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

AN 1.188-197  Paṭhama Etadagga vagga - The Chapter on the Foremost (First)

1.188

“Etadaggaṁ, bhikkhave, mama sāvakānaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ rattaññūnaṁ yadidaṁ aññāsikoṇḍañño.

“Bhikkhus, the |foremost::chief, best [agga]| of my bhikkhu disciples in |experience::lit. knowing nights [rattaññū]| is |Aññāsi Koṇḍañña::first person to realize the Buddha’s teaching; lit. Koṇḍañña understood [aññāsikoṇḍañña]|.

1.189

Mahāpaññānaṁ yadidaṁ sāriputto.

Bhikkhus, the foremost of my bhikkhu disciples among those with |great wisdom::profound understanding [mahāpaññā]| is |Sāriputta::foremost disciple of the Buddha in great wisdom [sāriputta]|.

1.190

Iddhimantānaṁ yadidaṁ mahāmoggallāno.

Bhikkhus, the foremost of my bhikkhu disciples among those with |psychic power::supernormal abilities [iddhimant]| is |Mahāmoggallāna::foremost disciple of the Buddha in psychic power; lit. Moggallāna the great [mahāmoggallāna]|.

1.191

Dhutavādānaṁ yadidaṁ mahākassapo.

Bhikkhus, the foremost of my bhikkhu disciples among those who advocate ascetic practice is |Mahākassapa::foremost disciple of the Buddha in preaching ascetic practices; lit. Kassapa the great [mahākassapa]|.

1.192

Dibbacakkhukānaṁ yadidaṁ anuruddho.

Bhikkhus, the foremost of my bhikkhu disciples among those with |divine eye::the faculty of clairvoyance, the ability to see beyond the ordinary human range [dibbacakkhu]| is |Anuruddha::foremost disciple of the Buddha in divine eye; also a cousin of the Buddha [anuruddha]|.

1.193

Uccākulikānaṁ yadidaṁ bhaddiyo kāḷigodhāya putto.

Bhikkhus, the foremost of my bhikkhu disciples among |those from eminent families::belonging from families of high rank [uccākulikā]| is Bhaddiya Kāḷigodhāyaputta.

1.194

Mañjussarānaṁ yadidaṁ lakuṇḍaka bhaddiyo.

Bhikkhus, the foremost of my bhikkhu disciples among those with |sweet voice::pleasant voice [mañjussara]| is Bhaddiya Lakuṇḍaka.

1.195

Sīhanādikānaṁ yadidaṁ piṇḍolabhāradvājo.

Bhikkhus, the foremost of my bhikkhu disciples among those who roar a lion’s roar is Piṇḍola Bhāradvāja.

1.196

Dhammakathikānaṁ yadidaṁ puṇṇo mantāṇiputto.

Bhikkhus, the foremost of my bhikkhu disciples among those who speak on the |Dhamma::teachings of the Buddha that point to the nature of reality, the ultimate truth [dhamma]| is |Puṇṇa Mantāṇiputta::foremost disciple in giving Dhamma discourses [puṇṇamantāṇiputta]|.

1.197

saṅkhittena bhāsitassa vitthārena atthaṁ vibhajantānaṁ yadidaṁ mahākaccāno”ti.

Bhikkhus, the foremost of my bhikkhu disciples among those who explain the meaning of what has been said in brief is Mahākaccāna.”

Qualities:

Patience

Patience

A quality of calm endurance that bears hardship, delay, and harshness without resentment. It is the strength to remain composed and gentle under provocation, grounded in wisdom and compassion.

Also known as: endurance, tolerance, forbearance
Pāli: khanti, khama
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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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Wisdom

Wisdom

Lived understanding and sound judgment that steers the mind away from suffering, distinct from mere accumulation of facts.

Also known as: (of a person) wise, astute, intelligent, learned, skilled, firm, stable, steadfast, an experiential understanding of the four noble truths
Pāli: paññā, vijjā, medhā, dhīra, paṇḍita
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Last updated on December 13, 2025