Upali
Upali
[優婆離] (Skt, Pali; Jpn Ubari)
One of Shakyamuni's ten major disciples, known as foremost in observing the precepts. He was a barber at the court of Kapilavastu, a small state near the present-day Indian-Nepalese border. When Shakyamuni Buddha returned home to Kapilavastu several years after his enlightenment, Upali was among the many people there who converted to his teachings. Other converts included Shakyamuni's cousin Ananda, his half brother Nanda, and his son Rahula. According to tradition, Upali was well versed in the causes and circumstances that had brought about the prescription of the vinaya, or rules of monastic discipline. At the First Buddhist Council held to compile the Buddha's teachings, Upali is said to have recited the vinaya, while Ananda recited the sutras.
