Difference between revisions of "Benares"
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− | The extent of the city of [[Benares]], including its suburbs, at the [[time]] when it was the {{Wiki|capital}} of an {{Wiki|independent}} {{Wiki|kingdom}}, is often stated (E.g., J.iv.377; vi.160; MA.ii.608) to have been twelve leagues. The names of several [[kings]] are mentioned in the [[Jātakas]], among them {{Wiki|being}} those of [[Anga]], [[Uggasena]], [[Udaya]], Kikī, [[Dhanañjaya]], Mahāsīlava, Vissasena, and [[Samyama]]. (The SNA. on the Khaggavisāna [[Sutta]] contains the names of several [[kings]] of [[Benares]] who renounced the [[World]] and became [[Pacceka Buddhas]]). | + | |
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+ | '''[[Benares]]''': The {{Wiki|capital}} of Kāsi-janapada. It was one of the four places of [[pilgrimage]] for the [[Buddhists]] - the others {{Wiki|being}} [[Kapilavatthu]], [[Buddhagayā]] and [[Kusināra]] - because it was at, the [[Migadāya]] in [[Isipatana]] near [[Bārānasī]] that The [[Buddha]] {{Wiki|preached}} his first {{Wiki|sermon}} to the [[Pañcavaggiyā]] (D.ii.141). This was the spot at which all [[Buddhas]] set in {{Wiki|motion}} the [[Wheel]] of the Law ([[Dhamma]]-[[Cakka]]). It is the {{Wiki|custom}} of [[Buddhas]] to travel by [[air]] from the [[Bodhi]]-[[tree]] to the scene of their first {{Wiki|sermon}}, a distance of eighteen leagues (MA.i.388; Bu.A.242, etc.), but the {{Wiki|present}} [[Buddha]] did all the journey on foot in [[order]] to be able to meet on the way the [[Ajīvaka]] [[Upaka]]. | ||
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+ | [[Benares]] was an important centre of trade and industry. There was direct trade between there and [[Sāvatthi]] (DhA.iii.429), the road passing through [[Bhaddiya]] (Vin.i.189), and between there and [[Takkasilā]] (DhA.i.123). It was the {{Wiki|custom}} for {{Wiki|enthusiastic}} young men of [[Benares]] to go to the {{Wiki|university}} at [[Takkasilā]] (E.g., J.ii.4; DhA.i.250), but there seem to have been educational {{Wiki|institutions}} at [[Benares]] also, some of which were older than even those of [[Takkasilā]] (KhA.198; see also DhA.iii.445, where [[Susīma]], Sankha's son, goes from [[Takkasilā]] to [[Benares]] for purposes of study). | ||
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+ | From [[Verañjā]] to [[Benares]] there seem to have been two routes: one rather circuitous, passing through [[Soreyya]], and the other direct, crossing the [[Ganges]] at Payāgatittha. From [[Benares]] the road continued to [[Vesāli]] (Sp.i.201). On the road from [[Benares]] to [[Rājagaha]] was [[Andhakavinda]] (Vin.i.220). There seems to have been friendly intercourse between the chieftains of [[Benares]] and the [[kings]] of [[Magadha]], as shown by the fact that [[Bimbisāra]] sent his [[own]] {{Wiki|physician}}, [[Jīvaka]], to attend to the son of the Treasurer of [[Benares]] (Vin.i.275). The distance from [[Kosambī]] to [[Benares]] was thirty leagues by [[river]] (MA.ii.929). | ||
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+ | The extent of the city of [[Benares]], [[including]] its suburbs, at the [[time]] when it was the {{Wiki|capital}} of an {{Wiki|independent}} {{Wiki|kingdom}}, is often stated (E.g., J.iv.377; vi.160; MA.ii.608) to have been twelve leagues. The names of several [[kings]] are mentioned in the [[Jātakas]], among them {{Wiki|being}} those of [[Anga]], [[Uggasena]], [[Udaya]], Kikī, [[Dhanañjaya]], [[Mahāsīlava]], Vissasena, and [[Samyama]]. (The SNA. on the Khaggavisāna [[Sutta]] contains the names of several [[kings]] of [[Benares]] who renounced the [[World]] and became [[Pacceka Buddhas]]). | ||
