Sāriputta and Moggallāna, disciples of the wanderer Sañcaya, had agreed to inform each other if one attained `amata` (deathless). Sāriputta, impressed by the venerable Assaji's demeanor, learned from him the core teaching: phenomena arise from a cause, and the Buddha (Tathāgata) teaches their cause and cessation. This insight led both Sāriputta and Moggallāna to attain the `dhammacakkhu` (insight into the Dhamma). Consequently, they and 250 followers left Sañcaya to join the Buddha, who recognized them as his future chief disciples and ordained them.
