Maudgalyāyana

disciple of the Buddha

Also known as: Moggallāna

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 30, 2026

Quick Summary

Maudgalyāyana, also known as Maha Moggallana, was a prominent disciple of the Buddha, renowned for his yogic attainments and magical powers. He is celebrated for his ability to travel through various cosmic realms, bringing back reports to the Buddha. In later Theravada accounts, his successor, Phra Malai, is depicted visiting the Tushita Heaven to consult with the future Buddha, Maitreya. Early Buddhist traditions describe the Buddha's disciples, known as arhats, as miracle-working yogis. This ideal was recognized in Theravada Buddhism, and similar mythical tendencies appeared in Chinese Buddhism with figures like Bodhidharma.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

3 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Bon
The foundational story tells how Maudgalyayana, a disciple of the Buddha, secured his mother’s release from hell by having monks offer food, drink, and shelter to the spirits of his ancestors. According to the Japanese interpretation of the festival, when the mother of Maudgalyayana (Japanese: Mokuren) was released from her…
Read More
The foundational story tells how Maudgalyayana, a disciple of the Buddha, secured his mother’s release from hell by having monks offer food, drink, and shelter to the spirits of his ancestors. According to the Japanese interpretation of the festival, when the mother of Maudgalyayana (Japanese: Mokuren) was released from her…
Read More