Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c29.254

v2.c29.254

The Buddha is several times spoken of as staying in Benares, where he preached several sermons²⁸ and converted many people including Yasa, whose home was in Benares,²⁹ and his friends Vimala, Subāhu, Puṇṇaji and Gavampati, all members of eminent families.³⁰ Isipatana (q.v.) became a monastic centre in the Buddha's time and continued so for long after. From there came twelve thousand monks under the leadership of Dhammasena to be present at the ceremony of the foundation of the Mahā Thūpa.³¹