295. To give to monks a dwelling-place, Wherein in safety and in peace To think till mysteries grow clear, The Buddha calls a worthy deed.
296. Let therefore a wise man, Regarding his own weal, Have pleasant monasteries built. And lodge there learned men.
297. Let him with cheerful mien Give food to them, and drink. And clothes, and dwelling-places To the upright in mind.
298. Then they shall preach to him the Truth, — The Truth, dispelling every grief, — Which Truth, when here a man receives, He sins no more, and dies away!
Anātha Piṇḍika began the dedication festival from the second day. The festival held at the dedication of Visākhā's building ended in four months, but Anātha Piṇḍika's dedication festival lasted nine months. At the festival, too, eighteen koṭis were spent; so on that one monastery he spent wealth amounting to fifty-four koṭis.
Long ago, too, in the time of the Blessed Buddha Vipassin, a merchant named Punabbasu Mitta bought that very spot by laying golden bricks over it, and built a monastery there a league in length. And in the time of the Blessed Buddha Sikhin, a merchant named Sirivaḍḍha bought that very spot by standing golden ploughshares over it, and built there a monastery three-quarters of a league in length. And in the time of the Blessed Buddha Vessabhū, a merchant named Sotthiya bought that very spot by laying golden elephant feet along it, and built a monastery there half a league in length. And in the
