Tribes In Ancient India

SR No.: 007311
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Bimla Charn Law
Publisher: Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute
Publication Year: 1943
Total Pages: 449
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 132 MB

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TRIBES IN ANCIENT INDIA
The Buddha's favourite retreat at Kaušāmbi was undoubtedly the Ghositārāma where he stayed on several occasions. For instance, we read in the Majjhima Nikāya 2 that once while the Buddha was staying at the Ghositārāma, he tried to prevent the Kauśāmbian monks, who were divided into two parties, from quarrelling. From the Surāpāna Jātaka we learn that the Buddha, after staying for a long time at Bhaddavatika, went to Kausāmbi where he was cordially received by the townsfolk, some of whom invited him to a meal. On this occasion the Buddha condemned the drinking of intoxicants,3 While dwelling at the Badarika monastery in Kaušāmbi, the Buddha related the Tipallatthamiga Jātaka about the elder Rahula.4
In the Dhammapadatthakathā,5 we read that there lived at Kausāmbi a householder's son, Kosambivāsī Tissathera, who took ordination from the Buddha. One of the Buddha's chief disciples, Ananda, also delivered several sermons at Kaušāmbi. Among famous followers of the Buddha who stayed at Ghositārāma were Sāriputta and Upavāņa.? After the passing away of the Master, and when the First Great Council was over, Mahākaccāyana lived near Kausāmbī in a forest hermitage with twelve bhikkhus.8
Some of the Kosambians entertained a great respect for the Buddha and the Buddhist faith, and were converted; while we are told that others went so far as to enter the Order and attain arahatship,-e.g. Gavaccha the Less. At the time of the Buddha, Sāmāvati Theri was born in a rich householder's family at Kaušāmbi. She was the favourite friend of Queen Sāmāvati, wife of King Udayana. After the death of the queen, she was very much grieved, and became a bhikkhuņi. Her grief was so bitter that she was unable to attain the ariyamagga. Afterwards listening to the instruction of Ananda, she became free from sorrow by developing insight, and became an arahat.10
When the Vajjian monks carried out the act of excommunication against Yasa, he is said to have risen up into the sky and descended
Pt. 1, PP: ihima Nikāya,
i. pp. 360 foll.
1 See, e.g. Vinaya Texts, Pt. II, p. 285; Ibid., Pt. III, p. 233; Majjhima Nikāya, I, pp. 513ff.; Samyutta Nikāya, III, pp. 94-5; V, pp. 224, 229-30; Sumangalavilāsini, Pt. I, pp. 317-19; Cullavagga (Vinaya Texts, Pt. II, pp. 370ff).
2 Majjhima Nikāya, I, pp. 320 foll; Vol. III, p. 153. 8 Jataka (Fausbô11), Vol. I, pp. 360 foll. 4 Ibid., Vol. I, pp. 160 foll.; Vol. III, pp. 64 foll.
6 Vol. II, pp. 182-5. 6 Samyutta Nikāya, III, pp. 133 foll.; II, pp. 115 foll.; IV, pp. 113-14. 7 Ibid., V, pp. 76-7. 8 See Paramatthadipanī on the Petavatthu, pp. 140-144. 9 Psalms of the Brethren, p. 16. 10 Therīgāthā Comm., P.T.S., pp. 44-5.