Jeta's Grove
Jeta Grove
Anathapindika found a beautiful forest area that belonged to Prince Jeta, king Pasenadi's son. To get the monastery Anathapindika had to cover the entire area with gold pieces laid next to each other costing 18 million. Only one small patch of the ground at the entrance was not covered. But Prince Jeta decided to build a gate-tower on that spot at his own expense to serve as the dividing line between the realms of the sacred and the worldly. Also to shield the monastery from outside noises. Anathapindika spent eighteen million in buildings and furnishing, turning the forest glade into a monastery (Senasanakkhandhaka of the Vinaya Culavagga ). He asked the Buddha : " How should I proceed with the offering of this Jetavana?"
The Buddha answered , " You may dedicate it to the Sangha of the four quarters, present and future." And that was what Anathapindika did.
The Buddha expressed his appreciation in the following verses:
" They ward off cold and heat and beasts of prey from there
And creeping things and gnats and rains in the wet season.
When the dreaded hot wind arises, that is warded off.
To meditate and obtain insight in a shelter and at ease-
A dwelling -place is praised by the Awakened One as chief gift to an Order.
Therefore a wise man looking to his own weal,
Should have dwelling-places built , so that
Learned ones can stay therein.
To these food and drink, raiment and lodgings
He should give, to the upright, with mind purified.
Then these will teach him Dhamma dispelling every ill;
He, knowing that Dhamma, here attains Nibbana, taintless."
This was followed by a big celebration lasting many days. Later Anathapindika lended about 18 millions to business friends and lost around 18 million after a flood. He became poor , but always gives what he can. Sakka ordered a spirit that used to live at Anathapindika's house to recover his wealth for him. The spirit appeared to the debtors in dreams and demand that they repay him. The spirit was also ordered to retrieve the sunken gold and procure unclaimed buried treasure for Anathapindika. Soon he gained 54 million , which was even more than the amount he lost. His wealth was restored and he was rich as usual. Anathapindika then went to the Buddha and told him about all the strange things that occurred (J284) .The Buddha then explained to him how for people with right insight through moral purification, everything is attainable, even Nirvana. At the end of his life, Anathapindika reappeared as a son of a deva in the Tusita heaven ( MN 143). He visited the Buddha that same night and uttered a song of praise.
