Vol. 11 · pages 491–495

473 HIS BENEFACTORS BOOK VI VI § 1. Gift from King Bimbisara 1. King Bimbisara was not merely a follower of the Blessed Lord: he was also a great devotee and a great supporter of his Dhamma. 2. After his becoming a lay disciple Bimbisara asked: “Might the Blessed Lord consent to take his meal with me tomorrow together with the fraternity of the monks?” 3. The Blessed One expressed his consent by remaining silent. 4. Then King Bimbisara, when he understood that the Blessed One had accepted his invitation, rose from his seat, respectfully saluted the Blessed One, and, passing round him with his right side towards him, went away. 5. And when the night had elapsed, Bimbisara ordered excellent food to be prepared, and at time announced to the Blessed One in the words: “ It is time, Lord, the meal is ready.” 6. And in the forenoon the Blessed One, having put on his under-robe, took his alms-bowl, and with his robe on, entered the city of Rajagraha accompanied by monks who had all been Jatilas before. 7. And the Blessed One went to the palace of King Bimbisara. Having gone there, he sat down with the monks who followed him, on seats laid out for them. Then King Bimbisara with his own hands served the fraternity of monks with the Buddha at its head; and when the Blessed One had finished his meal and cleaned his bowl and his hands, he sat down near him. 8. Sitting near him King Bimbisara thought: “Where may I find a place for the Blessed One to live in, not too far from the village and not too near, suitable for going and coming, easily accessible for people who keep on seeking him, by day not too

474 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES VI crowded, where there is little sound, little noise by night, sequestered, hidden from men, well fitted for a retired life ?” 9. And King Bimbisara thought: “ There is the Veluvana, my pleasure garden, which is not too far from the town and not too near, suitable for going and coming. What if I were to make an offering of the Veluvana pleasure garden to the fraternity of monks, with the Buddha at its head?” 10. And King Bimbisara took a golden vessel with water in it, to be poured over the Buddha’s hand; and made a gift to the Blessed One, saying, “I give this Veluvana pleasure garden, Lord, to the fraternity of monks with the Buddha at its head.” The Blessed One accepted the park. 11. Then the Blessed One, after having taught, incited, animated, and gladdened King Bimbisara by religious discourse, rose from his seat and went away. 12. And in consequence of this event the Blessed One, after having delivered a religious discourse, addressed the monks: ‘ I allow you monks, to receive this donation of a park.” § 2. Gift from Anathapindika 1. After his conversion Anathapindika once went to the Blessed Lord. Taking his seat on his right side, he said: 2. “The Lord knows that I dwell in Shravasti, a land rich in produce, and enjoying peace; Pasendi is the great king thereof. 3. “Now am I wishful to found a Vihar there, I pray you, of your tenderness come to Shravasti and accept it from me.” 4. The Blessed Lord kept silent and thereby showed his willingness to accept the gift. 5. Anathapindika, the friend of the destitute and the supporter of orphans, having returned home, saw the garden of the heir-apparent, Jeta, with its green groves and limpid rivulets, and thought: “This is the place which will be most suitable as a Vihara for

475 HIS BENEFACTORS VI the fraternity of the Blessed One.” And he went to the prince and asked leave to buy the ground. 6. The prince was not inclined to sell the garden for he valued it highly. He at first refused but said at last: “ If you can cover it with gold, then, and for no other price, shall you have it.” 7. Anathapindika rejoiced and began to spread his gold; but Jeta said: “Spare yourself trouble for I will not sell.” But Anathapindika insisted. Thus they differed and contended until they resorted to the magistrate. 8. Meanwhile the people began to talk of the unwonted proceeding and the prince hearing more of the details, and knowing that Anathapindika was not only very wealthy, but also straightforward and sincere, inquired into his plans. On hearing the name of the Blessed One, the prince became anxious to share in the foundation and he accepted only one-half of the gold, saying: “ Yours is the land but mine are the trees. I will give the trees as my share of the offering to the Lord.” 9. Having made the foundation, they began to build the hall which rose loftily in due proportions according to the directions which the Blessed One had given; and it was beautifully decorated with appropriate carvings. 10. This Vihara was called Jetavana and the friend of the orphans invited the Lord to come to Shravasti and receive the gift. And the Blessed One left Kapilavastu and came to Shravasti. 11. While the Blessed One entered Jetavana, Anathapindika scattered flowers and burned incense, and as a sign of the gift he poured water from a golden dragon pitcher, saying, “This Jetavana Vihara I give for the use of the brotherhood throughout the world.” 12. The Blessed One received the gift and replied: “ May all evil influences be overcome; may the offering promote the kingdom of righteousness and be a permanent blessing to mankind in general and especially also to the giver.”

476 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES VI 13. Anathapindika was one of the eighty chief disciples who bore the title of Chief Almsgiver. § 3. Gift from Jeevaka 1. Jeevaka the physician visited the Blessed One twice a day whenever the Blessed One happened to be in Rajagraha. 2. Jeevaka found the Veluvana gifted away to the Blessed One by King Bimbisara too far away. 3. Jeevaka had his own park in Rajagraha, known as Ambavana, which was much nearer from his place. 4. He thought of building a Vihara with all its adjuncts and present the Ambavana and the Vihara to the Blessed One. 5. With this idea in his mind he approached the Blessed One and requested him to let him fulfil his wishes. 6. The Blessed Lord showed his acceptance by remaining silent. § 4. Gift from Ambrapali 1. Now the Exalted One was staying at Nadika and was wishing for a change. He addressed Ananda, and said: “ Come, Ananda, let us go on to Vesali.” 2. “So be it, Lord,” said Ananda, in assent, to the Exalted One. 3. Then the Exalted One proceeded, with a great company of the brethren, to Vesali, and there at Vesali, the Exalted One stayed at Ambrapali’s grove. 4. Now the courtesan Ambrapali heard that the Exalted One had arrived at Vesali and was staying there at her mango grove. And ordering a number of state vehicles to be made ready, she mounted one of them, and went forth with her train from Vesali towards her garden. She went in the carriage as far as the ground was passable for carriages; there she alighted and she proceeded on foot to the place where the Exalted One was, and took her seat respectfully on one side. And when she was thus seated the