A sanctuary gifted to the Buddha.

Anathapindika (A-natta-pin-dika) was the foremost of the Buddha's lay male disciples. He was praised for his generosity and humility, but also for the sharpness of his intellect. His faith and devotion to the Buddha and his teachings were unshakeable.

It was Anathapindika who offered the Buddha the sanctuary outside Shravasti known as Jetavana. Jetavana, or Jeta Park, was a beautiful forest grove located in the hills outside the city of Shravasti. It was quiet and secluded, yet easy to get to from the city for people to attend to the Buddha's teachings and for the monks to go for alms each morning. The park itself was beautiful, with groves of trees,  a large lotus pond, and a vihara. The vihara was a simple structure with a central hall, dwelling places and walkways.

Anathapindika gave birth to the vision for offering the Buddha this sanctuary upon their very first meeting. Anathapindika was a successful businessman who had been visiting his brother-in-law during a business trip to Rajgir, about 350 miles east of Shravasti. Rajgir was the capital of the Magadha kingdom ruled by King Bimbasara. Anathapindika had been there many times on business and always stayed with his brother-in-law who was also a successful businessman. On this occasion Anathapindika arrived to find his brother-in-law quite preoccupied with the arrival of the Buddha the next day. Anathapindika found himself inspired by his brother's description of the Buddha and decided to stay for his arrival.

The next morning he awoke early and set out to Veluvana, the Bamboo Grove, where the Buddha was going to be that day. The sunlight was just starting to illuminate the eastern sky, a light fog still hung in the trees. Birds were singing, proclaiming the arrival of the day. In the distance, Anathapindika saw a lone figure silently walking, his gaze steady, his every step intentional, consummate. Anathapindika hesitated, not wanting to disturb the monk.

"Come, Sudatta."

Anathapindika was startled by this address, for no one knew his birth name and surely he had never met this monk before. Anathapindika knew he must be in the presence of the Buddha, so he prostrated himself before the Buddha and approached. "Thank you, blessed one, Bhagavan. How are you?"

"Thank you, kind sir. I am well. Well, indeed, for I have gone beyond all that gives rise to suffering and discontentment." Anathapindika, of sharp intellect, quickly picked up what the Buddha was saying, that there are things in this world that lead us to pain and dissatisfaction, and that we can go beyond those very things. The Buddha, seeing his interest and natural wisdom, continued to teach him. He spoke to him of generosity and virtue, of the illusoriness of sensual pleasures and the benefits of letting go of reactivity. When the Buddha saw that Anathapindaka was attentive and serene, he taught him the Four Noble Truths. Anathapindika understood all of these teachings, and without any hesitation or doubt became a stream-enterer. His Dharma eye opened, he invited the Buddha for a meal at his brother-in-laws the very next day.

The next day, after offering the meal to the Buddha, he requested that the Buddha visit Shravasti and that he would like to offer him a sanctuary there. The Buddha answered, "The Buddha enjoys peaceful places." Anathapindika was elated at the Buddha's consent.

It is in this way that Anathapindika became a devout student of the Buddha, searching out and finding the beautiful gardens of Jeta Park, and going on to support and sponsor many teachings in that place. For the rest of his life Anathapindika continued to support and provide a safe sanctuary for the Buddha's disciples to engage in their practice free from distraction.