Maudgalyayana facts for kids
Statue of Moggallana, depicting his dark skin color (blue, black).
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| Religion | Buddhism |
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| School | all |
| Dharma names | (Mahā) Moggallāna Thera, Maudgalyāyana Sthavira |
Quick facts for kids Personal |
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| Born | year unknown Kolita village, Magadha (today in the Indian State of Bihar) |
| Died | c. 486 BCE Kālasilā Cave, Magadha |
| Parents | Mother: Moggalī, father: name unknown |
| Senior posting | |
| Title | Foremost disciple, left hand side chief disciple of Sakyamuni Buddha; second chief disciple of Sakyamuni Buddha |
| Religious career | |
| Teacher | Sakyamuni Buddha |
| Students | many, including Rāhula Thera or Rāhula Sthavira |
Maudgalyāyana, also known as Mahāmaudgalyāyana, was one of the Buddha's closest disciples. Described as a contemporary of disciples such as Subhuti, Śāriputra, and Mahākasyapa, he is considered the second of the Buddha's two foremost male disciples, together with Śāriputra. Traditional accounts relate that Maudgalyāyana and Śāriputra become spiritual wanderers in their youth. After having searched for spiritual truth for a while, they come into contact with the Buddhist teaching through verses that have become widely known in the Buddhist world. Eventually they meet the Buddha himself and ordain as monks under him. Maudgalyāyana attains enlightenment shortly after that.
Maudgalyayana and Śāriputra have a deep spiritual friendship. They are depicted in Buddhist art as the two disciples that accompany the Buddha, and they have complementing roles as teachers. As a teacher, Maudgalyayana is known for his psychic powers, and he is often depicted using these in his teaching methods. In many early Buddhist canons, Maudgalyāyana is instrumental in re-uniting the monastic community after Devadatta causes a schism. Furthermore, Maudgalyāyana is connected with accounts about the making of the first Buddha image. Maudgalyāyana dies at the age of eighty-four, killed through the efforts of a rival sect. This violent death is described in Buddhist scriptures as a result of Maudgalyāyana's karma of having killed his own parents in a previous life.
Through post-canonical texts, Maudgalyāyana became known for his filial piety through a popular account of him transferring his merits to his mother. This led to a tradition in many Buddhist countries known as the ghost festival, during which people dedicate their merits to their ancestors. Maudgalyāyana has also traditionally been associated with meditation and sometimes Abhidharma texts, as well as the Dharmaguptaka school. In the nineteenth century, relics were found attributed to him, which have been widely venerated.
Images for kids
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The Buddha gave Maudgalyāyana the responsibility to train the novice Rahula, the Buddha's son, here depicted in the middle.
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Floating lanterns made from lotus leaves: people make merits and transfer merit through several ceremonies, so the spirits may be reborn in a better rebirth.
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In the 19th century, archaeologist Alexander Cunningham discovered bone fragments attributed to Maudgalyāyana and Śāriputra.
See also
In Spanish: Maudgalyayana para niños
