MISSIONARY WORK OF THERA SÃRIPUTTA

Abstract

Thera Sãriputta worked together with TheraMogallana to propagate Dhamma, restore order and faith in the Sangha. They won back 500 monks led astray by Devadatta by preaching them at Vultures’ Peak in Rajgir. They also admonished monks who misbehaved themselves like the monks led by Assaji (not the Elder Assaji), and Punnabbasu of Kitagiri. Thera Sãriputta had very good relations with fellow monks. Thera Sãriputtarepeated to Ananda what Buddha often said, ‘the whole of Holy life was good friends.’ VenerableAnanda would give ordination to young pupils and then bring them to Thera Sãriputtafor Higher ordination. Thera Sãriputtadid likewise and between the 2 of them, they shared 500 pupils in common. VenerableAnanda also would offer robes and other requisites, which he received to Thera Sãriputta.