Venerable Mahā Moggallāna was a disciple whom the Buddha praised as the foremost among the monks in supernatural powers. He served as the left chief disciple, paired with Venerable Sāriputta, who was declared foremost in wisdom and served as the right chief disciple.
Mahā Moggallāna was an important force in spreading the Buddha’s teaching. He transformed fierce people into gentle ones, guided the harsh to become refined, and taught the stingy to become generous. He also recounted stories of heaven and hell to the general public, helping people understand the results of their actions. As a result, many turned away from their former teachers and embraced Buddhism.
Seeing their gains and honors steadily decline, rival ascetics (non-Buddhist teachers) became resentful. When they learned that Mahā Moggallāna was influencing the people, they raised money from their supporters and hired a group of bandits to kill him.
At that time, Mahā Moggallāna was residing at Kāḷasilā (Black Rock). When the bandits surrounded him, he used his supernatural powers to escape. For two months they attempted to capture him but failed. In the third month, however, he reflected upon the karma of a past life in which he had beaten his own parents. Realizing that the time for his final passing (Parinibbāna) had come, he no longer avoided them and allowed the bandits to beat him as they wished.
After the attackers had left him severely injured, Mahā Moggallāna entered deep meditative absorption, gathered his remaining strength, and went to pay his final respects to the Blessed One. He informed the Buddha of his impending passing. The Buddha gave his permission, and Mahā Moggallāna then returned to Kāḷasilā, where he attained Parinibbāna.
The Buddha, together with the community of monks and many celestial beings, attended his cremation ceremony. His relics were collected and enshrined in a shrine at Jetavana Monastery in Sāvatthī.