Disciple or founding teacher
Upari
優波離
One of the Ten Great Disciples, called foremost in keeping the precepts (jiritsu daiichi), and regarded as a person well versed in 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 Upari
One of the Ten Great Disciples, called foremost in keeping the precepts (jiritsu daiichi), and regarded as a person well versed in the precepts. It is explained that he was a barber who met the Buddha by shaving his hair and became his disciple, and that after the Buddha's passing he played a central part in compiling the section on the precepts.
Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院
Tracing the figure and traditions
It is said that he asked to practice in the forest, but in view of his honest, upright nature he was advised to attain enlightenment through the precepts and through wisdom gained by meditation. An episode is introduced in which he entered the order at the same time as Anaritsu and Anan, and received the precepts first because the two yielded their place in the order of ordination.
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 teaching and passed it on
The Ten Great Disciples are regarded as people who excelled among the Buddha Shaka's disciples in fields 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
Until the sutras were handed down
It is said that after the Buddha Shaka's passing, his disciples held a council (ketsujū) to gather and confirm the teachings. A Sōtō school explanation describes Makakashō as leading the gathering, Anan reciting the sermons, Upari reciting the precepts, and the other disciples checking them.
Source: 曹洞宗
Related kami and buddhas
Sources (in Japanese)
- 飛不動尊 正宝院「仏様の世界：優波離」（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）