Difference between revisions of "Buddha’s supporters patronize and help in the spread of Buddhism"
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| − | Support and patronage from the different royal houses and lay followers played a vital role to the growth of the Sangha , its missionary activities and the successful spread of Buddhism. The Lord Buddha Gotama, Himself, realized the importance of such support and patronage for the success of His mission. | + | Support and patronage from the different royal houses and lay followers played a vital role to the growth of the [[Sangha]] , its missionary activities and the successful spread of Buddhism. The Lord [[Buddha]] [[Gotama]], Himself, realized the importance of such support and patronage for the success of His mission. |
[[File:90698 n.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | [[File:90698 n.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | ||
=== Royal Patronage === | === Royal Patronage === | ||
| − | ==== King Bimbisara of Magadha ==== | + | ==== King [[Bimbisara]] of {{Wiki|Magadha}} ==== |
| − | * He donated his pleasure garden, Veluvana to the Buddha so that members of Sangha could have a more settled life and be protected from wild beasts. Lay people could go there to listen to the dhamma. Buddha spent 6 rainy | + | * He donated his pleasure garden, Veluvana to the [[Buddha]] so that members of [[Sangha]] could have a more settled life and be protected from wild beasts. Lay people could go there to listen to the [[dhamma]]. [[Buddha]] spent 6 rainy [[retreats]] There. |
* He built a storeyed house and provided attendants to see to the maintenance of the house. | * He built a storeyed house and provided attendants to see to the maintenance of the house. | ||
| − | * He appointed his personal physician, Jivaka, to attend to the medical needs of the Buddha and the Sangha. | + | * He appointed his personal physician, [[Jivaka]], to attend to the medical needs of the [[Buddha]] and the [[Sangha]]. |
| − | * He encouraged his family members, royal officers and subjects to listen to the dhamma and to practice them in their daily lives. | + | * He encouraged his family members, royal officers and subjects to listen to the [[dhamma]] and to practice them in their daily lives. |
| − | * He also helped the Buddha to formulate several important rules for members of the Sangha. They were not to ordain those who were in royal service as future leaders might not be sympathetic towards Buddhism. He also suggested holding Uposatha Days like the followers of other religions. | + | * He also helped the [[Buddha]] to formulate several important rules for members of the [[Sangha]]. They were not to ordain those who were in royal service as future leaders might not be sympathetic towards [[Buddhism]]. He also suggested holding Uposatha Days like the followers of other [[religions]]. |
====King Pasenadi of Kosala==== | ====King Pasenadi of Kosala==== | ||
| − | * He became a Buddhist after listening to a discourse. | + | * He became a [[Buddhist]] after listening to a discourse. |
| − | * He was a frequent visitor of the Buddha (he would visit the Buddha up to 3 times a day). He would be engaged in valuable discussions with the Buddha. These were recorded in the Samyutta Nikaya as Kosalasamyutta. | + | * He was a frequent visitor of the [[Buddha]] (he would visit the Buddha up to 3 times a day). He would be engaged in valuable discussions with the [[Buddha]]. These were recorded in the [[Samyutta Nikaya]] as Kosalasamyutta. |
| − | * He also spent a great deal in alms giving and various gifts to the Sangha. | + | * He also spent a great deal in alms giving and various gifts to the [[Sangha]]. |
| − | * He built a monastery called Kajakarama in front of the Jetavana and offered it to the nuns. | + | * He built a [[monastery]] called Kajakarama in front of the [[Jetavana]] and offered it to the [[nuns]]. |
| − | * He also influenced his family members to Buddhism. His son, Brahmadatta became an arahant after joining the Sangha and his sister, Sumana became a nun. | + | * He also influenced his family members to [[Buddhism]]. His son, [[Brahmadatta]] became an [[arahant]] after joining the [[Sangha]] and his sister, Sumana became a nun. |
====King Pajjota of Avanti==== | ====King Pajjota of Avanti==== | ||
| − | * A devout Buddhist, who offered valuable gifts to the Sangha. | + | * A devout [[Buddhist]], who offered valuable gifts to the [[Sangha]]. |
| − | * He sent his royal priest, Mahakaccayana to visit the Buddha and listen to the Dhamma. Mahakaccayana was converted to Buddhism. With the King’s support, the royal priest converted many to Buddhism and established monasteries as well. | + | * He sent his royal priest, [[Mahakaccayana]] to visit the [[Buddha]] and listen to the [[Dhamma]]. [[Mahakaccayana]] was converted to [[Buddhism]]. With the King’s support, the royal priest converted many to [[Buddhism]] and established [[monasteries]] as well. |
