‘As for Sāriputta:
Any monk who has gone beyond,
at best can only equal him
in discernment, virtue, & calm.’”3
Notes
1. This is what Ven. Mahā Moggallāna said to Ven. Sāriputta when both were still wanderers, and Ven. Sāriputta had just attained the deathless after hearing Ven. Assaji’s verses. See Mv I.23.5.
2. One of the powers that can be gained through developing the bases of power. See DN 16 and SN 51:14.
3. In MN 143, this verse is spoken by Anāthapiṇḍika after having died and become a deva. The Buddha then reports it—apparently with his approval—to the monks.
Origin URL: https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/SN/SN21_3.html