Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v1.c6.2559

v1.c6.2559

Ambapālī (Ambapālikā),—A courtesan of Vesālī. She is said to have come spontaneously into being at Vesālī in the gardens of the king. The gardener found her at the foot of a mango tree—hence her name—and brought her to the city. She grew up so full of beauty and of grace that many young princes vied with each other for the honour of her hand. Finally, in order to end their strife, they appointed her courtesan. Later she became a devout follower of the Buddha, and building a vihāra in her own garden, gave it to him and the Order. This was during the Buddha’s last visit to Vesālī shortly before his death. It is said that when Ambapālī heard of the Buddha’s visit to Koṭigāma near Vesālī she and her retinue drove out of the city in magnificent chariots to meet him, and, after hearing a discourse, invited him and the monks to a meal the next day. The Buddha accepted this invitation and had, as a result, to refuse that of the Licchavis of Vesālī.¹