(Day 4) Sravasti

Saravasti/Sravasti/Shravasti /Savatthi or Saheth-Maheth are the same place, where it is about 160 km from Lucknow and 17 km from Balrumpur. It is also located at the Gonda district of Uttar Prdesh.

The ancient Kingdom of Kosala was ruled by King Pasenadi. Sravasti was the capital. During that time it was one of the 6 wealthies cities.

Buddha spent his 21st-44th years in Sravasti and he delivered majority of teachings in Jetavana, Sravasti. Another famous monastery was the Pubbarama (eastern monastery) which was donated by Visakha. (Chief benefactress of the Buddha)

It's all started with a millionaire Sudatta or famous known as Anathapindika (Feeder of the poor). While on the business trip to Rajagaha, Anathapindika visited his brother-in-law. He found the family were busy as they were having feast. From the questioning, he was told that Buddha and his Sangha will come on the next day.

Anathapindika was very happy and longed to see Buddha. He also was told that Buddha was staying at the nearby Sitavana forest. He thought of meeting the Buddha on the next day. At that night he could not sleep well, woke up for 3 times, at last because of his faith, the light came out from his own body, so he thought that it was dawn, so he quickly rushed to see Buddha.

However after reached the Sivaka gate of the city, the light from the body vanished. He walked in the dark with feared, but when the feared gone, the light of his body on again. It repeated for 3 times. The Yakkha played the important roles because urged Anathapindika to go to see Buddha for 3 times. At last Anathapindika arrived.

During that time, Buddha had already woke up and seeing Anathapindika came and called his family name as Sudatta. Anathapindika was over joy and paying respect to Buddha and hearing the dhamma. He attained Sotapanna in listening dhamma from Buddha. Then he invited Buddha to stay in Sravasti for the rainy seasons. Buddha agreed and made clear that he expected Anathapindika provided him and also the monks a quiet place.

Anathapindika started to look for the place when he arrived Sravasti. He found the place but the land belong to Prince Jeta. Price Jeta refused to sell. Anathapindika never gave up and at last Prince Jeta quoted an unrealistically high price, hundred thousand of gold pieces.

Anathapindika agreed and very fast his servants started to bring the gold pieces and spreading them on ground. The remain money he built the buildings, which consists of halls, monastery buildings, attendance halls, fire room, toilet, porches, cells, covered walkway, bathrooms, wells, lotus pond and sheds. Then this place was called as Jetavana Anathapindika Arama (Jeta's grove, Anathapindika's park)

There was a tree which called as Ananda Bodhi tree planted near to the entrance of Jetavana.Yet to confirm whether that was the original tree. Somehow, lets know about the events having here first. Anathapindika thought of having an object for the laity to worship when the Buddha was away after the rainy season.

Ven. Ananda informed Buddha and Buddha said there were 3 types of veneration objects : relics of Buddha (At that time, Buddha still alive, so ignored); the things that Buddha used such as arm bowls..etc (Buddha suggested Bodhi tree); the visible symbol, example as Dhammacakka wheel (It was not suitable for those people who were not content with the mere symbol). Ven. Moggalla was assigned to bring the sapling of the Bodhi tree from Bodhgaya. The young shoot was planted by Anathapindika near to the gate. Buddha spent one night meditating under the tree.

King Asoka visited Sravasti in 249 BC. He enshrined the relics of Buddha with built some stupas there and erected two 70 feet height pillars at each side of the Eastern Jetavana. Kaniska and Huviska, both Kusana kings in 1st and 2nd centuries AD built the shrines to enshrine Buddha images.

Fa Hsien visited Sravasti in 407 AD, still saw some monks in Jetavana, the water in the pool still very clear, many colourful flowers, a lot of tree and plants, but Buddhism already declined. He always saw the 2 pillars (the top of the left pillar was a wheel, on the right one was a bull) were there. Somehow Sudatta and Angulimala stupas already in ruins.

Hsuian Tsang arrived Sravasti in 637AD, Sravasti already in ruins. He still can see the pillars, ruins old stupas, sangharamas and the well that Buddha used to draw the water.

From the 8th to 9th centuries AD, Jetavana was occupied, and found some seals and images of Lokanatha, Avalokitesvara (Mahayanist pantheons) there.

In 1130 AD King Govindachandra and his wife Kumaradevi (Bhuddist) gave six villages to the Sangha of Jetavana.

The downfall of Buddhism started from 13th century.

Gandha kuti (perfumed chamber) built by Anathapindika for Buddha's use. It was believed that this bed location was the same as others' Buddhas. Original was wooden building. We did the chanting and meditation here.

Infront of the Gandha kuti, the stupa was rebuilt many times. It was the sacred shrine where Buddha used to teach to the monks and laity.

Kosambi kuti also built by Anathapindika for the used by Buddha in meditation. There were a long plinth, it was believed the original cankama (promenade) used by Buddha for walking meditation.

According to Fa Hsien (Chinese Pilgrim) Sudatta (Anathapindika) stupa was built on the foundation of the sudatta's house. It was situated at Mahet (old Sravasti). The ruins structure remained from 1-12 centuries AD. We had to climb up and look down we saw 2 stupas in the sunken basement.

Angulimala Stupa was in Mahet and this site mark as the site where Angulimala was cremated, this was according to Fa Hsien and identified by Cunningham. The Archeological Survey of India built the tunnel in the middle which mounted at the base because it help to preserve the monument in the rainy seasons. It acted as a drain to let go of water.


Then we visited to Kachchi Kuti (Anathapindika) and Pakki Kuti (Angulimala).

Then we visited to Thai monastery (Dhamma motherland)

Then we went to the Sri Lankan monastery Nava Jetavana Vihara. There were so many paintings about Buddha's life. We were very luckly because we had been blessed with the Buddha's relics which had been kept in the stupa shape vessel. When reached my turn to put this relics vessel on my head, my teardrops going to fall........a big joy !

There was some brick ruins on top of the hillock which near to Nikko lotus Hotel in Sravasti, and a stupa known by local people as Orajhar. It was believed this stupa built by King Asoka. Buddha reached there and performed Twin miracle. The purpose of Buddha performed Twin Miracle (Yamaka Pathihariya) or million fold manifestation of himself was to dispel the heretics. Buddha created multiple of himself either sitting, standing on lotuses, causing the fire and water to emanate from the Buddha's body.

Then we were back to the Nikko Lotus Hotel and had our dinner.