the five ascetics to become a follower of the Buddha. He was known for his deep understanding of the Dharma, and was considered to be the foremost in understanding the teaching among the Buddha’s followers.

Nadi-Kashyapa, also known as Nadi or Nadikassapa, was the fifth of the five ascetics to become a follower of the Buddha. He was known for his ability to perform miracles, and was considered to be the foremost in supernatural powers among the Buddha’s followers.

Shariputra, was known for his sharp intelligence, and was considered to be the foremost in wisdom among the Buddha’s followers. He was one of the Buddha’s most prominent disciples and was known for his ability to expound the Dharma in a clear and concise manner.

Maha-Maudgalyayana, also known as Moggallana, was known for his psychic abilities, and was considered to be the foremost in supernatural powers among the Buddha’s followers. He was one of the Buddha’s closest disciples and was known for his ability to understand the teachings of the Buddha intuitively.

Maha-Katyayana, was known for his great devotion to the Buddha and was considered to be the foremost in faith among the Buddha’s followers. He was one of the Buddha’s closest disciples and was known for his ability to explain the Dharma in a clear and concise manner.

Aniruddha, was known for his deep understanding of the Dharma and was considered to be the foremost in understanding the teaching among the Buddha’s followers. He was one of the Buddha’s closest disciples and was known for his ability to understand the teachings of the Buddha intuitively.

Kapphina, was known for his great devotion to the Buddha and was considered to be the foremost in faith among the Buddha’s followers. He was a prominent disciple of the Buddha and was known for his ability to expound the Dharma in a clear and concise manner.

Gavampati, was known for his deep meditative abilities, and was considered to be the foremost in meditation among the Buddha’s followers. He was a prominent disciple of the Buddha and was known for his strict adherence to the monastic code.

Revata, was known for his deep understanding of the Dharma, and was considered to be the foremost in understanding the teaching among the Buddha’s followers. He was a prominent disciple of the Buddha and was known for his ability to explain the Dharma in a clear and concise manner.

Pilindavatsa, was known for his sharp intelligence, and was considered to be the foremost in wisdom among the Buddha’s followers. He was a prominent disciple of the Buddha and was known for his ability to understand the teachings of the Buddha intuitively.

Bakkula, was known for his great devotion to the Buddha, and was considered to be the foremost in faith among the Buddha’s followers. He was a prominent disciple of the Buddha and was known for his ability to expound the Dharma in a clear and concise manner.

Maha-Kaushthila, was known for his deep meditative abilities, and was considered to be the foremost in meditation among the Buddha’s followers. He was a prominent disciple of the Buddha and was known for his strict adherence to the monastic code.

Nanda, was known for his deep understanding of the Dharma, and was considered to be the foremost in understanding the teaching among the Buddha’s followers. He was a prominent disciple of the Buddha and was known for his ability to explain the Dharma in a clear and concise manner.

Sundarananda, was known for his sharp intelligence, and was considered to be the foremost in wisdom among the Buddha’s followers. He was a prominent disciple of the Buddha and was known for his ability to understand the teachings of the Buddha intuitively.

Purna (son of Maitrayani), was known for his great devotion to the Buddha, and was considered to be the foremost in faith among the Buddha’s followers. He was a prominent disciple of the Buddha and was known for his ability to expound the Dharma in a clear and concise manner.

Subhuti, was known for his deep understanding of the emptiness and was considered to be the foremost in understanding the teaching of emptiness among the Buddha’s followers. He was a prominent disciple of the Buddha and was known for his ability to explain the Dharma in a clear and concise manner.

Ananda, was known for his sharp memory and was considered to be the foremost in remembering the teachings of the Buddha among the Buddha’s followers. He was the Buddha’s personal attendant and was known for his ability to recite the teachings of the Buddha from memory.

Rahula, was the only son of the Buddha and was known for his deep understanding of the Dharma, and was considered to be the foremost in understanding the teaching among the Buddha’s followers. He was a prominent disciple of the Buddha and was known for his ability to understand the teachings of the Buddha intuitively.

All of these arhats were considered to be the foremost examples of spiritual attainment and understanding in Buddhism and have played an important role in the spreading of the Buddha’s teachings. Their stories and teachings are still studied and revered by many Buddhists today as a source of inspiration and guidance on the path to enlightenment.