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328
Sāriputta and Moggallāna brought this collective decision to the notice of Parivrajaka Sanjaya. He did not like it. To induce them not to give effect to it, he said,
"Abusas! You do not go there. I am prepared to share my leadership position with you".
But Sariputta and Moggallana did not agree. They reaffirmed their decision for a second time, and then for a third time. From his own side, Sanjaya repeated his disapproval. Hot blood flowed out from his mouth. Sariputta and Moggallana gave up the company of Sanjaya and arrived at Venuvana in the company of other fellow parivrajakas. The Buddha saw them coming from a distance and said as follows to his own monks:
"Kolita (Moggallana) and Upatiṣya (Sariputta), the two friends will be my principal disciples, a couple of noble souls".
The two parivrājaka leaders and their families saluted the Buddha. They received upasampadă at the hands of the Great Monk, and lived on true to their new faith (33).
ons,
6.
Mahakatyayana - Mahakatyayana was born in the
family of a priest at Ujjaini. He belonged to the Katyayana line. When he grew up, he mastered the three Vedas, and after the death of his father, he was installed as a priest. Once King Candapradyota said to his ministers,
"The Buddha has been born in the world. Someone should go and bring him here".
At this, the ministers made the following suggesti
"Sir! We think that Acārya Katyāyana is the most suitable person for this commission. So you may be pleased to give this to him".
The king sent for Katyayana and repeated his wishes to him, but Katyayana set a condition:
"Sir! I am prepared to take up the commission provided I am given leave to be initiated into monkhood".
