Vaishali Institute Research Bulletin 3

Author(s): R P Poddar
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

Page 102

THE SRAMAN TRADITION AND VAISALI
93
The Buddha too was so much charmed with the conduct of the Vaišālians that he looked upon them with kindness and approbation. The seven conditions of welfare (Satta Apparihäniya Dhammā) with which he characterised them in answer to the queries put to him by the ministers of Ajātaśatru sent to him, are very well known. These Satta Aparihāniya Dhammā, were taught to the Vaiśālians by the Buddha in the Sārandada Catiya, and he was confident that so long as these principles were observed the Vajjis be expected not to decline but to prosper.
The Samyutta Nikāya further represents the Buddha speaking of the Vašalians thus; “Look ye Bhikkhus here, how these Licchavi sleeping with logs of wood as pillows, strenous and diligent (appamattā), zealous and active (ātāpino) in archery. Ajātasattu Vedehiputto, the Magadhan king can find no defect in them, nor can he discover any cause of action against them). Should the Licchavi's O Bhikkhus, in the time to come be very delicate, tender and soft in their arms and legs, should they sleep in ease and comfort on cushions of the finest cotton until the sun is up in the heavens, then the Magadhan king Ajātasattu Vedehiputto will find defects and will discover cause of action.21
Vaiśāli is remembered in the history of Buddhism for reasons more than one. We should bear in mind that many vital decisions affecting the Dhamma and the Samgha were arrived at in Vaiśāli. Among the important Suttas which were formulated here, mention many be made of the *Mahāli, Mahāsihanāda, Culu Saccaka, Mahā Saccaka, Tevijja, Vacchagotta, Sunakkhatta, Ratāna,92 Licchavi, Catiya, Chhiggala, Anurādha, Pajjunadhitu, Ayatana, 28 etc. The Telovada Jātaka and Sigāla Jātaka were also preached here. Besides various Vinaya rules pertaining to those of food, water, cloth, buildings, general living and so on were framed here.
Moreover, it was here that the foundation stone of the Bhikhuni Samgha (order of the Nuns) was laid. We hear of how the Buddha received a deputation of Sākyan ladies headed by his foster mother Prajāpati Gotāmi, who had come all along from Kapilavastu to receive ordination. The Buddha after much insistance of Ananda, reluctantly granted the permission on certain conditions known as Attha Guru Dhammā. On this occasion, the Buddha is said to have predicted that the Saddhamma that would have lasted for five thousand years, would now be very short lived.24
21. Samyutta Nikaya (P. T. S.) Part II, pp. 267-68. 22. Malalasekera, G. P., DPPN, Vol. II, p. 949. 23. Upāsak, C. S. : * qign # nat, p. 6. 24. Ibid (op. cit.) (Cullavagga, pp. 376-77) p. 9.