Upatissa and Kolita were childhood friends who were training under the wandering teacher Sañjaya in Rājagaha. They were brilliant seekers with sharp minds and they quickly realised that Sañjaya’s teachings did not lead to the deathless peace they longed for.

So they made a pact: whichever of us discovers the path to Nibbāna first must share it with the other.

Not long after, on a quiet morning, Upatissa saw a serene monk entering Rājagaha on alms round. That monk, Ven. Assaji (one of the first disciples of the Buddha) moved with such calm dignity that Upatissa immediately sensed he had achieved something extraordinary.

He followed Assaji respectfully, waited until he finished his meal, and offered him water. Only then did he ask the questions burning in his heart: Who is your teacher? What does he teach?

Assaji modestly explained that he was a new disciple of the Buddha and could only share the essence—not the full breadth—of the teaching. Upatissa urged him to speak the essential meaning alone.

Assaji then recited a brief verse summarising the heart of the Four Noble Truths:

Ye dhammā hetuppabhavā, tesaṁ hetuṁ Tathāgato āha,
tesañ-ca yo nirodho, evaṁ-vādī Mahā-samaṇo.

Hearing just these lines, Upatissa’s mind opened. Right there, he attained Stream-entry—the first stage of awakening. He immediately recognised: This is the truth we have been seeking all our lives.

But he remembered his vow to his friend. Before learning anything further, he went straight back to Kolita to share the verse. The moment Kolita heard it, he too entered the Stream.

Filled with joy, the two friends turned to each other with the same thought: The Buddha is our true teacher. And so, without delay, they wanted to set off for Veḷuvana monastery to meet the Awakened One himself.

Even in his excitement, Upatissa didn’t forget those who depended on him. With his usual gentle foresight, he told Kolita, “Our 250 fellow wanderers have trusted us and looked up to our conduct for years. We should tell them what we’ve found. They deserve the chance to choose for themselves.”

Out of respect, he also suggested informing their teacher, Sañjaya. “If he is wise, he may come with us. Hearing the Buddha’s teaching, he too might realise the path.”

So they first spoke to the 250 disciples: “We are going to meet the Buddha, the Fully Awakened One—our true master.” Without hesitation the disciples replied, “We have lived by your examples all this time. If you are going to the Buddha, we will follow.”

Then came the hardest part—approaching their teacher. Three times they urged Sañjaya to come with them. Three times he refused. Finally Sanjaya said, “In this world, the unwise are many and the wise are few. The wise will go to the ascetic Gotama. The unwise will stay with me.” And with that, he dismissed them.

Upatissa and Kolita left with all 250 disciples. The hermitage fell silent. Realising what he had lost, Sañjaya was overwhelmed and coughed blood. His world had emptied overnight.

Meanwhile, at Veḷuvana monastery, the Buddha was teaching. Seeing the group approaching from afar, he smiled and told the Saṅgha, “There come Kolita and Upatissa, childhood friends. They will become my two chief disciples—one on my left, one on my right.”

When the two seekers finally arrived, they bowed deeply at the Buddha’s feet, surrounded by all 250 of their followers. Their long search had led them exactly where they needed to be.

Upatissa would be known as Sāriputta, while Kolita would become Moggallāna.

This story resonates deeply with anyone fortunate enough to have a true-hearted Dharma friend. It reminds us that the purpose of life is shaped by our search for the Ultimate Truth — and that the journey becomes clearer and steadier when walked with a trustworthy companion. A real Dharma friend is unselfish, open-handed, and willing to share whatever insight they have gained.

May you, too, meet such friendship on the path.
And may your own journey toward awakening be guided by sincerity, courage, and the wish for enlightenment.

May all be well and happy.