:: 2. Gift from Anathapindika. ::
1. After his conversion Anathapindika once went to the Blessed Lord. Taking his seat on his right side, he said:
2. "The Lord knows that I dwell in Shravasti, a land rich in produce, and enjoying peace; Pasendi is the great king thereof.
3. "Now am I wishful to found a Vihar there, I pray you, of your tenderness come to Shravasti and accept it from me."
4. The Blessed Lord kept silent and thereby showed his willingness to accept the gift".
5. Anathapindika, the friend of the destitute and the supporter of orphans, having returned home, saw the garden of the heir-apparent, Jeta, with its green groves and limpid rivulets, and thought: "This is the place which will be most suitable as a Vihara for the fraternity of the Blessed One." And he went to the prince and asked leave to buy the ground.
6. The prince was not inclined to sell the garden for he valued it highly. He at first refused but said at last: " If you can cover it with gold, then, and for no other price, shall you have it."
7. Anathapindika rejoiced and began to spread his gold; but Jeta said: " Spare yourself trouble for I will not sell." But Anathapindika insisted. Thus they differed and contended until they resorted to the magistrate.
8. Meanwhile the people began to talk of the unwonted proceeding and the prince hearing more of the details, and knowing that Anathapindika was not only very wealthy, but also straightforward and sincere, inquired into his plans. On hearing the name of the Blessed One, the prince became anxious to share in the foundation and he accepted only one-half of the gold, saying: " Yours is the land but mine are the trees. I will give the trees as my share of the offering to the Lord."
9. Having made the foundation, they began to build the hall which rose loftily in due proportions according to the directions which the Blessed One had given; and it was beautifully decorated with appropriate carvings.
10. This Vihara was called Jetavana and the friend of the orphans invited the Lord to come to Shravasti and receive the gift. And the Blessed One left Kapilavastu and came to Shravasti.
11. While the Blessed One entered Jetavana, Anathapindika scattered flowers and burned incense, and as a sign of the gift he poured water from a golden dragon pitcher, saying, "This Jetavana Vihara I give for the use of the brotherhood throughout the world."
12. The Blessed One received the gift and replied: " May all evil influences be overcome; may the offering promote the kingdom of righteousness and be a permanent blessing to mankind in general and especially also to the giver."
13. Anathapindika was one of the eighty chief disciples who bore the title of Chief Airnsgiver.
1. After his conversion Anathapindika once went to the Blessed Lord. Taking his seat on his right side, he said:
2. "The Lord knows that I dwell in Shravasti, a land rich in produce, and enjoying peace; Pasendi is the great king thereof.
3. "Now am I wishful to found a Vihar there, I pray you, of your tenderness come to Shravasti and accept it from me."
4. The Blessed Lord kept silent and thereby showed his willingness to accept the gift".
5. Anathapindika, the friend of the destitute and the supporter of orphans, having returned home, saw the garden of the heir-apparent, Jeta, with its green groves and limpid rivulets, and thought: "This is the place which will be most suitable as a Vihara for the fraternity of the Blessed One." And he went to the prince and asked leave to buy the ground.
6. The prince was not inclined to sell the garden for he valued it highly. He at first refused but said at last: " If you can cover it with gold, then, and for no other price, shall you have it."
7. Anathapindika rejoiced and began to spread his gold; but Jeta said: " Spare yourself trouble for I will not sell." But Anathapindika insisted. Thus they differed and contended until they resorted to the magistrate.
8. Meanwhile the people began to talk of the unwonted proceeding and the prince hearing more of the details, and knowing that Anathapindika was not only very wealthy, but also straightforward and sincere, inquired into his plans. On hearing the name of the Blessed One, the prince became anxious to share in the foundation and he accepted only one-half of the gold, saying: " Yours is the land but mine are the trees. I will give the trees as my share of the offering to the Lord."
9. Having made the foundation, they began to build the hall which rose loftily in due proportions according to the directions which the Blessed One had given; and it was beautifully decorated with appropriate carvings.
10. This Vihara was called Jetavana and the friend of the orphans invited the Lord to come to Shravasti and receive the gift. And the Blessed One left Kapilavastu and came to Shravasti.
11. While the Blessed One entered Jetavana, Anathapindika scattered flowers and burned incense, and as a sign of the gift he poured water from a golden dragon pitcher, saying, "This Jetavana Vihara I give for the use of the brotherhood throughout the world."
12. The Blessed One received the gift and replied: " May all evil influences be overcome; may the offering promote the kingdom of righteousness and be a permanent blessing to mankind in general and especially also to the giver."
13. Anathapindika was one of the eighty chief disciples who bore the title of Chief Airnsgiver.
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