Historical Geography of Ancient India c8.94

c8.94

Pali Buddhist literature gives us some information about the religion of the Aṅgas.¹² The monks of Campā, the capital of the Aṅgas, were in the habit of performing some acts contrary to the rules of Vinaya.¹³ The Buddha, while he was dwelling at Campā, heard Vaṅgīsa, a famous disciple of the Buddha, uttering a stanza in praise of him.¹⁴ Many sons of the householders of Aṅga and Magadha followed the Buddha in course of his journey from Rājagriha to Kapilavastu.¹⁵ The chaplain of king Mahākosala, father of Pasenadi, became his disciple with many others.¹⁶ An Ājīvika declared himself to be a disciple of the Buddha.¹⁷ Bimbisāra was converted to Buddhism with many Brāhmin householders of Aṅga and Magadha.¹ Viśākhā was converted by the Buddha, while dwelling in Aṅga.² All the available evidence points to the fact that within the first decade of the Buddha’s enlightenment, Buddhist headquarters were established in various localities adjoining many important towns including Campā. At everyone of these places sprang up a community of monks under the leadership and guidance of a famous disciple of the Buddha.³