1. Jetvana Vihara
The Jetavana Monastery Shravasti was one of the most famous of the Buddhist monasteries in India. It was the second monastery donated to Buddha, after the Veluvana in Rajagaha- modern day Rajgir. Jetavana Monastery Shravasti In India is located just outside the old city of Shravasti. Jetavana was the place where Buddha gave many teachings and delivered many of the discourses for the first time more than in any other place. Somehow Lord Buddha was in love with the place and spent 24 monsoons of his life, which is more than in any other monastery. The Jetavana Monastery Shravasti is indeed one of the most holy places in Shravasti.Some of the chief buildings attached to the Jetavana were, Mahagandhakuti, Kaverimandalamala, Kosambakuti and Candanamala. Other buildings like the Ambalakotthaka-asanasala are also mentioned. According to Tibetan sources the Jetavana Monastery Shravasti was built according to a plan sent by the Devas of Tusita and contained sixty large halls and sixty small halls.
The grounds of the monastery were thickly covered with trees, and on the outskirts of the monastery was a mango-grove. In front of the gateway was the Bodhi-tree planted by Anathapindika, from a sapling of the Mahabodhi Tree.
2. Angulimala’s Stupa
The Angulimala’s Stupa Shravasti In Uttar Pradesh In India was excavated along with other ruins of the Shravasti City in 1863. Angulimala’s Stupa Shravasti Uttar Pradesh In India however, lies in utter ruins. A plinth leading to a raised platform accessible by a flight of stairs can be seen. On the platform one can see the remains of the rest of the structure. Walls, and more stairs suggesting the height that the stupa was originally built up to, can be seen. The Angulimala’s Stupa Shravasti lies testimony to the immense influence of Lord Buddha that permeated the Indian society specially in Northern India, in the pre Christian era. With Buddhism came many of the modern ideas that later evolved and proved indispensable in the development of civilization.
Angulimala’s Stupa Shravasti is named after a dacoit, who essentially must have belonged to the dredges of the society. The legend of Angulimala is also reflective of the abolition of caste system that Lord Buddha propagated. And Lord Buddha was the first to do that. In general Buddhism moved away from the vices of Hinduism, keeping the virtues untouched and therefore has had much positive and practical influence on the society; a tangible influence moved out of the scriptures to be turned into reality.
3. Anathpindika House
Anathapindika was one of the wealthiest merchants in Savatthi in the time of Gautama Buddha. His actual name was Sudatta but later he was popularly known as Anathapindika, literally, “One who gives alms to the poor”. He was the chief lay disciple of the Buddha who was foremost in generosity. In ancient India, a wealthy person or millionaire is mostly referred to setthi, therefore Anathapindika is also regarded as Anathapindika-setthi. In Buddhist scriptures, he is also regarded as Maha Anathapindika to distinguish him from Cula Anathapindika, another disciple of the Buddha.In one story mentioned in the Buddhist scripture, Anathapindika also had to experience misfortune. At one time, Anathapindika lost a significant amount of fortune in flood and was reduced to poverty. Despite being poor, Anathapindika continued to support Buddhism. When a deva who appeared before Anathapindika, he suggested him to stop his support to Buddhism since he was no longer wealthy. In reply, Anathapindika explained that the only treasures he knew were the Three Jewels: the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Sangha and he would continue to support Buddhism as long as he has something. Then he forced the deva to leave his house. Later with instruction from the king of the devas In Trayastrimsa, the deva helped to recover the Anathapindika’s position that was lost.
