Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c31.1909

v2.c31.1909

Sāriputta and Moggallāna are declared to be the ideal disciples, whose example others should try to follow.³ In the Saccavibhaṅga Sutta⁴ the Buddha thus distinguishes these "twin brethren" from the others: "Sāriputta is as she who brings forth and Moggallāna is as the nurse of what is brought forth; Sāriputta trains in the fruits of conversion, Moggallāna trains in the highest good. Sāriputta is able to teach and make plain the four Noble Truths; Moggallāna, on the other hand, teaches by his iddhipātihāriya."⁵ Moggallāna's pre-eminence lay in his possession of iddhi-power.⁶ He could create a living shape innumerable times and could transfer himself into any shape at will.⁷ Several instances are given of this special display of iddhi. Once, at the Buddha's request, with his great toe he shook the Migārāmātupāsāda, and made it rattle in order to terrify some monks who sat in the ground floor of the building, talking loosely and frivolously, regardless even of the fact that the Buddha was in the upper storey.⁸