Today we speak about Mahakausthila. 

Kausthila was Sariputra’s uncle. Whenever Sariputra’s mother debated with her younger brother, the uncle would always win. But after she became pregnant with Sariputra, every time they debated, the older sister began to win instead.

Kausthila then thought that the child inside his sister’s womb must already be capable of debating. Feeling discouraged, he went far away to study the teachings. Because his determination to study the Dharma was so serious, he didn’t have time to cut his nails, so they became very long. People generally addressed Kausthila as “Long-Nailed Brahmin.”

Finally, when he returned, he wanted to see his nephew, but his sister told him, “Sariputra has already taken refuge in Shakyamuni Buddha.” 

Kausthila thought, “Sariputra already possessed such great talent while still in his mother’s womb, who could possibly be his teacher?” 

Kausthila went to find Shakyamuni Buddha and debated with him. 

Of course it was Shakyamuni Buddha who was the best. So, in the end, because Kausthila couldn’t win the debate against Shakyamuni Buddha, he thus also took refuge in Shakyamuni Buddha.

We know that Kausthila liked to debate. He would debate with any person he met. Therefore, among the Buddha’s ten Great disciples, he was known as “foremost in answering questions,” which in our terms is equivalent to being foremost in debating.