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The [[name]] which occurs most frequently, however, is that of [[Brahmadatta]], which seems to have been the dynastic [[name]] of the [[Benares]] [[kings]]. In the [[Mahāgovinda]] [[Sutta]], the foundation of [[Bārānasī]] is attributed to [[Mahāgovinda]], its first [[king]] {{Wiki|being}} [[Dhatarattha]], contemporary of [[Renu]] (D.ii.235). The [[Ceylon]] Chronicles (MT. 127,129,130) mention the names of others who reigned in [[Benares]] - e.g., Duppasaha and sixty of his descendants; [[Asoka]], son of Samankara, and eighty four thousand of his descendants; also sixteen [[kings]], {{Wiki|ancestors}} of [[Okkāka]]. The city itself had been known by different names at different periods; thus, in the [[time]] of the [[Udaya]] [[Jātaka]] it was called Surundhana; in that of the [[Sutasoma]], [[Sudassana]]; in that of the Sonananda, [[Brahmavaddhana]]; in that of the Khandahāla, Pupphavatī; in that of the Yuvañjaya, Rammanagara (J.iv.119f); and in that of the [[Sankha]], Molinī (J.iv.15). It was also called Kāsinagara and Kāsipura (E.g., J.v.54; vi.165; DhA.i.87), {{Wiki|being}} the {{Wiki|capital}} of [[Kāsi]]. The Bhojājāniya [[Jātaka]] (J.i.178) says that "all the [[kings]] around coveted the {{Wiki|kingdom}} of [[Benares]]." In the Brahāchatta [[Jātaka]] (J.iii.116), the [[king]] of [[Benares]] is mentioned as having captured the whole of [[Kosala]]. At the [[time]] of The [[Buddha]], however, [[Benares]] had lost its great {{Wiki|political}} importance. [[Kosala]] was already the paramount [[Power]] in [[India]], and several successful invasions of [[Kāsi]] by the [[Kosalans]] under their [[kings]] Vanka, Dabbasena and [[Kamsa]], are referred to. The final conquest would seem to be ascribed to [[Kamsa]] because the [[Epithet]] [[Bārānasī]]ggha (conqueror of [[Benares]]) is an established addition to his [[name]] (J.ii.403). | The [[name]] which occurs most frequently, however, is that of [[Brahmadatta]], which seems to have been the dynastic [[name]] of the [[Benares]] [[kings]]. In the [[Mahāgovinda]] [[Sutta]], the foundation of [[Bārānasī]] is attributed to [[Mahāgovinda]], its first [[king]] {{Wiki|being}} [[Dhatarattha]], contemporary of [[Renu]] (D.ii.235). The [[Ceylon]] Chronicles (MT. 127,129,130) mention the names of others who reigned in [[Benares]] - e.g., Duppasaha and sixty of his descendants; [[Asoka]], son of Samankara, and eighty four thousand of his descendants; also sixteen [[kings]], {{Wiki|ancestors}} of [[Okkāka]]. The city itself had been known by different names at different periods; thus, in the [[time]] of the [[Udaya]] [[Jātaka]] it was called Surundhana; in that of the [[Sutasoma]], [[Sudassana]]; in that of the Sonananda, [[Brahmavaddhana]]; in that of the Khandahāla, Pupphavatī; in that of the Yuvañjaya, Rammanagara (J.iv.119f); and in that of the [[Sankha]], Molinī (J.iv.15). It was also called Kāsinagara and Kāsipura (E.g., J.v.54; vi.165; DhA.i.87), {{Wiki|being}} the {{Wiki|capital}} of [[Kāsi]]. The Bhojājāniya [[Jātaka]] (J.i.178) says that "all the [[kings]] around coveted the {{Wiki|kingdom}} of [[Benares]]." In the Brahāchatta [[Jātaka]] (J.iii.116), the [[king]] of [[Benares]] is mentioned as having captured the whole of [[Kosala]]. At the [[time]] of The [[Buddha]], however, [[Benares]] had lost its great {{Wiki|political}} importance. [[Kosala]] was already the paramount [[Power]] in [[India]], and several successful invasions of [[Kāsi]] by the [[Kosalans]] under their [[kings]] Vanka, Dabbasena and [[Kamsa]], are referred to. The final conquest would seem to be ascribed to [[Kamsa]] because the [[Epithet]] [[Bārānasī]]ggha (conqueror of [[Benares]]) is an established addition to his [[name]] (J.ii.403). | ||
