Five first excellent disciples

Representation of the first teaching of the Buddha to the retinue of the five first excellent disciples in Namo Buddha in Nepal

The retinue of the five first excellent disciples (Skt. bhadravargīya; Wyl. 'khor lnga sde bzang po) received the first teaching of the Buddha after he reached enlightenment.

They are:

• Kaundinya (Pal. Kondanna; Skt. Kauṇḍinya),
• Bhadrika (Pal. Bhaddiya; Skt. Bhadrika),
• Vashpa (Pal. Vappa; Skt. Vāṣpa or Dasabala Kasyapa),
• Mahanaman (Pal. Mahanama; Skt. Mahānāman), and
• Ashvajit (Pal. Assaji; Skt. Aśvajit).

They were Shakyamuni’s companions of ascetic for six years, until the one who was to become the Buddha abandoned this lifestyle seeing it was not the way. As a result of his backsliding his five companions turned away from him. Seven weeks after his reaching enlightenment the Buddha met them again in Sarnath. Though they pledged not to speak to him ever again because of what they considered his failure, awed by his presence they went up to him again and received his first teaching on the four noble truths at Deer Park. All eventually became arhats.