Grammatical Analysis
Veḷuvana: [nt.] The Bamboo Grove. Formed by veḷu (bamboo) + vana (forest, grove).
Orthodox Definition
Veḷuvana was the very first piece of land and monastery ever donated to the Buddha and his Saṅgha. Located just outside the city of Rājagaha in the kingdom of Magadha, it was gifted by King Bimbisāra shortly after the Buddha’s enlightenment.
Also known as the Kalandakanivāpa (The Squirrels’ Feeding Ground), it served as the Buddha’s primary residence during the early years of his ministry before the center of gravity shifted to Sāvatthī. The Buddha spent several rains retreats here. It was at Veḷuvana that Venerables Sāriputta and Moggallāna first approached the Buddha and joined the order, and where the Buddha formally appointed them as his two Chief Disciples.
Textual References
- Vinaya: Mahāvagga – The historic moment King Bimbisāra dedicates the park by pouring water over the Buddha’s hands, establishing the legal precedent for accepting monastic lands.
- Sutta: Bālavagga (SN 2) – Numerous suttas where devas visit the Buddha in the deep silence of the Bamboo Grove.