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Later, when [[Ajātasattu]] succeeded in establishing his sway over [[Kosala]], with the help of the [[Licchavis]], [[Kāsī]], too, was included in his {{Wiki|kingdom}}. Even in The [[Buddha]]'s [[time]] the city of [[Benares]] was wealthy and [[prosperous]] and was included in the list of great cities suggested by [[Ananda]] as suitable places for the [[Parinibbāna]] of The [[Buddha]] (D.ii.146). | Later, when [[Ajātasattu]] succeeded in establishing his sway over [[Kosala]], with the help of the [[Licchavis]], [[Kāsī]], too, was included in his {{Wiki|kingdom}}. Even in The [[Buddha]]'s [[time]] the city of [[Benares]] was wealthy and [[prosperous]] and was included in the list of great cities suggested by [[Ananda]] as suitable places for the [[Parinibbāna]] of The [[Buddha]] (D.ii.146). | ||
− | Mention is also made of a Bānārasīsetthi (E.g., DhA.i.412; iii. 87, 365) and a Santhāgārasālā (Mote Hall), which was then, however, no longer {{Wiki|being}} used so much for the transaction of public business as for public discussions on [[religious]] and [[philosophical]] questions. E.g., J.iv.74; [[ascetics]] who came to the city found lodging for the night in the Potters' Hall (e.g., DhA.i.39). | + | Mention is also made of a Bānārasīsetthi (E.g., DhA.i.412; iii. 87, 365) and a [[Santhāgārasālā]] (Mote Hall), which was then, however, no longer {{Wiki|being}} used so much for the transaction of public business as for public discussions on [[religious]] and [[philosophical]] questions. E.g., J.iv.74; [[ascetics]] who came to the city found lodging for the night in the Potters' Hall (e.g., DhA.i.39). |
[[File:Ind365.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | [[File:Ind365.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | ||
− | Near [[Benares]] was a grove of seven sirīsaka [[trees]] where The [[Buddha]] {{Wiki|preached}} to the [[Nāga]] [[king]] Erakapatta (DhA.iii.230), and also the Kemiyambavana where [[Udena]] met [[Ghotamukha]] (M.ii.158); on the other side of the [[river]] was Vāsabhagāma, and [[beyond]] that another village called Cundatthila (PvA.168). | + | Near [[Benares]] was a grove of seven sirīsaka [[trees]] where The [[Buddha]] {{Wiki|preached}} to the [[Nāga]] [[king]] Erakapatta (DhA.iii.230), and also the Kemiyambavana where [[Udena]] met [[Ghotamukha]] (M.ii.158); on the other side of the [[river]] was [[Vāsabhagāma]], and [[beyond]] that another village called Cundatthila (PvA.168). |
− | The [[Buddha]] is several times spoken of as staying in [[Benares]], where he {{Wiki|preached}} several [[sermons]] (E.g., A.i.110f., 279f.; iii.392ff., 399ff.; S.i.105; v.406; Vin.i.189, 216f., 289) and converted many [[people]] including [[Yasa]], whose home was in [[Benares]] (Vin.i.15), and his friends [[Vimala]], Subāhu, Punnaji and [[Gavampati]], all members of {{Wiki|eminent}} families (Vin.i.19). [[Isipatana]] (q.v.) became a [[monastic]] centre in The [[Buddha]]'s [[time]] and continued so for long after. From there came twelve thousand [[Monks]] under the [[leadership]] of [[Dhammasena]] to be {{Wiki|present}} at the {{Wiki|ceremony}} of the foundation of the [[Mahā Thūpa]] (Mhv.xxix.31). | + | The [[Buddha]] is several