Aśvajit
Aśvajit was one of the first five arhants, or enlightened disciples, of Gautama Buddha. He is particularly known for his role in converting Śāriputra and Maudgalyāyana, who became the Buddha's chief male disciples. Aśvajit lived in northern India during the 6th century BCE.
Key Facts
- ›He was one of the first five disciples to attain enlightenment (arhantship) alongside Gautama Buddha.
- ›Aśvajit's teaching of a short verse led to the enlightenment of Śāriputra, one of the Buddha's chief disciples.
- ›He was born into a scholar family and was present at the reading of Prince Siddhartha's (the future Buddha's) fortune.
- ›He initially left Siddhartha during the latter's ascetic practices but rejoined him after his enlightenment.
- ›Aśvajit attained arhantship at the preaching of the Anattalakkhana Sutra.
- ›He lived in the region of what is now Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in northern India.
Important Relationships
- Gautama Buddha
- Śāriputra
- Maudgalyāyana
- Kaundinya
- Bhaddiya
- Vappa
- Mahanama
- Suddhodana
- Nigantha Saccaka
Verse On Causation and Cessation
Kapilavastu, Uruvela, Sarnath, Rajagaha, Vesali
Gautama Buddha
Sanskrit, Pali
Bhikkhu Vows
About Aśvajit
Aśvajit, also known as Assaji in Pali, was one of the earliest and most significant disciples of Gautama Buddha. He was among the first five arhants, individuals who had achieved liberation from the cycle of rebirth.
Life and Historical Context
Aśvajit hailed from a scholar family in northern India, in the region now corresponding to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. His father was one of the scholars consulted by King Suddhodana to predict the future of his son, Siddhartha (the future Buddha). While most scholars predicted Siddhartha would become a great monarch or religious leader, only Kaundinya confidently stated he would become a Buddha. Following Siddhartha's renunciation of worldly life, Aśvajit, along with Kaundinya, Bhaddiya, Vappa, and Mahanama, joined him in his ascetic practices at Uruvela. However, they left Siddhartha when he abandoned extreme asceticism to follow the Middle Way, believing he had become indulgent.
Arahantship and Key Contributions
After Siddhartha attained enlightenment and became the Buddha, he visited the five former companions at Sarnath. There, he preached the Four Noble Truths and the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutra, leading them to become the first five bhikkhus (monks) of the Sangha. Aśvajit was the last of the group to fully grasp the teachings, requiring further explanation from the Buddha alongside Mahanama. He eventually attained arahanthood, the highest spiritual realization, along with the other four, after hearing the Anattalakkhana Sutra.
Perhaps Aśvajit's most profound contribution was the conversion of Śāriputra and Maudgalyāyana. While on an alms round in Rajagaha, Śāriputra, actively seeking enlightenment, was struck by Aśvajit's serene demeanor. Following him, Śāriputra was taught a profound verse by Aśvajit, which encapsulated the essence of the Buddha's teachings on causality and cessation. This verse enabled Śāriputra to attain sotapanna, the first stage of arhantship, and subsequently, he and Maudgalyāyana became the Buddha's two chief male disciples. Aśvajit continued to be highly venerated by Śāriputra throughout his life.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Aśvajit?
Aśvajit was one of the first five disciples of Gautama Buddha to achieve enlightenment (arhantship). He is recognized for his significant role in the early Buddhist community.
What is Aśvajit most famous for?
Aśvajit is most famous for his conversion of Śāriputra and Maudgalyāyana, who became the Buddha's two chief male disciples. This conversion occurred after Śāriputra was impressed by Aśvajit's demeanor and heard a teaching from him.
When and where did Aśvajit live?
Aśvajit lived during the 6th century BCE in northern India, specifically in the regions now corresponding to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
How did Aśvajit become a disciple of the Buddha?
Aśvajit was part of a group of scholars' sons who joined Siddhartha in ascetic practices after he renounced his princely life. Although they left Siddhartha when he abandoned extreme self-mortification, they later reunited with him after his enlightenment at Sarnath.
What teaching did Aśvajit impart to Śāriputra?
Aśvajit shared a short verse that summarized the Buddha's teaching on causation and cessation: 'Of all those things that from a cause arise, / Tathagata the cause thereof has told; / And how they cease to be, that too he tells, / This is the teaching of the Great Recluse.'
What was Aśvajit's relationship with Śāriputra after his conversion?
Śāriputra held Aśvajit in high veneration. He would show respect by extending his clasped hands in supplication towards the direction where Aśvajit resided and would turn his head in that direction when sleeping.
Related Buddhists
Chandaka
Chandaka, also known as Channa, was a royal servant and head charioteer to Prince Siddhartha, who would become the Buddha. He played a crucial role in Siddhartha's encounters with the Four Sights, which prompted his renunciation of worldly life. Later, Chandaka became a Buddhist monk himself and achieved the status of an arahant.
Citta
Upāsaka Citta was a prominent male lay disciple of the Buddha, alongside Hatthaka of Alavi, and is recognized as the foremost among lay followers in teaching the Dharma. A wealthy merchant from Savatthi, Citta achieved the status of an Anāgāmi (Non-Returner) and demonstrated a profound understanding of Buddhist teachings through his own practice and enlightened experience.
Ānanda
Ānanda was a principal attendant and one of the ten principal disciples of the Buddha, renowned for his exceptional memory. He is credited with recalling and reciting the Buddha's teachings, forming the basis of the Sutta-Piṭaka, and is thus known as the Treasurer of the Dhamma. Ānanda also played a significant role in the establishment of the order of bhikkhunīs (female monastics).