Disciple or founding teacher
Shubodai
須菩提
Shubodai is listed as one of the Ten Great Disciples. 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.
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 Shubodai
Shubodai is listed as one of the Ten Great Disciples. He is described as being called foremost in understanding emptiness (gekū daiichi), having deeply understood emptiness, or foremost in non-contention (mujō daiichi), never engaging in disputes.
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
He is said to have originally been short-tempered and rough, but to have become a well-rounded person after meeting Shaka. He is also introduced as being said to be the nephew of the elder Sudatta, who donated the Gion Shōja monastery.
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：須菩提」（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）