妙法蓮華經玄贊 1.95

1.95

贊曰：梵云奢利弗呾羅，言舍利弗者訛也。舍利云鶖，即百舌鳥亦曰春鸚，弗呾羅言子，以母才辨喻如鶖鳥，此是彼子，以母顯之故云鶖子。又云過去身為瓦師，值釋迦佛發願願作釋迦弟子，不但今者，亦符往願；復名優波提舍，以能論議故兼得彼名。

The Eulogy says: In Sanskrit it is Śāriputra; saying 'Śāriputra' [舍利弗] is corrupted. 'Śāri' means 'heron' [鶖], namely the myna bird, also called the spring parrot. 'Putra' means 'son'. Because his mother's eloquence was compared to that of a heron, and this was her son, he is called 'Son of the Heron' to distinguish him by his mother. Furthermore, it is said that in a past life he was a potter, and meeting Śākyamuni Buddha he made a vow wishing to become Śākyamuni's disciple; not only the present, but it also corresponds to his past vow. He is also named Upatisya; because of his ability in debate, he also received that name.