# The Master — The Pilgrim Kamanita character guide > The Master in The Pilgrim Kamanita by Karl Gjellerup. **Role:** major **Also known as:** the master, a master **First appearance:** 0020-xix-the-master ## Snapshot A teacher whose gentle questions to his monks frame the story's central silence about what lies beyond death. ## Who they are The Master greets Sariputta and his young monks with practical concern for their journey, food, and health, then turns to the deeper matter of what he has and has not declared. His famous image of the Sinsapa leaves, held up against the whole wood, marks the limit of his teaching as deliberate rather than ignorant. That restraint becomes the pivot on which Kamanita's skepticism turns. ## Relationships ### [Kamanita](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/characters/kamanita) _professional_ Kamanita is a devoted disciple of The Master, learning spiritual teachings and seeking enlightenment under his guidance. ### [The Lord Buddha](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/characters/the_lord_buddha) _professional_ The Lord Buddha and The Master share a teacher-student relationship, with The Master being a senior disciple and teacher in the Buddha's sangha. ### [Ananda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/characters/ananda) _friendship_ Ananda and The Master are fellow monks and close companions, often discussing dharma and supporting each other's practice. ### [Angulimala](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/characters/angulimala) _psychological_ Angulimala, a reformed murderer, is deeply conflicted and obsessed with The Master, who becomes his spiritual mentor and redeemer. ### [Vasitthi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/characters/vasitthi) _professional_ The Master offers spiritual counsel to Vasitthi, helping her cope with loss and guiding her toward inner peace. ### [Mara](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/characters/mara) _rivalry_ Mara, the tempter, repeatedly tries to distract and defeat The Master, representing the forces of illusion and desire. ### [King Udena](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/characters/king_udena) _social_ King Udena respects The Master as a holy man, occasionally seeking his advice but maintaining a formal distance. ### [Satagira](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/characters/satagira) _rivalry_ Satagira is hostile toward The Master, viewing him as a threat to his own power and way of life. ### [Kamanita](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/characters/kamanita) _professional_ Kamanita is a devoted disciple of The Master, learning spiritual teachings and seeking enlightenment under his guidance. ### [Angulimala](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/characters/angulimala) _psychological_ Angulimala, a reformed murderer, is deeply conflicted and obsessed with The Master, who becomes his spiritual mentor and redeemer. ### [The Lord Buddha](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/characters/the_lord_buddha) _professional_ The Lord Buddha and The Master share a teacher-student relationship, with The Master being a senior disciple and teacher in the Buddha's sangha. ### [Kamanita](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/characters/kamanita) _professional_ Kamanita is a devoted disciple of The Master, learning spiritual teachings and seeking enlightenment under his guidance. ## In the story ### [At the Grave of the Holy Vajaçravas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/chapters/xii-at-the-grave-of-the-holy-vaja-ravas) Listens to Kamanita's story and comments on his path toward homelessness. ### [XV: The Bald-Pated Monk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/chapters/xv-the-bald-pated-monk) The Master is referenced by Angulimala, who quotes his teaching about patience even when limbs are cut off by robbers. ### [In the Hall of the Potter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/chapters/xviii-in-the-hall-of-the-potter) Ponders revealing Vasitthi's story but decides against it; speaks on suffering and separation; reflects on Kamanita's pilgrimage. ### [In the Paradise of the West](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/chapters/xxii-in-the-paradise-of-the-west) Mentioned as speaking in the hall of the potter at Rajagriha at the time of Kamanita's awakening. ### [XXIII: The Roundelay of the Blest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/chapters/xxiii-the-roundelay-of-the-blest) Neighbor in blue who instructs Kamanita that he can move if he desires. ### [XXV: The Bud of the Lotus Opens](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/chapters/xxv-the-bud-of-the-lotus-opens) Kamanita's blue neighbor who explains the significance of the lotus bud and the souls it represents. ### [The Hell of Spears](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/chapters/xxxiv-the-hell-of-spears) Revealed as the Fully Enlightened Buddha; he guides Angulimala to see the Hell of Spears and accepts him as a disciple. ### [Buddha and Krishna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/chapters/xxxvi-buddha-and-krishna) The Buddha, who speaks at the temple steps, contrasting the worship of Krishna with the path to Nirvana. ### [The Blossoms of Paradise Wither](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/chapters/xxxvii-the-blossoms-of-paradise-wither) Referenced by Vasitthi as the one who teaches 'joy in the transient' and the discernment of the uncreated. ### [Night and Morning in the Spheres](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/chapters/xlv-night-and-morning-in-the-spheres) The conversation with the Master in the potter's house at Rajagriha is recalled by Kamanita, guiding his thoughts toward nirvana. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/characters/the_master - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pilgrim_kamanita_se/characters