The Jetavana Monastery Shravasti was one of the most famous of the Buddhist monasteries in India. It was the second monastery donated to Buddha, after the Veluvana in Rajagaha- modern day Rajgir. Jetavana Monastery Shravasti In India is located just outside the old city of Shravasti. Jetavana was the place where Buddha gave many teachings and delivered many of the discourses for the first time more than in any other place. Somehow Lord Buddha was in love with the place and spent 24 monsoons of his life, which is more than in any other monastery. The Jetavana Monastery Shravasti is indeed one of the most holy places in Shravasti.
About Jetavana Monastery Shravasti :
Sravasti is an ancient city that is located in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The place is also known as Savathi. The area is associated with Buddha for many reasons and it one of the main places of interest for many Buddhists in the region. One can see many old buildings and structures that are present here. Jetavana Monastery is an ancient monastery that was located near Sravasti. The remains of Lord Buddha’s hut can be seen at the monastery and it is covered with flowers by devotees. There is a Bodhi tree that is located in the monastery as well.
The old walls of the city of Sravasti are still present and this is a testimony to the architectural brilliance of the builders of that period. Three main buildings still stand inside the city walls and these are the places to visit in Sravasti. The Jain temple, Ananthapindika Stupa and the Agulimala Stupa are the main attractions of the area. One can find many Buddhist monks in this place and many of them can be seen meditating under the Ananthabodhi tree. Many monasteries from different countries have been built in this place and these include Thailand, South Korea, China and Tibet.
History of Jetavana Monastery Shravasti :
The Jetavana Monastery Shravasti in Uttar Pradesh in India was a gift for Buddha from the wealthy merchant Sudatta also known as Anathapindika. When Lord Buddha accepted Anathapindika’s invitation to visit Shravasti, Anathapindika was on the lookout for a place favorable to be Buddha’s residence and discovered the park which was located to the south of the city of Shravasti (according to Buddhist scriptures) in the process.
Sudatta asked to be allowed to buy it, from Jeta, the son of King Prasenjeet, and Jeta refused to sell the park even if Sudatta covered it with money; Anathapindika agreed to buy the park at that price; when Jeta refused even after that, the matter was taken before the Lords of Justice, who decided that if the price mentioned were paid, Anathapindika had the right of purchase.
Anathapindika had gold brought down in carts and covered every inch of the park with pieces of gold laid side by side. The money brought in the first journey was found insufficient to cover one small spot near the gateway and so Anathapindika sent his servants back for more, but Jeta, inspired by Anathapindika’s dedication and eagerness to build a shelter for Lord Buddha, asked to be allowed to donate that much land for the Jetavana Monastery Shravasti Uttar Pradesh In India. Anathapindika agreed to his proposal and Jeta erected there a gateway, with a room over it. It is said that An?thapindika paid eighteen crores for the purchase of the site, all of which Jeta spent in the construction of the gateway which was a gift from him to the monastery. Jeta also gave many valuable trees for timber and Anathapindika himself spent fifty-four crores in all for the purchase of the land and building of the structures inside it.
Famous For:
Sravasti is one of the eight most important pilgrimages of Buddhists. The small town in north of Uttar Pradesh used to be the monsoon home for Buddha. Budha used to spend his at the Jetvana Gardens here.
Sravasti is the place where Lord Buddha spent 24 monsoons. The small town lies in Gonda city, near Gorakhpur. Sudatta, a rich business man of Srawasti, was very much charmed by Buddha and his teachings. He invited Buddha to his city and honored him by a great welcome. Buddha used to stay here in Jetvana Vihar, a garden constructed by Sudatta. Buddha didn’t went out of the gardens for entire monsoon, due to fear of overstepping any small insect on the ground. The place is of high religious importance to the Buddhist.
Sravasti play host to the sacred pipal tree, a sapling from the original Maha Bodhi tree under which the Buddha attained nirvana. Today, Jetavana has two monasteries, six temples and five Stupas. Sravasti is not famous as only a Buddhist Pilgrimage centre. The place was also under the influence of Lord Mahavira, the last Jain Tirthankar, and the splendid Shwetambara temple here attracts thousands of Jain pilgrims all the year round. The Sobhnath Temple is believed to the birthplace of the Jain Tirthankar Sambhavnath.
