Shravasti (श्रावस्ती )

Aanandabodhi tree 

Shravasti is a city of ancient India. It was one of the 6th largest cities in India during Gautam Buddha's lifetime.The city is located in Gonda district & is 120km north of Lucknow.
According to Mahabharata, the origin of Shravasti lies with the legendary king Shravasta of solar race who founded the city. In the 6th century BCE, during the reign of Prasenajit, the city rose to fame due to its association with Gautam Buddha & Mahavira. During Buddha's time it was the capital city of the kingdom of Kosala & its king was the disciple of Buddha. It was a beautiful city with vast amounts of agriculture & diversity. Buddha passed the greater part of his monastic life in Shravasti. Buddha's disciple Sudatta Anathapindika built a monastery for him at Jetavana.Conversion of a robber Angulimala, to the Buddha's path is the another local episode of this period. 

                                                                  Small stupas
Shravasti was not only the capital of a powerful kingdom, but also a hotbed of philosophical inquiry, where many schools of thought had already established themselves before Buddha. Mahavira the 24th Jain Tirthankara had a great following here. Shravasti is believed to be a birthplace of two more Tirthankara's - Sambhavanath & Chandra Prabha.  
Of the four Nikayas, 871 suttas are said to have been preached in Shravasti, 844 of which are in Jetavana. The commentaries state that Buddha spent 25 rainy seasons in Shravasti. Of the 25 rainy seasons, he spent in the monastery named Jetavana. It is the place where he gave the largest amount of discourses & instructions.

                                                                Twin miracle
King Ashoka visited Shravasti & erected two pillars on the eastern gate of Jetavana & built a Stupa in the vicinity.
Within these, the remains of three ancient buildings can be visited. Angulimala's stupa, Anathapindika's stupa,  & an old temple dedicated to Jain Tirthankara. The site of Jetavana monastery is the main pilgrim destination. Meditation & chanting is mainly done at the Gandhakuti ( Buddha's hut ). 
During the time of Kushans, Buddhism gained from royal patronage.The ruins of Shravasti were uncovered by Sir Alexander Cunningham in 1863.


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