Local Government in Ancient India c8.37.3

c8.37.3

Then comes Jīvaka, the renowned physician-in-ordinary to Bimbisāra, who was appointed by the king to undertake medical attendance, not on him and his women only, but also on Buddha and Buddha's order; next, the merchant Anāthapindika, who had presented to the order the garden of Jetavana, Buddha's favourite place of resort. In all important places which Buddha touched in the course of his wanderings he found bands of such lay-believers, who went out to meet him, arranged for assemblies in which Buddha spoke, who gave him and his companions their meals, who placed their residences and gardens at their disposal, or made them over to the order as church property. If he went wandering about with hundreds of his disciples, pious votaries were sure to accompany him on his journey with carts and waggons, and they brought necessaries of life, salt, and oil with them, for each in his turn to prepare the wanderer a meal, and crowds of needy folk followed in their train to snatch the remains of these provisions.' And not alone were *male* adherents in the circle of Buddha's followers. For we find the *women* of India zealously engaged as fellow-labourers through charity, assistance, and service, in those practical spheres which the young church opened up for religious usefulness.