Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.s2.t11.3

v1.c7.s2.t11.3

The name and fame of Vaishali owes to its Buddhist and Jain connections. Prince Siddharth first came here from Kapilavastu after renunciation in search for enlightenment. Udraka Ramaputra and Alara Kalama of Vaishali were his first spiritual masters. Five years after the attainment of his Buddhahood, he spent a *chaturmaas* (rainy season) in the city and later came here several times. Many of his *Vinay Suttas* were first enunciated here like Mahāli, Mahāsíhanāda, Cúla Saccaka, Mahā Saccaka, Tevijja, Vacchagotta and Sunakkhatta. These also included the Ratan Sutta, mentioned by both Faxian and Xuanzang with reference to Vaishali, which he prescribed to people there to rid the city of all misfortunes and evil. During his last visit to the city, he confided to his disciple, Anand, of his impending Mahaparinirban and made his last journey to Kushinagar after leaving behind his alms bowl. The city is also linked with Buddha's ordaining of his stepmother, Maprajapati Gotmi, and establishment of *sangha* for the Buddhist nuns. In fact, many of the organisational ideas of *sangha* were derived from the governing practices of the city. The famous city courtesan, Amrapali/ Ambapali became his devotee here and donated her mango grove. After the Mahaparinirvana of Buddha, Lichchavis built a *stupa* over their share of his relics. Later, another larger *stupa* with a pillar crowned by a beautiful Asiatic lion was erected by Emperor Asoka. There is also a *stupa* over the relics of his foremost disciple Ananda. The second Buddhist Council was convened here in 383 BCE by the King Kalashok to resolve schism in the Buddhist order.