ACHARA UPALI Written By Venkatachalapathi. P.B. Davangere.
Upāli mastered his profession with exceptional discipline, humility, and precision. His skill and integrity earned him a position as a barber in the royal palace of Kapilavastu, where he served the Shakya princes for many years. Though socially considered inferior, Upāli developed inner refinement through sincere work, self-control, and service.
When Prince Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment and became the Buddha, he later returned to Kapilavastu to share the Dhamma. On one occasion, the Buddha summoned Upāli for barber service. Obeying the Buddha’s request, Upāli came, accompanied by his mother, and performed his duty with deep concentration and reverence.
The Buddha carefully observed Upāli’s posture, movements, and breathing. After the service, Upāli’s mother bowed respectfully and asked:
“Bhagavān, how was my son’s service?”
The Buddha replied gently:
“First, your son bowed with his entire body. That itself is the first stage of meditation.”
Surprised, she asked again:
“And then, Lord?”
The Buddha continued:
“He straightened his body with awareness. That is the second stage of meditation.”
Still curious, she asked once more:
“How else did he serve, Prabhu?”
The Buddha said:
“He then drew a deep breath inward. That is the third stage of meditation.”
She asked again:
“And after that?”
The Buddha concluded:
“He slowly released his breath. That is the fourth stage of meditation.”
Through this explanation, the Buddha revealed a profound truth: mindfulness, breath control, and bodily awareness are inseparable, and true meditation can arise even during ordinary work when performed with discipline and presence. The Buddha deeply admired Upāli’s conduct and inner composure.
Renunciation and the Turning Point
Moved by the Buddha’s teachings, the Shakya princes decided to renounce worldly life and seek ordination. As they prepared to leave the palace, Prince Aniruddha (Anuruddha) addressed his brothers:
“Upāli has served us faithfully for many years. We do not need gold or jewels to renounce the world. Let us place all our ornaments in Upāli’s care.”
All the princes placed their precious jewels into Upāli’s bag and departed to seek ordination under the Buddha.
This event caused a profound transformation in Upāli’s mind. He reflected:
“If princes born into immense wealth can renounce everything, how can I, a humble servant, cling to these riches? If I return with this treasure, people may even accuse me of harming the princes.”
Overcome by conscience and spiritual yearning, Upāli hung the bag of jewels on a tree, abandoned all possessions, and resolved to follow the Buddha. However, self-doubt arose within him:
“Will the Buddha accept someone of my caste?”
Disheartened, he sat by the roadside. At that moment, Venerable Sāriputta, one of the Buddha’s chief disciples, noticed him and asked why he was distressed. Upāli bowed and said humbly:
“Venerable Sir, can a man of low birth like me be accepted into the Sangha?”
Sāriputta replied firmly:
“In the Buddha’s path, birth does not matter—discipline and conduct do. Come, the Buddha will be pleased.”
Ordination Before Princes
The Buddha immediately recognized Upāli’s sincerity and inner readiness. He declared:
“You possess discipline, humility, and clarity. You are capable of preserving and conveying my teachings.”
The Buddha ordained Upāli immediately, even before ordaining the Shakya princes, whom he asked to return after seven days of preparatory meditation.
When the princes later returned for ordination, they were astonished to see Upāli already seated beside the Buddha as a monk. The Buddha then instructed them:
“Upāli entered the Sangha before you. You must respect him as your senior.”
Obediently, the princes bowed to Upāli. Deeply moved, Upāli bowed to the Buddha with tears of gratitude, astonishment, and joy—this act shattered caste pride and affirmed spiritual equality.
Guardian of the Vinaya
Upāli devoted himself completely to the Vinaya, the code of monastic discipline. He memorized every rule, exception, and explanation with unmatched precision. Whenever disputes or violations arose among monks, they were sent to Upāli for clarification, as no one understood the disciplinary framework better than he did.
After the Buddha’s Mahāparinirvāṇa, the responsibility of preserving the monastic code arose. Though Upāli initially hesitated due to lingering social humility, Mahākāśyapa, the senior-most disciple, addressed him:
“Venerable Upāli, no one understands the Vinaya as you do. This sacred duty belongs to you alone.”
Accepting the responsibility, Upāli played a central role in the First Buddhist Council, where he recited and systematized the Vinaya Pitaka, one of the three foundational scriptures of Buddhism.
Legacy
Upāli—once a palace barber denied education by society—became the supreme authority on Buddhist discipline. His life stands as a powerful testament to the Buddha’s revolutionary teaching:
Spiritual greatness is measured not by birth, but by conduct, discipline, and wisdom.
Through the Vinaya Pitaka, Upāli ensured the moral and organizational integrity of the Buddhist Sangha for generations to come.
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