Sudatta, a wealthy merchant, <br />To Rajagriha, once he went. <br />He was a generous person, <br />Taking care of many orphans. <br /> <br />He came from Koshala <br />And heard about Buddha. <br />He went to Veluvana <br />And met personally Buddha. <br /> <br />He was impressed much, <br />With Buddha’s speech. <br />He made a voluntary offer <br />To build a monastery there. <br /> <br />Buddha was too pleased <br />To accept the offer he made. <br />The merchant then went around <br />Looking for a suitable ground. <br /> <br />He saw a beautiful garden <br />Owned by Jeta, the King’s son. <br />It had lush green lawns, <br />Tall trees and water resources. <br /> <br />In all respects, it was <br />The most suitable place, <br />For the monastery proposed. <br />But to sell, the prince refused. <br /> <br />When the merchant pressed, <br />An exorbitant price, Jeta quoted. <br />He wanted that much gold, <br />The garden could hold. <br /> <br />All his assets, the merchant sold <br />To purchase the required gold, <br />But the garden was filled. <br />Only up to half of the land. <br /> <br />The merchant felt upset <br />As his plan failed at last. <br />The prince, in turn, felt <br />For this poor merchant. <br /> <br />At last, the prince agreed <br />And the garden he spared <br />Touched by Buddha’s speech <br />Whom he liked very much. <br /> <br />Soon a monastery was built. <br />With his disciples, Buddha went <br />And occupied the mansion <br />To continue his mission.<br /><br />Rajaram Ramachandran<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/buddha-20-site-for-the-monastery/
