Anathapindika

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Anathapindika
Anathapindika covers Jetavana with coins (Bharhut, Brahmi text: jetavana ananthapindiko deti kotisanthatena keta
Personal
Other namesSudatta
OccupationUpasaka
Senior posting
TeacherBuddha
Anathapindika's great act of charity

Anathapindika (Pāli: Anāthapiṇḍika; Sanskrit: Anāthapiṇḍada), was the chief lay disciple and the greatest patron of Gautama Buddha. Born Sudatta, he received the nickname Anathapindika, literally "one who gives alms to the poor", due to his reputation of loving to give to those in need. Anathapindika was a wealthy merchant, frequently referred to as Anathapindika-setthi (setthi meaning "wealthy person" or "millionaire"), and was described in Buddhist scriptures as having been the wealthiest merchant in Savatthi at the time. He is known as the lay disciple of the Buddha who was foremost in generosity. Anāthapindika is sometimes referred to as Mahā Anāthapindika to distinguish him from Cūla Anāthapindika, another disciple of the Buddha.

Biography

First Encounter with the Buddha

The Pali Canon describes Anathapindika's first encounter with the Buddha as being in Rājagaha. While on business, Anathapindika went to visit his brother-in-law, who was already a follower of the Buddha. When he arrived at this brother-in-law's house, he noticed that the household was preparing for an elaborate feast, and mistook it as preparation for a wedding or a visit from the king.[1] When Anathapindika asked about the preparations, his brother-in-law explained that they were preparing for a visit from the Buddha (the Enlightened One) and his monks. Upon hearing this, Anathapindika became overjoyed, exclaiming "You mean that a fully enlightened being had arisen in the world?", and immediately resolved to go meet him.[2]

The following day Anathapindika arose early to meet the Buddha, but realized it was still dark. He still continued however, after a friendly yakka whispered in his ear and urged him to continue. Anathapindika eventually reached a figure which called him "Sudatta" and asked him to come forward. Surprised to hear his birth name, which was not known to the public, he concluded it could only be the Buddha, and went forward. The Buddha then had a discussion with him and expounded the Four Noble Truths, afterwards Anathapindika achieved the state of Sotapanna, a stage of enlightenment.[3][1][2]

Building Jetavana Monastery

Following Anathapindika's first encounter with the Buddha, he requested to offer him a meal, which was accepted, and then asked to build a temple for him and his monks in his hometown of Savatthi, to which the Buddha agreed.[4]

Shortly after, Anathapindika went back to Savatthi to search for a place to build the monastery. Looking for a place that was both accessible to followers and peacefully secluded, he came across a park belonging to Prince Jeta, the son of King Pasenadi of Kosala. Anathapindika offered to buy the park from the prince but the prince refused, after Anathapindika persisted, the prince joking said he will sell him the park if he covers it with gold coins, to which Anathapindika agreed.[2]

Anathapindika later came back with wagons full of gold pieces to cover the park with, although Prince Jeta stated he was merely joking, he later agreed to sell the park and offered to build a wall and gate for the monastery after seeing Anathapindika's resolve. Afterwards, Anathapindika spent several million more gold pieces building the temple and its furnishings, in what would come to be known as the Jetavana Monastery, also often referred to in Buddhist scriptures as "Anathapindika's Monastery".[4][5]

Generosity

Anathapindika's generosity and his devotion to the Buddha is described as being unyielding and incorruptible. Not only did he regularly provide alms and necessities to the monks at Jetavana, he hosted hundreds of monks at his residence for meals daily. Anathapindika's generosity even inspired King Pasenadi, another follower of the Buddha, to himself start generous patronage of the Buddhist clergy, the Sangha.[4]

Anathapindika's love of giving, combined with some misfortune, at one point reduced the setthi to poverty. But even in times of hardship, Anathapindika was described as continuing his patronage of Buddhism, although with much more modest gifts. His wealth was eventually restored to him however, due to the power of the merit of his generosity.[6]

The Story of the Earth Spirit

In a particularly famous Buddhist story, Anathapindika's wealth was restored to him via a redemptive spirit or deva. Anathapindika lost a significant amount of his fortune in a flash flood, which washed away large amounts of his gold, as well as due to lending out large amounts to his friends. During this period, a spirit was living in Anathapindika's house. According to the laws of his realm, the deva had to leave his abode whenever the Buddha or a monk was in the house, as a form of respect. Annoyed by this, the deva appeared before Anathapindika and suggested he stop his patronage of Buddhism since he was no longer wealthy. Appalled by this suggestion, Anathapindika stated that he would continue to support Buddhism so long as he had something to give and ordered the deva to leave. The deva was then forced to leave his house and find a new place to live. The homeless deva went to several authorities, eventually reaching Sakka, the king of the devas in Trāyastriṃśa, who suggested he must atone by retrieving Anathapindika's lost gold, convincing his debtors to repay their debts, and by giving Anathapindika a buried treasure, which had no owner. This resulted in Anathapindika returning to wealth, even richer than he was before.[2][6][1]

The Case of Kalakanni

The extent of Anathapindika's generosity was not limited just to material gifts. One famous story described in the Buddhist scriptures is the story of Kalakanni. Kalakanni (whose name means "unlucky bird")[7] was a childhood friend of Anathapindika who was impoverished. When Kalakanni asked Anathapindika for aid, the setthi offered him a job at his house. This decision was met with backlash from Anathapindika's household, due to Kalakanni's low status and the superstition at the time of Kalakanni's name being a bad omen. Anathapindika ignored this superstition and his status however, and granted his friend a job. This eventually worked in the favor of the household however, when a group of thieves attempted to rob Anathapindika while he was away on a business trip. When Kalakanni noticed the thieves, he started making loud noises, convincing the thieves that the household was full and causing them to leave.[7]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Anathapindika: The Great Benefactor". www.accesstoinsight.org. Retrieved 2017-10-07.
  2. ^ a b c d Dhammika, Shravasti (2005-12-01). The Buddha and His Disciples. Buddhist Publication Society. ISBN 9789552402807.
  3. ^ "Anathapindiko". obo.genaud.net. Retrieved 2017-10-07.
  4. ^ a b c "Anathapindika: The Great Benefactor". www.accesstoinsight.org. Retrieved 2017-10-07.
  5. ^ Dhammika, Shravasti (2005-12-01). The Buddha and His Disciples. Buddhist Publication Society. ISBN 9789552402807.
  6. ^ a b Ilchman, Warren Frederick; Katz, Stanley Nider; Queen, Edward L. (1998). Philanthropy in the World's Traditions. Indiana University Press. p. 89. ISBN 025333392X.
  7. ^ a b "Anathapindika: The Great Benefactor". www.accesstoinsight.org. Retrieved 2017-10-07.

External links

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