Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v1.c6.3173

v1.c6.3173

Avaroja.—A householder in the time of Vipassī Buddha; he had a nephew who was also called Avaroja after his uncle. When the uncle undertook to build a gandhakuṭi for the Buddha, the nephew wished to have a share in the work, but this the uncle would not allow. The former thereupon proceeded to erect a Kuñjarasālā (Elephant Hall), on the site opposite the gandhakuṭi, adorned with the seven kinds of precious minerals. In the centre of the Kuñjarasālā was a jewelled pavilion beneath which was a Preacher's Seat. At the foot of the seat were set four golden rams, of which there were two more under the foot-rest and six round the pavilion. At the festival of dedication, Avaroja invited the Buddha with sixty-eight thousand monks, giving alms to suffice for four months and various gifts to monks and novices.