====King Udena of Vatsa==== | ====King Udena of Vatsa==== | ||
| − | * When he became a Buddhist, he gave meals daily to monks at his palace and also constructed many monasteries. Due to his support, Kosambi became a great center of Buddhism. | + | * When he became a [[Buddhist]], he gave meals daily to [[monks]] at his palace and also constructed many [[monasteries]]. Due to his support, Kosambi became a great center of [[Buddhism]]. |
===Lay Supporters=== | ===Lay Supporters=== | ||
[[File:Buddha6.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | [[File:Buddha6.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | ||
| − | ==== Anathapindika ==== | + | ==== [[Anathapindika]] ==== |
| − | * Chief alms giver and famous for his generous support of the Buddha and the Sangha. | + | * Chief alms giver and famous for his generous support of the [[Buddha]] and the [[Sangha]]. |
| − | * He purchased a park from Prince Jeta and built the famous Jetavana monastery. Buddha spent 19 rainy retreats there and the monastery became the focal point of Buddhism. | + | * He purchased a park from Prince Jeta and built the famous [[Jetavana]] [[monastery]]. [[Buddha]] spent 19 rainy retreats there and the [[monastery]] became the focal point of [[Buddhism]]. |
| − | * He supplied the Sangha with all the necessities. | + | * He supplied the [[Sangha]] with all the necessities. |
| − | * Several monks went daily to his home for the noon meals. | + | * Several [[monks]] went daily to his home for the noon meals. |
| − | * Even when he was in poverty and was without much funds, he still continued to provide food for the monks. | + | * Even when he was in poverty and was without much funds, he still continued to provide food for the [[monks]]. |
* 2 of his daughters attained Stream Entry whilst another attained the stage of Once Returner. | * 2 of his daughters attained Stream Entry whilst another attained the stage of Once Returner. | ||
| − | * His son showed no interest at first but enticed by his father, he first kept the Uposatha Day and later went to the monastery to listen to the sermon. He attained Stream Entry and followed his father’s generous donation. | + | * His son showed no interest at first but enticed by his father, he first kept the [[Uposatha Day]] and later went to the monastery to listen to the sermon. He attained Stream Entry and followed his father’s generous donation. |
==== Visakha ==== | ==== Visakha ==== | ||
| − | * Foremost amongst | + | * Foremost amongst [[Buddha]]’s female lay donors. |
| − | * She was generous and helpful to the community of monks. | + | * She was generous and helpful to the community of [[monks]]. |
| − | * She was responsible for the construction and donation of a monastery called the Pubbarama to the Sangha. | + | * She was responsible for the construction and donation of a [[monastery]] called the [[Pubbarama]] to the [[Sangha]]. |
| − | * She requested the Buddha to grant her 8 wishes which the Buddha did. They were: | + | * She requested the [[Buddha]] to grant her 8 wishes which the [[Buddha]] did. They were: |
| − | ** To offer bathing clothes to the monks. | + | ** To offer bathing clothes to the [[monks]]. |
| − | ** To offer meals to resident monks. | + | ** To offer meals to resident [[monks]]. |
| − | ** To offer meals to visiting monks. | + | ** To offer meals to visiting [[monks]]. |
| − | ** To provide food for sick monks. | + | ** To provide food for sick [[monks]]. |
** To provide food for those who attend to the sick. | ** To provide food for those who attend to the sick. | ||
| − | ** To provide medicine for the sick. | + | ** To provide {{Wiki|medicine}} for the sick. |
| − | ** To provide gruel to monks. | + | ** To provide gruel to [[monks]]. |
| − | ** To provide bathing garments for nuns. | + | ** To provide bathing garments for [[nuns]]. |
| − | * She invited the Buddha to her home and her father-in-law attained first stage of sainthood after listening to the | + | * She invited the [[Buddha]] to her home and her father-in-law attained first stage of sainthood after listening to the [[Buddha]]’s sermon. Later her mother-in-law also attained first stage of sainthood. |
| − | * Gradually she succeeded in converting her husband’s household to a Buddhist one. | + | * Gradually she succeeded in converting her husband’s household to a [[Buddhist]] one. |
{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
Revision as of 23:40, 7 July 2013
Support and patronage from the different royal houses and lay followers played a vital role to the growth of the Sangha , its missionary activities and the successful spread of Buddhism. The Lord Buddha Gotama, Himself, realized the importance of such support and patronage for the success of His mission.
