Esala Poya:

Anathapindika, the greatest benefactor of the Buddha

by Premasara EPASINGHE

Anathapindika was the greatest and the chief benefactor or Dayaka of Gautama Buddha, the Compassionate One.

Devotees at the Jethavanaramaya

During the 5th Century BC, trade and commerce flourished in India, and financial houses (such as Banks) provided loans and monies were freely available in the country. Some became millionaires and multi-millionaires. They were known as Setthi, Situ.

There was a charming peasant "Setthi" named Sudatta. He later became a famous lay disciple of the Blessed One. Sudatta was a good Samaritan. He helped the poor, the hungry or the dispossessed. The people of Savatthi, addressed him as Anathapindika the feeder of the poor. He was a committed social worker, who distributed his wealth among the poor.

Sudatta or Anathapindika was a resident of Savatthi. While he was on a business mission probably to sign a trade agreement at Rajagaha he visited his brother-in-law. The household was so busy on this day as they were preparing for a feast.

Sudatta did not get his usual warm welcome and asked his brother-in-law. "Are you preparing to welcome a king a Minister or a dignitary?" His brother-in-law said that Gautama Buddha, the greatest living being, the greatest son of India, the Enlightened One, and His Buddhaputras or disciples were coming for alms.

Courtesy call

Sudatta was delighted to meet Buddha so much, that he spent a sleepless night. Early next morning, he paid a courtesy call on the Blessed One. He was hesitant to come closer to the Buddha.

The Buddha, called him, by his name - "Sudatta, come forward. Sudatta bowed at the Buddha's feet. After a brief discussion, Sudatta understood the essence of the Dhamma and became a Sotapanna stream-winner.

After offering dana to the Buddha and the Bhikkhus, at Rajagaha, he invited the Blessed One to Savatthi. The Buddha accepted his invitation and said Sudatta, the Buddhas always prefer to stay in serene, calm and peaceful places."

Sudatta made elaborate preparations to receive the Buddha. Sudatta, purchased a beautiful pleasure park worth 58 billion Kahavanus, about one Kilometre South west from the walls of Savatthi. It was bought from a prince named Jeta. At first, the Prince Jeta did not want to sell the property but Sudatta said "Prince, I am prepared to pay any amount of money for the property."

"Alright, If you can cover the entire land with "Kahavunu" gold coins it will be yours", Prince Jeta said.

Favourite abode

Sudatta agreed to the transaction. Soon carts-full of gold coins came the following day and he spread the gold coins and in a few days the entire land was covered with gold kahavanu.

Sudatta, also known as Anathapindika the richest man, in Savatthi having spent another 58 billion "Kahavanus", constructed living quarters, assembly halls, store-rooms, pavilions, gardens, beautiful ponds and an impressive gate. This became the favourite abode of the Buddha. It was named Jetavanarama. The Blessed One, lived for 19 years in the fragrance chamber - the Gandakeliya or the Gandha - Kutiya at the Jeta's grove in Saratthi.

It become the Buddha's most popular abode.

Savatthi is one of the six largest cities in India, during the time of Gautama Buddha. It was in the fertile Gangetic plains. At present, it is in Gonda district of Uttar Pradesh. The city of Savatthi, is on the bank of the river Achiravati now called the Rapti River.

Jetavanaramaya, the resplendent abode of Buddha, which was built by Sudatta, Anathapindika played a vital role in the life of the Buddha. The Buddha spent much of his Vas retreat and delivered most of his discourses at Jetavanaramaya. That is why most of the Pirith Suttas begins as follows."

Evam me sutan, Ekan Samayan Bhagava savatthiyan viharati Jetavane Anathapindikassa Arame, atha ko Annatara Devata, Abhikkantaya Rettiya, Abhikkannavanna kevalakappan Jetavanam obhasetva, yena bhagava tena 'upasansaki, upasamkhamitva Bhagavantan Abhivadettva Ekamatam Attasi....

Thus , it has been heard by me. Once upon a time, Gautama Buddha was sojourning in Savatti in Jeta's Grove at the park of Anathapindika. Then, a certain Deity, when night fell, in surpassing colour, making the whole jeta grove radiant approached Gautama Buddha. Having worshipped the Buddha, he sat beside Him and spoke to the Blessed One in a stanza.

A view of Jethavanaramaya today

The Chief Patrons of the Buddha in Savatthi were Anathapindika, Visakha, Suppavasa and Pasenadi Kosala . Woodward, a scholar and renowned Buddhist author in his research, states that of the 877 Sutta, 844 were preached in Anathapindika's Jetawanaramaya. 23 in Vishakka's Pubbarama and four in the suburbs of Savatthi. Of the 25 rainy seasons, Buddha who lived in Savatthi, spent 19 in the Anathapindika's monastery Jetavanaramaya.

The Blessed One lived in Savatthi, the Jeta Grove for a period of time, delivered most of his discourses and instruction to the bhikkhu, bhikkunis, Upasakas and Upasikas.

Suttas

There were 11 discourses (suttas), delivered by the Buddha at Anathapindika's Jetawanaramaya. They were Mangala, Anathapindukovada, Dhammadayada, Vattupama, Kakacupama, Vammika, Ariyapariyesana, Cula Hathhipadopama Sutta, Cha Chakka Sutta, Nanda Sutta and Sangama Sutta.

If one were to visit the ancient city of Savatthi today one could still see the city walls. The remains of three ancient buildings Jetavanarama Monastery, Angulimala's Stupa and Anathapindika's stupa are still found here. At the stupas outside the City of Savatthi the Buddha performed the "Twin Miracle"

Of all the sites of Jetavana Monastery is the main pilgrim destination where Buddhists the world over visit. They also visit Gandhakutiya (Fragrance Chamber) and the most important Ananda Bodhiya. Many pilgrims make vows at the foot of Ananda Bodhiya.

Anathapindika spent large amounts of his wealth to provide the five requisites for the Buddha and the Bhikkhus.

Anathapindika, had a childhood friend named Kalakanni. Anathapindika became rich while Kalakanni remained poor. He helped his friend Kalakanni and gave him a job to look after his wealth in one of his houses. Though his family members were unhappy to see Kalakanni employed as they considered him a derelict.

An Athapindika always defended him thus: "You must understand that a persons' name is not everything. The superstitious and the uneducated judge people by their names.

The wise however judge them "by their good" deeds. I shall not turn Kalakanni out, simply because he is poor or bears the name Kalakanni.

When robbers once failed to burgle Kalakanni's house Anathapindika told to his relatives that if the property was not properly guarded by Kalakanni they would have lost their wealth. Anathapindika's relatives thereafter took him back to their fold.

Anathapindika who visited Buddha twice a day were much closer to the Bhikkhus. He was very fond of Sariputta, the wisest of all bhikkus and Ananda the personal attendant of the Blessed One.

Munificence

In later life, Anathapindika became poor due to his "munificence" and unwise business decisions and fell ill. One day when Sariputta and Ananda visited the ailing Anathapindika the latter began to weep like a child. He said he was sad that he could not visit Buddha due to his illness.

A few hours after Sariputta delivered an Anusasana Anathapindika passed away and was born in the heaven Tautisa. He visited the Buddha at the Jetavana monastery and expressed delight and happiness that he could provide all facilities necessary for the Buddha at Jetavanaramaya.

Anathapindikovada Sutta in the Majjima Nikaya was delivered by the Blessed One in memory of the great benefactor Anathapindika - Feeder of the Poor.