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).
Textual References
- Vinaya: Cullavagga (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.