"One of Shakyamuni's ten major disciples， known as the foremost in observing the precepts. Unlike the other major disciples who came from Brahman families， he was of humble origin， having formerly been a barber at the court of Kapilavastu. He joined the Order at the same time as Aniruddha， Ananda and Devadatta. At the first Buddhist Council held to compile the Buddha's teachings， it is said that Upali recited the vinaya or rules of monastic discipline， while Ananda recited the sutras."
"Former royal barber and early disciple of the Buddha， regarded as being the foremost specialist on matters concerning the disciplinary tradition （Vinaya Pitaka）. Because he was ordained early in Buddha's ministry， Upali was senior to many of Buddha's best known disciples. He also distinguished himself by learning all of the disciplinary requirements for the monastic community. As such， at the first council， held in Rajagrha during the first rainy season following Buddha's death， Upali recited the entire Vinaya Pitaka or 'Basket of Discipline.' In so doing， he became the first master of Vinaya， beginning a lineage that， according to the Pali tradition， was unbroken at least until Asoka's reign."