As the chief disciple of the Buddha, Śāriputra is considered to be a particularly important figure in Buddhism, especially in the Theravada tradition. According to Buddhist academic Reginald Ray, Śāriputra was the greatest "arhat" in the Pali Canon and is ranked in the canon as being close to a second Buddha. In one text, he is referred to as "King of the Dharma" (Sanskrit: "Dharmaraja") a title generally reserved for the Buddha, and is described in several texts as one who "spins the wheel of the Dharma", a prerogative generally associated with Buddhas. In the Pali Canon, Śāriputra is credited as the main expounder of several "suttas", due to the Buddha trusting in his profound teaching ability. Indologist Alex Wayman describes Śāriputra as being exemplary of the four "brahma-vihārās", and credits these virtues with why the Buddha entrusted him with leadership of the Sangha.