Works such as the Sutra of Maitreya's Descent into the World and the Ekottaraagama Sutra record that before Sakyamuni entered Nirvana he enjoined the four great bhiksus Mahakasyapa, Pindola, Rahula and Kaundinya to dwell in the world, guard the Buddha Law, glorify it and bring all sentient beings to salvation.
西晉竺法護譯的彌勒下生經、曇摩難提譯的增一阿含經等，都記載了釋迦圓寂前，曾囑咐後被列入十八羅漢的大迦葉、屠缽歡、賓頭盧、羅羅四大比丘，須住世護持佛法，使之宣揚、救度眾生。