The Buddha describes the foremost of his bhikkhu disciples in various categories.

AN 1.219-234  Catuttha Etadagga vagga - The Chapter on the Foremost (Fourth)

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.”

Qualities:

Inspiration

Inspiration

A mental quality characterized by a sudden burst of creative insight or understanding, often leading to innovative ideas or solutions.

Also known as: eloquence, intuition, ingenuity, wit, creativity
Pāli: paṭibhāna
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Learned

Learned

One who has broad learning and retention of the Dhamma, gained through hearing, reciting, and carefully investigating the teachings. Such learning penetrates their meaning through discernment and serves as a strong support for practice.

Also known as: having knowledge, well studied
Pāli: bahussuta, suta
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Mindfulness

Mindfulness

Remembering to be present with continuous effort, observing the body, feelings, mind, and mental qualities in and of themselves.

Also known as: recollecting, remembering, keeping in mind, presence, awareness
Pāli: sati, anupassanā
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Psychic power

Psychic power

Supernormal capacities resulting from a practice of collectedness rooted in aspiration, determination, purification of mind, and investigation of phenomena.

Also known as: supernormal abilities, psychic ability, spiritual power
Pāli: iddhi, iddhimant
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Sense restraint

Sense restraint

A practice of guarding the sense doors by not grasping at the general features or details of sense objects when seeing, hearing, sensing, and cognizing.

Also known as: guarding the sense faculties, watching the sense doors, not grasping at the prominent features or details of sense objects, moderation in eating
Pāli: indriya saṁvara
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Last updated on November 30, 2025