Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c36.2384

v2.c36.2384

Sāriputta's special proficiency was in the Abhidhamma. It is said⁵⁷ that when preaching the Abhidhamma to the gods of Tāvatiṃsa, the Buddha would visit Anotatta every day, leaving a *nimmita*-Buddha on Sakka’s throne to continue the preaching. After having bathed in the lake he would take his midday rest. During this time Sāriputta would visit him and learn from the Buddha all that had been preached of the Abhidhamma during the previous day. Having thus learnt the Abhidhamma, Sāriputta taught it to his five hundred pupils. Their acquirement of the seven books of the Abhidhamma coincided with the conclusion of the Buddha’s sermon in Tāvatiṃsa. Thus the textual order of the Abhidhamma originated with Sāriputta, and the numerical series was determined by him.