Importance of Sravasti during Buddha’s Time :
During the lifetime of Gautam Buddha, Sravasti was the capital of Kosala Kingdom under the rule of Pasenadi who was one of the disciples of Buddha. According to the Indian Theravadin Buddhist commentator and scholar Buddhaghosa, during the lifetime of Buddha the city of Sravasti was prosperous in the sense that the city was well inhabited by fifty seven thousand families and had eighty thousand villages with the population of 180 million! During his lifetime many monasteries had been built like Jetavana, Pubbarama and Rajakarama which was built by Pasenadi, opposite Jetavana. Near the capital city of Sravasti, there was a dark forest known as ‘Andhavana’ where the monks and nun used to live. There was one more village mentioned which was composed of five hundred fishermen’s families. Thus, the importance of Sravasti can be analyzed from the fact that it was here where Buddha spent the longest amount of time with the largest amount of discourses and instructions leading to the path of Nirvana.
Places of Interest:
Jetavana Monastery : One of the major travel attraction of Sravasti, Jetavana monastery is where Lord Buddha used to stay during his time in Sravasti has 2 pillars on either side built by emperor Ashoka. Jetavana Monastery in present days has two monasteries, six temples and five Stupas.
Swetambara Temple : Sravasti is not only famous as a Buddhist Pilgrimage center but it is a major travel attractions of the Jains. The place was under the influence of Lord Mahavira, the last Jain Tirthankar. Thousand of Jain pilgrimage travel to this place to pay their respect to their Almighty. The Sobhnath Temple is believed to be the birthplace of the Jain Tirthankar Sambhavnath.
Temple No-2 : This temple bears the ruins of the Gandha-Kuti or Perfumed Chamber built by Anathapindika for the use of Lord Buddha. The original Kuti was made at the time of the Chinese pilgrims. Today, the lower walls and stone plinth of the original two storeyed brick building is to be found.
Temple No-3 : This is believed to be the site of the original Kosambi-Kuti. It was built by Anathapitaka and there was also a meditation chamber constructed for the Lord. A long platform marks the original promenade used by the Buddha for the walking meditation in complete silence.
Ananda Bodhi Tree : At the entrance of the Jetavana Garden, the Bodhi Tree was planted at the request of Anasthapitaka as a symbol of worship when Lord Buddha is not in Sravasti. The Bodhi tree is famous for the tree under which the Lord took his enlightenment. This sacred tree was brought as a cutting from the Bodhi tree in Sri Lanka, which itself grew from a sapling of the original Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya.
Other Temples nearby Sravasti :
Besides the Buddhist temples at Sravasti, the place is also surrounded by the other temples like Devi Patan Temple which is 28 Km, Shobhanath Temple an important centre for the Jains, Maheth a testimony to the prosperity of ancient Sravasti spread in the area of about 400 acres, Saheth is Jetavana monastery, spread in an area of 32 acres, 3 ancient buildings of Angulimala’s stupa, Anathapindika’s stupa, and an old temple dedicated to a Jain Tirthankara.
Shopping:
Sravasti is a renowned Buddhist pilgrimage located in Uttar Pradesh. But the little village of Sravasti does not offer much for shopping. Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, is the nearest city from Sravasti. Lucknow offers excellent shopping opportunity.
Climate:
Sravasti situated in the Gangatic plains has relaxed winter but very hot summers. In winters the temperature ranges from 10°C at night and 20°C in the day time. The months of October, November and February,March are comfortable and sunny. The months from April to June are extremely dry and the temperature shoots upto 45°C in the day time. In late June or early July, Monsoon season begins in late June or early July which contain high humidity level.
How to reach :
By Air : The nearest airport is Lucknow which is 151 km away from the place of Sravasti.
By Rail : The nearest rail head is situated at Balrampur railway station, 19 km far from the town.
By Road : The most convenient way to reach Sravasti on roads is through the route of Lucknow.