Page last updated on 8 October, 2020
Sārandada
Sārandada-cetiya.– A shrine of pre-Buddhistic worship at Vesāli. It was dedicated to the yakkha Sārandada, but, later, a vihāra was erected on the site for the Buddha and his Order. D.ii.75, 102; Ud.vi.1; DA.ii.521; UdA.323; AA.ii.701.
1. Sārandada Sutta.– Once, five hundred Licchavī met at the Sārandada-cetiya and their discussion turned on the five treasures in the world: elephant, horse, jewel, woman, householder. Unable to decide on these matters, they stationed a man at the road to watch for the approach of the Buddha, who was then living in the Mahāvana in Vesāli. On being invited to the Sārandada Cetiya, the Buddha went to them, and, having heard of their discussion, told them of five treasures much more rare in the world: the Tathāgata, his Dhamma, a person able to recognise the Dhamma in the world, one who follows it, and one who is grateful. A.iii.167 f.
2. Sārandada Sutta.– Once, a number of Licchavī visited the Buddha at the Sārandada-cetiya, and he told them of seven things that would ensure their welfare and prevent them from falling: frequent assemblies, concord, honouring of tradition and convention, respect for elders, courtesy towards women, homage paid to places of worship, and protection of holy men in their midst. A.iv.16 f; cf. D.ii.72 ff.
This sutta is often referred to in the books, and the virtues mentioned are famous as the seven factors for non-decline (satta aparihāniyā dhammā). The sutta was also probably called the Vajjī Sutta. See, e.g., DA.ii.524.