The Geographical Dictionary of Ancient and Mediaeval India c5.s5.54.5

c5.s5.54.5

and Lalita-vistara, ch. 16). The Sonabhāṇḍār cave on the southern face of the Baibhāra hill within the valley of the ancient town of Rājagṛiha (incorrectly identified by General Cunningham with the Saptaparṇi cave where the first Buddhist synod was held) (*Arch. S. Rep.*, vol. III; Fergusson’s *Cave Temples of India*, p. 49) has been identified by Mr. Beglar with the “Stone Cavern” of Fa Hian, where Buddha used to sit in profound meditation. At a short distance to the east is another cell where Ānanda practised meditation. When Ānanda was frightened by Māra, Buddha through a cleft in the rock introduced his hand and stroked Ānanda on the shoulder and removed his fear (*Arch. S. Rep.*, vol. 3). There are still thirteen socket holes in front of Buddha’s cave indicating that a hall existed there where Buddha “delivered the law” as Fa Hian calls it. In the curve formed by the Bipula and Ratnagiri hills, near the northern gate, was situated a mango-garden formerly belonging to Ambapālī and then to Jīvaka, the court-physician to king Bimbisāra, in which the latter built a *vihāra* and gave it to Buddha and his 1250 disciples (*SBE.*, vol. XVII; *Sāmaññaphala Sutta*, and Fa Hian’s *Fo-kwo-ki*). Cunningham also places Devadatta’s house within the curve (*Arch. S. Rep.*, vol. III), but the location is very doubtful. Devadatta’s cave was situated outside the old city on the north and at a distance of three *li* to the east (*Legge’s Fa Hian*, p. XXX).