times spoken of as staying in [[Benares]], where he {{Wiki|preached}} several [[sermons]] (E.g., A.i.110f., 279f.; iii.392ff., 399ff.; S.i.105; v.406; Vin.i.189, 216f., 289) and converted many [[people]] [[including]] [[Yasa]], whose home was in [[Benares]] (Vin.i.15), and his friends [[Vimala]], [[Subāhu]], Punnaji and [[Gavampati]], all members of {{Wiki|eminent}} families (Vin.i.19). [[Isipatana]] (q.v.) became a [[monastic]] centre in The [[Buddha]]'s [[time]] and continued so for long after. From there came twelve thousand [[Monks]] under the [[leadership]] of [[Dhammasena]] to be {{Wiki|present}} at the {{Wiki|ceremony}} of the foundation of the [[Mahā Thūpa]] (Mhv.xxix.31). |
In the {{Wiki|past}}, [[Bārānasī]] was the birthplace of [[Kassapa Buddha]] (Bu.xxv.33). In the [[time]] of [[Metteyya]] [[Buddha]], [[Bārānasī]] will be known as {{Wiki|Ketumatī}} at the {{Wiki|head}} of eighty four thousand towns. [[Sankha]] will be [[Cakkavatti]] there, but he will {{Wiki|renounce}} the [[World]] and will become an [[Arahant]] under [[Metteyya]] (D.iii.75f). [[Bārānasī]] evidently derives its [[name]] from the fact that it lies between the two [[rivers]] Barnā and Asi (CAGI.499f). | In the {{Wiki|past}}, [[Bārānasī]] was the birthplace of [[Kassapa Buddha]] (Bu.xxv.33). In the [[time]] of [[Metteyya]] [[Buddha]], [[Bārānasī]] will be known as {{Wiki|Ketumatī}} at the {{Wiki|head}} of eighty four thousand towns. [[Sankha]] will be [[Cakkavatti]] there, but he will {{Wiki|renounce}} the [[World]] and will become an [[Arahant]] under [[Metteyya]] (D.iii.75f). [[Bārānasī]] evidently derives its [[name]] from the fact that it lies between the two [[rivers]] Barnā and Asi (CAGI.499f). |
Latest revision as of 16:08, 16 February 2024
Benares: The capital of Kāsi-janapada. It was one of the four places of pilgrimage for the Buddhists - the others being Kapilavatthu, Buddhagayā and Kusināra - because it was at, the Migadāya in Isipatana near Bārānasī that The Buddha preached his first sermon to the Pañcavaggiyā (D.ii.141). This was the spot at which all Buddhas set in motion the Wheel of the Law (Dhamma-Cakka). It is the custom of Buddhas to travel by air from the Bodhi-tree to the scene of their first sermon, a distance of eighteen leagues (MA.i.388; Bu.A.242, etc.), but the present Buddha did all the journey on foot in order to be able to meet on the way the Ajīvaka Upaka.
Benares was an important centre of trade and industry. There was direct trade between there and Sāvatthi (DhA.iii.429), the road passing through Bhaddiya (Vin.i.189), and between there and Takkasilā (DhA.i.123). It was the custom for enthusiastic young men of Benares to go to the university at Takkasilā (E.g., J.ii.4; DhA.i.250), but there seem to have been educational institutions at Benares also, some of which were older than even those of Takkasilā (KhA.198; see also DhA.iii.445, where Susīma, Sankha's son, goes from Takkasilā to Benares for purposes of study).
From Verañjā to Benares there seem to have been two routes: one rather circuitous, passing through Soreyya, and the other direct, crossing the Ganges at Payāgatittha. From Benares the road continued to Vesāli (Sp.i.201). On the road from Benares to Rājagaha was Andhakavinda (Vin.i.220). There seems to have been friendly intercourse between the chieftains of Benares and the kings of Magadha, as shown by the fact that Bimbisāra sent his own physician, Jīvaka, to attend to the son of the Treasurer of Benares (Vin.i.275). The distance from Kosambī to Benares was thirty leagues by river (MA.ii.929).
