Ananda

Ananda, cousin of the Buddha, renounced at an early age and served as the Buddha’s attendant. Initially, the Buddha did not allow women to join the Sangha, but Ananda fought for them until the Buddha relented. Hence, Ananda played an important role in establishing the Bhiksuni Order. Foremost in memorizing the Dharma, he recited all the Buddha’s teachings during the First Buddhist Council, allowing the Dharma to be passed down to later generations. There is a verse praising him: “His face is like the autumn full moon with eyes like pure lotus blossoms; the Dharma is like a great ocean flowing into Ananda’s heart.”