Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c27.1599

v2.c27.1599

Pāsāṇaka-cetiya.—A shrine near Rājagaha, where the disciples of Bāvarī met and questioned the Buddha.¹ The Buddha went there from Sāvatthi, knowing it to be the best place in which to meet them. Bāvarī’s disciples followed him thither. The cetiya was originally a shrine dedicated to some divinity (devaṭṭhāna) and built on a great rock, hence its name. Later, it was converted into a vihāra for the Buddha, being within easy reach of the town. Sakka built there a great hall (maṇḍapa) for the Buddha.² This hall was evidently behind the cetiya (piṭṭhi-pāsāṇe).³