Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c36.2352

v2.c36.2352

Sāriputta was specially attached, also, to Rāhula, the Buddha’s son, who was entrusted to Sāriputta for ordination. Mention is made of a special sutta in the Majjhima Nikāya,³⁴ in which he urges Rāhula to practise the study of breathing. The special regard which Sāriputta had for the Buddha and Rāhula extended also to Rāhulamātā, for we find that when she was suffering from flatulence, Rāhula consulted Sāriputta, who obtained for her some mango-juice, a known remedy for the disease.³⁵ On another occasion³⁶ he obtained from Pasenadi rice mixed with ghee and with red fish for flavouring when Rāhulamātā suffered from some stomach trouble. Among laymen Sāriputta had special regard for Anāthapiṇḍika; when the latter lay ill he sent for Sāriputta, who visited him with Ānanda and preached to him the Anāthapiṇḍikovāda Sutta. At the end of the discourse Anāthapiṇḍika said he had never before heard such a homily. Sāriputta said they were reserved for monks only, but Anāthapiṇḍika asked that they could be given to the laity and to young men of undimmed vision. Anāthapiṇḍika died soon after and was reborn in Tusita.³⁷