Monasteries at the time of the Buddha. The word 'monastery' refers not merely to a temple, but to 'abode' (
vihara).
| Name |
City |
Description |
| ? |
Vesali |
The Pointed Roof Monastery. See e.g. A08-053. |
| ? |
Nadika |
The Stone Hall. See e.g. D16. |
| Aggalava |
Alavi |
See e.g. Snp2-12. |
| Bhesakala Vana |
? |
Monastery at Sumsumara Giri in Bhagga district. See e.g. Dhp227-230. |
| Caliya Pabbata |
? |
See e.g. Dhp227-230. |
| Gayasisa |
Gaya |
Rock at Gaya, now called Brahmayoni. Here at Gayasisa, the Buddha preached the famous Adittapariyaya Sutta - The Fire Speech (S35-028) to a thousand new monks.
|
| Ghosita |
Kosambi |
See e.g. A05-159. |
| Gijjhakuta |
Rajagaha |
The Vulture Peak. A favorite abode of the Buddha. King Bimbisara had a path built to facilitate the journey to the top of the mountain. Later a path was laid over it which is still clearly visible. |
| Jetavana |
Savatthi |
Monastery of Jeta at Savatthi. The Jetavana Monastery was a gift from Anathapindika, the Buddha's main male sponsor. His name literally means 'he who gives food to the helpless'. See the description at Anathapindika how he bought the land from Prince Jeta. It is in this monastery where the Buddha delivered 35% of his speeches. Savatthi is today identified as Sahet-Mahet, which is near Balrampur.
From the 21st year to the 44th year of his service, the Buddha spent the rainy seasons in the Jetavana Monastery and the Pubbarama Monastery at Savatthi, because of the great generosity of Anathapindika and Visakha, the respectful donors of the two places. This explains why most of the speeches were told there. See e.g. Dhp227-230. |
| Mahavana |
Vesali |
The Great Hall. See e.g. Dhp227-230. |
| Mankula Pabbata |
Kosambi |
See e.g. Dhp227-230. |
| Parileyyaka Vana |
Kosambi? |
In this forest the Buddha stayed in seclusion when there was disagreement among the monks. See e.g. Dhp227-230. |
| Pasanaka Cethiya |
Gaya |
The Rock Temple. Near the Barabar and Nagarjuni Hills north of Gaya, there is an isolated hill, today called Kauadol. This is the hill where the event of the fifth chapter of the Sutta Nipata took place. See the wonderful chapter Parayana vagga - The Way to the Other Side (SnpHfd5). |
| Pubbarama |
Savatthi |
Monastery that donated Visakha, on the east side of Savatthi. See also Jetavana for more information. The Pubbarama Monastery (the Eastern Monastery) is now represented by the village of Khanbari. |
| Rajakarama |
Savatthi |
Monastery at Savatthi. |
| Veluvana |
Rajagaha |
The Bamboo Grove at Rajagaha that King Bimbisara donated. At the time of the Buddha, there were several places in Veluvana that are often referred to in the suttas, such as: the Squirrel Feeding Place (Kalandakanivapa); the Peacock Feeding Place (Moranivapa); and the Beautiful Lotus Pond (Sumagadha). Only the Sumagadha can now be located with certainty. |