Royal Patronage
King Bimbisara of Magadha
- He donated his pleasure garden, Veluvana to the Buddha so that members of Sangha could have a more settled life and be protected from wild beasts. Lay people could go there to listen to the dhamma. Buddha spent 6 rainy retreats There.
- He built a storeyed house and provided attendants to see to the maintenance of the house.
- He appointed his personal physician, Jivaka, to attend to the medical needs of the Buddha and the Sangha.
- He encouraged his family members, royal officers and subjects to listen to the dhamma and to practice them in their daily lives.
- He also helped the Buddha to formulate several important rules for members of the Sangha. They were not to ordain those who were in royal service as future leaders might not be sympathetic towards Buddhism. He also suggested holding Uposatha Days like the followers of other religions.
King Pasenadi of Kosala
- He became a Buddhist after listening to a discourse.
- He was a frequent visitor of the Buddha (he would visit the Buddha up to 3 times a day). He would be engaged in valuable discussions with the Buddha. These were recorded in the Samyutta Nikaya as Kosalasamyutta.
- He also spent a great deal in alms giving and various gifts to the Sangha.
- He built a monastery called Kajakarama in front of the Jetavana and offered it to the nuns.
- He also influenced his family members to Buddhism. His son, Brahmadatta became an arahant after joining the Sangha and his sister, Sumana became a nun.
King Pajjota of Avanti
- A devout Buddhist, who offered valuable gifts to the Sangha.
- He sent his royal priest, Mahakaccayana to visit the Buddha and listen to the Dhamma. Mahakaccayana was converted to Buddhism. With the King’s support, the royal priest converted many to Buddhism and established monasteries as well.
King Udena of Vatsa
- When he became a Buddhist, he gave meals daily to monks at his palace and also constructed many monasteries. Due to his support, Kosambi became a great center of Buddhism.
Lay Supporters
Anathapindika
- Chief alms giver and famous for his generous support of the Buddha and the Sangha.
- He purchased a park from Prince Jeta and built the famous Jetavana monastery. Buddha spent 19 rainy retreats there and the monastery became the focal point of Buddhism.
- He supplied the Sangha with all the necessities.
- Several monks went daily to his home for the noon meals.
- Even when he was in poverty and was without much funds, he still continued to provide food for the monks.
- 2 of his daughters attained Stream Entry whilst another attained the stage of Once Returner.
- His son showed no interest at first but enticed by his father, he first kept the Uposatha Day and later went to the monastery to listen to the sermon. He attained Stream Entry and followed his father’s generous donation.
Visakha
- Foremost amongst Buddha’s female lay donors.
- She was generous and helpful to the community of monks.
- She was responsible for the construction and donation of a monastery called the Pubbarama to the Sangha.
- She requested the Buddha to grant her 8 wishes which the Buddha did. They were:
- She invited the Buddha to her home and her father-in-law attained first stage of sainthood after listening to the Buddha’s sermon. Later her mother-in-law also attained first stage of sainthood.
- Gradually she succeeded in converting her husband’s household to a Buddhist one.
