Overview
The Pañcavaggiyā (The Group of Five) were the ascetic companions who practiced extreme self-mortification alongside the Bodhisatta in the Uruvelā forest. When he abandoned starvation to walk the Middle Way, they left him in disgust. However, following his awakening, the Buddha traveled to the Deer Park in Isipatana to deliver his first sermon explicitly to these five, establishing the physical Bhikkhu Saṅgha.
The List
- Aññāsi Koṇḍañña: The eldest. He was the young Brahmin who originally prophesied at the Buddha’s birth that he would only become a Buddha. He was the first to realize the Dhamma during the first sermon.
- Vappa: The second disciple to achieve Stream-entry on the following day under the Buddha’s personal instruction.
- Bhaddiya: The third disciple to achieve Stream-entry.
- Mahānāma: The fourth disciple to achieve Stream-entry, later known for his deep, quiet composure.
- Assaji: The youngest disciple. He was the master monk whose perfect, radiant mindfulness during an alms round later triggered the conversion of Venerable Sāriputta.
Textual References
- Canonical: Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta (SN 56.11) – The first sermon delivered to these five.
- Canonical: Anattalakkhaṇa Sutta (SN 22.59) – The second sermon, through which all five simultaneously attained Arahatship.