The Characterization of Ananda in the Pali Canon of the Theravada: A Hagiographic Study

Abstract

This study concerns itself with the characterization of Ananda, the Buddha's personal attendant, in the Pali Canon of the Theravada. Its purpose is to describe and analyze Ananda's characterization in this literature from an hagiographical perspective. Our study undertakes for the first time a thorough analysis of every instance in which Ananda's name appears in the sources we have utilized. This approach enables us to see how even seemingly insignificant events have often contributed to Ananda's characterization. While the study is centered in the Pali sources, we have also utilized Buddhist sources from the Sanskrit, Chinese and Tibetan where these have contributed to our understanding of Ananda's place in the Theravada. The result of our study is to cast important light on such problems as Ananda's late arahanthood, his characterization as bahussuta, his attendance on the Buddha, his relationship to Sariputta and his place at the Council of Rajagaha.