Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.s2.t9.4

v1.c7.s2.t9.4

The city has been referred to in numerous Hindu, Buddhist and Jaina texts. Its fame is linked to the exploits of Mahabharat's powerful legendary King of Magadh, Jarasandh who had many battles with Lord Krishna. Jarasandh, was finally killed in a duel by Bheem, one of the famous Pandava brothers, with the help of Krishna. The city's linkages with historical Buddha and Jain Thirthankar Mahavira as well as with contemporary kings, Bimbisara and Ajatsatru are well recorded. The Pali texts indicate it to be a favourite place of Gautam Buddha. According to legends, King Bimbisara respectfully received Gautam Siddharth as the son of *kshatriya* Shakya King Shuddhodan and made him promise to visit him again after attaining enlightenment. Buddha kept his promise. Not only did he visit Rajgriha soon after his enlightenment but also ordained Bimbisara and his large retinue to his newly established Buddhist fold. Bimbisara dedicated his favourite Venuvana garden to Buddha and his disciples after building a *vihara* [monastery] there. This was the first Buddhist monastery. Buddha spent many rainy seasons [*chaturmasa*] here and visited this city for the last time just before his Mahaparinirvana [ultimate liberation of soul] in Kushinagar. A Pali text describes his happiness and fascination with different sites of the city. These are identified and are now pilgrimage sites and tourist attractions. Buddha's famous disciples, Sariputta and Moggallana, belonged to this place. Soon after his death, the first Buddhist Council [*Sangiti*] was held here under the leadership of Mahakassapa to codify his teachings.