Description: (Primary Attendant of the Buddha and One of His Ten Principal Disciples)
Ānanda was the primary attendant of the Buddha and one of his ten principal disciples known for his exceptional memory. He played a crucial role in preserving and disseminating the Buddha's teachings, acting as an intermediary between the Buddha, laypeople, and the monastic community. Ānanda accompanied the Buddha for the entirety of his ministry, serving as an assistant, secretary, and mouthpiece. He was pivotal in the establishment of the order of bhikkhunīs and played a key role in the First Council, where he attained enlightenment and recited the Buddha's discourses.