Maudgalyayana
Foremost male disciple of the Buddha, known for psychic powers.
Maudgalyāyana (Pali: Moggallāna), also known as Mahāmaudgalyāyana or by his birth name Kolita, was one of the Buddha's closest disciples. He is considered the second of the Buddha's two foremost male disciples, together with Śāriputra, and is known for his psychic powers and teaching methods.
- born
- Village of Kolita (also known as Kulika, now identified as Juafardih near Nalanda)
- died
- Age 84, killed by a rival sect
- field
- Buddhist monasticism, teaching, meditation
- nationality
- Indian
- known_for
- Foremost male disciple of the Buddha, psychic powers, filial piety, association with the ghost festival
Lore & Background
Maudgalyāyana was born in the village of Kolita, son of Mogallāni and the village chief. He and his childhood friend Upatiṣya (later Śāriputra) became spiritual wanderers after a festival sparked disenchantment. They studied under the mendicant Sañjaya Vairatiputra but left unsatisfied. After splitting up to search for truth, Upatiṣya met the Buddhist monk Aśvajit, who recited a verse on causation that led Upatiṣya to the first stage of enlightenment. Upatiṣya then told Maudgalyāyana, who also attained that stage. Both ordained under the Buddha, along with five hundred of Sañjaya's students. Maudgalyāyana attained full enlightenment one to two weeks later, after overcoming drowsiness through the Buddha's advice and meditating on the elements.
Reader's Guide
Maudgalyāyana's significance lies in his role as the Buddha's second foremost male disciple, complementing Śāriputra as a teacher. He is renowned for his psychic powers, which he used in teaching, and for reuniting the monastic community after Devadatta's schism. His violent death at age 84, attributed to karma from killing his parents in a past life, underscores Buddhist teachings on cause and effect. Post-canonical texts popularized his filial piety through a story of transferring merits to his mother, leading to the ghost festival tradition in many Buddhist countries. He is also associated with meditation, Abhidharma texts, and the Dharmaguptaka school. Relics attributed to him, discovered in the 19th century, are widely venerated. His female counterpart is Utpalavarṇā.
Did You Know?
- Maudgalyāyana is described in the Pali Canon as having a skin color like a blue lotus or rain cloud, though some scholars believe this originally referred to dark skin.
- He was killed at age 84 by a rival sect, a death explained in scriptures as karmic result of killing his parents in a previous life.
- A popular post-canonical account of him transferring merits to his mother led to the ghost festival tradition in many Buddhist countries.
- In the Lotus Sutra, the Buddha predicts that Maudgalyāyana will become a Buddha in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Maudgalyayana?
Maudgalyayana (Pali: Moggallāna), born with the name Kolita, was an Indian monk who rose to become one of the Buddha's two chief male disciples alongside Śāriputra. He is also called Mahāmaudgalyāyana in later Buddhist literature.
What was Maudgalyayana known for in terms of abilities and role?
He was celebrated throughout the Buddhist canon for his extraordinary psychic and supernatural powers, which he employed to aid the Buddha in teaching and to assist beings across the various realms. His primary monastic role centered on meditation mastery and skilled instruction of fellow monks.
How did Maudgalyayana's life end?
At the age of 84, he was killed by members of a rival ascetic sect who ambushed and attacked him. This violent death is a well-known episode in his biographical accounts within the Buddhist tradition.
Why is Maudgalyayana considered important in Buddhism?
As the foremost disciple in psychic attainment, he stands as a model of what dedicated meditation can achieve. His stories of filial devotion—especially his efforts to rescue his deceased mother from the realm of hungry ghosts—have made him a central figure in East Asian Buddhist practice and devotion.
What is Maudgalyayana's connection to the Ullambana (ghost) festival?
His narrative of generating merit to liberate his mother from suffering in the hungry-ghost realm forms the foundational story behind the annual Ullambana observance. This tradition, especially prominent in East Asian Buddhism, encourages practitioners to dedicate merit to their deceased ancestors each year.
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