The Buddha describes the foremost of his bhikkhu disciples in various categories.
1.219
“Etadaggaṁ, bhikkhave, mama sāvakānaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ bahussutānaṁ yadidaṁ ānando.
“Bhikkhus, the |foremost::chief, best [agga]| of my bhikkhu disciples among those who are |very learned::well educated, knowledgeable [bahussuta]| is Ānanda.
1.220
… Satimantānaṁ yadidaṁ ānando.
Bhikkhus, the foremost of my bhikkhu disciples among those who are |mindful::who has recollection, is aware, present [satimant]| is Ānanda.
1.221
… Gatimantānaṁ yadidaṁ ānando.
Bhikkhus, the foremost of my bhikkhu disciples among those |with excellent retention::having ability to store [gatimant]| is Ānanda.
1.222
… Dhitimantānaṁ yadidaṁ ānando.
Bhikkhus, the foremost of my bhikkhu disciples among those |with total recall::who are resolute, who are determined [dhitimant]| is Ānanda.
1.223
… Upaṭṭhākānaṁ yadidaṁ ānando.
Bhikkhus, the foremost of my bhikkhu disciples among personal attendants is Ānanda.
1.224
… Mahāparisānaṁ yadidaṁ uruvelakassapo.
Bhikkhus, the foremost of my bhikkhu disciples among those having a large following is Kassapa from Uruvelā.
1.225
… Kulappasādakānaṁ yadidaṁ kāḷudāyī.
Bhikkhus, the foremost of my bhikkhu disciples among those who inspire confidence in families is Kāludāyi.
1.226
… Appābādhānaṁ yadidaṁ bākulo.
Bhikkhus, the foremost of my bhikkhu disciples among those who are seldom sick is Bākula.
1.227
… Pubbenivāsaṁ anussarantānaṁ yadidaṁ sobhito.
Bhikkhus, the foremost of my bhikkhu disciples among those who recollect past lives is Sobhita.
1.228
… Vinayadharānaṁ yadidaṁ upāli.
Bhikkhus, the foremost of my bhikkhu disciples among those who are |experts in Vinaya::keepers of the monastic law [vinayadhara]| is Upāli.
1.229
… Bhikkhunovādakānaṁ yadidaṁ nandako.
Bhikkhus, the foremost of my bhikkhu disciples among those who are instructors of nuns is Nandaka.
1.230
… Indriyesu guttadvārānaṁ yadidaṁ nando.
Bhikkhus, the foremost of my bhikkhu disciples among those who guard the doors of the sense faculties is Nanda.
1.231
… Bhikkhuovādakānaṁ yadidaṁ mahākappino.
Bhikkhus, the foremost of my bhikkhu disciples among those who instruct the bhikkhus is Mahākappina.
1.232
… Tejodhātukusalānaṁ yadidaṁ sāgato.
Bhikkhus, the foremost of my bhikkhu disciples among those who are skilled in the fire element is Sāgata.
1.233
… Paṭibhāneyyakānaṁ yadidaṁ rādho.
Bhikkhus, the foremost of my bhikkhu disciples among those inspiring eloquence is Rādha.
1.234
… Lūkhacīvaradharānaṁ yadidaṁ mogharājā”ti.
Bhikkhus, the foremost of my bhikkhu disciples among those who wear coarse robes is Mogharāja.”
1.219
“Bhikkhus, the |foremost::chief, best [agga]| of my bhikkhu disciples among those who are |very learned::well educated, knowledgeable [bahussuta]| is Ānanda.
1.220
Bhikkhus, the foremost of my bhikkhu disciples among those who are |mindful::who has recollection, is aware, present [satimant]| is Ānanda.
1.221
Bhikkhus, the foremost of my bhikkhu disciples among those |with excellent retention::having ability to store [gatimant]| is Ānanda.
1.222
Bhikkhus, the foremost of my bhikkhu disciples among those |with total recall::who are resolute, who are determined [dhitimant]| is Ānanda.
1.223
Bhikkhus, the foremost of my bhikkhu disciples among personal attendants is Ānanda.
1.224
Bhikkhus, the foremost of my bhikkhu disciples among those having a large following is Kassapa from Uruvelā.
1.225
Bhikkhus, the foremost of my bhikkhu disciples among those who inspire confidence in families is Kāludāyi.
1.226
Bhikkhus, the foremost of my bhikkhu disciples among those who are seldom sick is Bākula.
1.227
Bhikkhus, the foremost of my bhikkhu disciples among those who recollect past lives is Sobhita.
1.228
Bhikkhus, the foremost of my bhikkhu disciples among those who are |experts in Vinaya::keepers of the monastic law [vinayadhara]| is Upāli.
1.229
Bhikkhus, the foremost of my bhikkhu disciples among those who are instructors of nuns is Nandaka.
1.230
Bhikkhus, the foremost of my bhikkhu disciples among those who guard the doors of the sense faculties is Nanda.
1.231
Bhikkhus, the foremost of my bhikkhu disciples among those who instruct the bhikkhus is Mahākappina.
1.232
Bhikkhus, the foremost of my bhikkhu disciples among those who are skilled in the fire element is Sāgata.
1.233
Bhikkhus, the foremost of my bhikkhu disciples among those inspiring eloquence is Rādha.
1.234
Bhikkhus, the foremost of my bhikkhu disciples among those who wear coarse robes is Mogharāja.”
“Etadaggaṁ, bhikkhave, mama sāvakānaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ bahussutānaṁ yadidaṁ ānando.
… Satimantānaṁ yadidaṁ ānando.
… Gatimantānaṁ yadidaṁ ānando.
… Dhitimantānaṁ yadidaṁ ānando.
… Upaṭṭhākānaṁ yadidaṁ ānando.
… Mahāparisānaṁ yadidaṁ uruvelakassapo.
… Kulappasādakānaṁ yadidaṁ kāḷudāyī.
… Appābādhānaṁ yadidaṁ bākulo.
… Pubbenivāsaṁ anussarantānaṁ yadidaṁ sobhito.
… Vinayadharānaṁ yadidaṁ upāli.
… Bhikkhunovādakānaṁ yadidaṁ nandako.
… Indriyesu guttadvārānaṁ yadidaṁ nando.
… Bhikkhuovādakānaṁ yadidaṁ mahākappino.
… Tejodhātukusalānaṁ yadidaṁ sāgato.
… Paṭibhāneyyakānaṁ yadidaṁ rādho.
… Lūkhacīvaradharānaṁ yadidaṁ mogharājā”ti.