Which disciple did the Buddha identify as foremost in wisdom?

The Buddha identified Sariputta as foremost in wisdom among his disciples.

Sariputta, also known as Shariputra in Sanskrit, was one of the Buddha’s two chief male disciples, alongside Mahamoggallana. Early Buddhist texts portray him as a highly accomplished teacher who was especially skilled at explaining and organizing the Buddha’s teachings.

The title “foremost in wisdom” is a traditional distinction, not a claim that Sariputta was the Buddha’s only wise disciple. Other disciples received different honors: Mahamoggallana was associated with supernatural powers, while Ananda was renowned for memory and service. Sariputta is also frequently presented as a leading figure in the formation and instruction of the early monastic community.