Disciple or founding teacher
Sharihotsu
舎利弗
Sharihotsu is described as one of the Ten Great Disciples of the Buddha Shaka, and is said to be foremost in wisdom.
This introduction is based on materials from Shōhōin (Tobi Fudō). It is summarized within the scope of the beliefs and traditions those materials convey, and does not present explanations or customs common to all schools, shrines, and temples.
English pages are the site’s own translations of its Japanese pages. The sources cited are in Japanese. 日本語で読む
The name and role of Sharihotsu
Sharihotsu is described as one of the Ten Great Disciples of the Buddha Shaka, and is said to be foremost in wisdom. It is related that he was a childhood friend of Mokuren, another of the Ten Great Disciples, and that together they brought two hundred and fifty people with them when they became disciples.
Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院
Tracing the form and traditions
His name is also written in other ways, such as Sharishi, and the Sharishi who appears in the Heart Sutra (Hannya Shingyō) is said to be him. It is recorded that together with Mokuren he held the community together well, and that he died of illness before the Buddha.
Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院
Those who learned the teachings and passed them on
The Ten Great Disciples are those among Shaka's disciples who are said to have excelled in areas such as wisdom, preaching, and the precepts. The practice or work in which each excelled is expressed in the title "foremost."
Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院
How the sutras came to be handed down
It is said that after Shaka's passing, the disciples held a council (ketsujū) to gather and confirm the teachings. An explanation from the Sōtō school describes how Makakashō led the assembly, Anan recited the sermons, Upari recited the precepts, and the other disciples checked them.
Source: 曹洞宗
Related kami and buddhas
Sources (in Japanese)
- 飛不動尊 正宝院「仏様の世界：舎利弗」（2026-10-14 確認）
- 飛不動尊 正宝院「仏様の世界：目次」（2026-10-14 確認）
- 飛不動尊 正宝院「仏様の世界：十大弟子」（2026-10-14 確認）
- 曹洞宗「経典」（2026-10-15 確認）