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Grammatical Analysis
Anāthapiṇḍika: [m.] Feeder of the destitute; Supporter of the helpless. Formed by anātha (helpless, destitute, without protection) + piṇḍa (lump of food) + ika (agent suffix). His given name was Sudatta.
Orthodox Definition
Anāthapiṇḍika was the chief male lay disciple (aggaupāsaka) and the greatest material patron of Gotama Buddha. A vastly wealthy merchant from Sāvatthī, he gained his famous nickname because of his boundless daily charity to the poor and orphaned.
Upon hearing the word “Buddha” for the first time, he was overcome with such intense rapture that he visited the Lord in the middle of the night, attained Stream-entry (Sotāpanna) upon hearing a brief discourse, and subsequently dedicated his immense wealth to the dispensation.
His most famous act of devotion was purchasing Prince Jeta’s pleasure grove by covering the entire ground with gold coins, converting it into the Jetavana monastery, where the Buddha spent 19 rainy seasons. The Buddha declared Anāthapiṇḍika the foremost of laymen in giving (dāna).
Quote
Now, at that time, Anāthapiṇḍika the householder had arrived in Rājagaha for some business.
Assosi kho anāthapiṇḍiko gahapati – ‘‘buddho kira loke uppanno’’ti.
Anāthapiṇḍika the householder heard: “Indeed, a Buddha has arisen in the world.”Tāvadeva ca pana bhagavantaṃ dassanāya upasaṅkamitukāmo hoti.
And immediately he wished to go and see the Blessed One.…
The Blessed One saw Anāthapiṇḍika the householder approaching from afar.
Disvāna caṅkamā orohitvā paññatte āsane nisīdi.
Having seen him, he descended from the walking path and sat down on the prepared seat.Nisajja kho bhagavā anāthapiṇḍikaṃ gahapatiṃ etadavoca – ‘‘ehi sudattā’’ti.
Having sat down, the Blessed One said to Anāthapiṇḍika the householder: “Come, Sudatta.”Atha kho anāthapiṇḍiko gahapati, nāmena maṃ bhagavā ālapatīti, haṭṭho udaggo tattheva bhagavato pādesu sirasā nipatitvā bhagavantaṃ etadavoca – ‘‘kacci, bhante, bhagavā sukhamasayitthā’’ti?
Then Anāthapiṇḍika the householder, delighted and overjoyed, thinking, “The Blessed One addresses me by my name,” prostrated himself with his head at the Blessed One’s feet and said to the Blessed One: “I hope, Bhante, the Blessed One slept comfortably?”‘‘Sabbadā ve sukhaṃ seti, brāhmaṇo parinibbuto;
“The brahmin, fully extinguished, always sleeps comfortably;Yo na limpati kāmesu, sītibhūto nirūpadhi.
Who does not cling to sensual pleasures, cooled, without basis for rebirth.‘‘Sabbā āsattiyo chetvā, vineyya hadaye daraṃ;
Having cut all attachments, having dispelled the anguish in the heart;Upasanto sukhaṃ seti, santiṃ pappuyya cetasā’’ti.
Peaceful, he sleeps comfortably, having attained peace in his mind.”— Sudatta Sutta (SN 10.8)
Textual References
- Vinaya: Cūḷavagga (Senāsanakkhandhaka) – The famous origin story of the purchase and construction of the Jetavana monastery.
- Sutta: Anāthapiṇḍikovāda Sutta (MN 143) – The profoundly moving account of Anāthapiṇḍika’s deathbed, where Sāriputta teaches him advanced non-attachment, causing the great patron to weep with gratitude.
- Commentary: Manorathapūraṇī – Detailing his past-life aspirations to become the chief patron.