Asokārāma
A monastery in Pāṭaliputra, built by and named after the emperor Aśoka (Pāli, Asoka). The monastery was the site of the Third Council (see Council of Pāṭaliputra II) and the centre of events leading up to it.
Arahat Saṅghamittā's Story
[from V. The Third Recital] [Building the 84,000 Monasteries] 480-490 = Mhv. 173-183
All those delightful monasteries he had undertaken to build in all the cities were completed within three years. And through the superintendent Elder Indagutta's psychic power the one called Asokārāma 01 was also completed. In the various places that had been visited by the Victorious Buddha the Lord of the Earth made delightful Shrines.
From the eighty-four thousand cities on all sides letters were brought on the same day, saying: “The monasteries 02 are finished.”
Having heard the letters 03 the Great King, of great power, success and heroism, desired to hold great festivals himself at all the monasteries. In the cities the drum was beaten and it was announced:
- “A week from this day all the monasteries must hold a festival at the same time in all directions. On the whole earth, league by league 04 give a great donation, and make decorations along the pathways and in the village monasteries. In all the monasteries everyday prepare a great donation for the Community of monks, according to the right time, and according to ability, with ornamentation of garlands of flowers and strings of lights here and there, and all musical instruments, and manifold presents. Having taken upon themselves the Observances 05 let everyone listen to Dhamma, and make innumerable offerings and merit on that day.”
And everyone, everywhere, in everyway, in accordance with that order, prepared offerings, delighting the heavens.
