According to Buddhist tradition, which disciple was foremost in supernatural powers?

According to Buddhist tradition, Maudgalyayana was foremost among the Buddha’s disciples in supernatural powers.

Maudgalyayana, known as Moggallana in Pali, was one of the Buddha’s two chief male disciples. Buddhist texts pair him with Shariputra, who was regarded as foremost in wisdom. Maudgalyayana’s distinction was mastery of extraordinary abilities, often called psychic or supernatural powers.

Stories about him appear throughout Buddhist literature and portray him using these abilities to assist beings, visit other realms, and teach Buddhist principles. The tales are religious narratives rather than modern scientific claims, and their details vary across Buddhist traditions.

The name can be confusing because Sanskrit and Pali forms differ substantially: Maudgalyayana is Sanskrit, while Moggallana is Pali. He is also sometimes called Mahamaudgalyayana, meaning “Great Maudgalyayana.” His prominence reflects the early Buddhist tradition’s practice of assigning particular “foremost” qualities to leading disciples.