The extent of the city of Benares, including its suburbs, at the time when it was the capital of an independent kingdom, is often stated (E.g., J.iv.377; vi.160; MA.ii.608) to have been twelve leagues. The names of several kings are mentioned in the Jātakas, among them being those of Anga, Uggasena, Udaya, Kikī, Dhanañjaya, Mahāsīlava, Vissasena, and Samyama. (The SNA. on the Khaggavisāna Sutta contains the names of several kings of Benares who renounced the World and became Pacceka Buddhas).
The name which occurs most frequently, however, is that of Brahmadatta, which seems to have been the dynastic name of the Benares kings. In the Mahāgovinda Sutta, the foundation of Bārānasī is attributed to Mahāgovinda, its first king being Dhatarattha, contemporary of Renu (D.ii.235). The Ceylon Chronicles (MT. 127,129,130) mention the names of others who reigned in Benares - e.g., Duppasaha and sixty of his descendants; Asoka, son of Samankara, and eighty four thousand of his descendants; also sixteen kings, ancestors of Okkāka. The city itself had been known by different names at different periods; thus, in the time of the Udaya Jātaka it was called Surundhana; in that of the Sutasoma, Sudassana; in that of the Sonananda, Brahmavaddhana; in that of the Khandahāla, Pupphavatī; in that of the Yuvañjaya, Rammanagara (J.iv.119f); and in that of the Sankha, Molinī (J.iv.15). It was also called Kāsinagara and Kāsipura (E.g., J.v.54; vi.165; DhA.i.87), being the capital of Kāsi. The Bhojājāniya Jātaka (J.i.178) says that "all the kings around coveted the kingdom of Benares." In the Brahāchatta Jātaka (J.iii.116), the king of Benares is mentioned as having captured the whole of Kosala. At the time of The Buddha, however, Benares had lost its great political importance. Kosala was already the paramount Power in India, and several successful invasions of Kāsi by the Kosalans under their kings Vanka, Dabbasena and Kamsa, are referred to. The final conquest would seem to be ascribed to Kamsa because the Epithet Bārānasīggha (conqueror of Benares) is an established addition to his name (J.ii.403).
Later, when Ajātasattu succeeded in establishing his sway over Kosala, with the help of the Licchavis, Kāsī, too, was included in his kingdom. Even in The Buddha's time the city of Benares was wealthy and prosperous and was included in the list of great cities suggested by Ananda as suitable places for the Parinibbāna of The Buddha (D.ii.146).
Mention is also made of a Bānārasīsetthi (E.g., DhA.i.412; iii. 87, 365) and a Santhāgārasālā (Mote Hall), which was then, however, no longer being used so much for the transaction of public business as for public discussions on religious and philosophical questions. E.g., J.iv.74; ascetics who came to the city found lodging for the night in the Potters' Hall (e.g., DhA.i.39).
Near Benares was a grove of seven sirīsaka trees where The Buddha preached to the Nāga king Erakapatta (DhA.iii.230), and also the Kemiyambavana where Udena met Ghotamukha (M.ii.158); on the other side of the river was Vāsabhagāma, and beyond that another village called Cundatthila (PvA.168).
The Buddha is several times spoken of as staying in Benares, where he preached several sermons (E.g., A.i.110f., 279f.; iii.392ff., 399ff.; S.i.105; v.406; Vin.i.189, 216f., 289) and converted many people including Yasa, whose home was in Benares (Vin.i.15), and his friends Vimala, Subāhu, Punnaji and Gavampati, all members of eminent families (Vin.i.19). Isipatana (q.v.) became a monastic centre in The Buddha's time and continued so for long after. From there came twelve thousand Monks under the leadership of Dhammasena to be present at the ceremony of the foundation of the Mahā Thūpa (Mhv.xxix.31).
In the past, Bārānasī was the birthplace of Kassapa Buddha (Bu.xxv.33). In the time of Metteyya Buddha, Bārānasī will be known as Ketumatī at the head of eighty four thousand towns. Sankha will be Cakkavatti there, but he will renounce the World and will become an Arahant under Metteyya (D.iii.75f). Bārānasī evidently derives its name from the fact that it lies between the two rivers Barnā and Asi (CAGI.499f).