A village near Vesáli, where the Buddha spent his last vassa. This was ten months before his death (SA.iii.198). According to the Commentaries (e.g., UdA.322; SA.iii.172) the Buddha did not go straight from Beluva to Vesáli, but turned back to Sávatthi. He fell grievously ill during this period, but, by a great effort of will, overcame his sickness. During this sickness Sákka ministered to the Buddha, waiting on him and carrying on his head the Buddha's stools when he suffered from acute dysentery (DhA.iii.269 f.).

It was at this time that the Buddha, in answer to a question by Ananda, said that he had kept nothing back from his disciples and had no special instructions for the Order to follow after his death. Each disciple must work out his own salvation. D.ii.98 ff.; S.v.151ff.

Ananda is also mentioned as having stayed at Beluva after the Buddha's death. The householder Dasama of Atthakanagara sought him there, amid their conversation is recorded in the Atthakanagara Sutta (M.i.349ff.; A.v.342ff).

Beluva was a small village, and when the Buddha was there the monks stayed in Vesáli. Beluva was just outside the gates of Vesáli (SA.iii.165) and was to the south of this city (MA.ii.571).

The Theragáthá (vs.919) states that Anuruddha died at Veluvagáma in the Vajjí country. This probably refers to Beluvagáma, in which case Veluva is a varia lectio.


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