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Maddakucchi

A park near Rājagaha, at the foot of Gijjhakūṭa. It was a nature reserve (migadāya) where deer and game could dwell in safety. When Devadatta, wishing to kill the Buddha, hurled a rock down Gijjhakūṭa, it was stopped midway by another rock, but a splinter from it fell on the Buddha’s foot, wounding it severely. As the Buddha suffered much from loss of blood, the monks took him on a litter to Maddakucchi, and from there to the Jīvaka-ambavana, where he was treated by Jīvaka (Vin.ii.193 f; DhA.ii.164 ff; J.iv.430; Mil.179). It is said (S.i.27 f) that seven hundred devas of the Satullapa group visited the Buddha there and told him of their great admiration for his qualities. Māra tried to stir up discontent in the Buddha, but had to retire discomfited (S.i.110; this visit of Māra is referred to at D.ii.116).

According to the Commentaries (e.g., S.A.i.61; cp. J.iii.121 f), Maddakucchi was so called because it was there that Bimbisāra’s queen, mother of Ajātasattu, tried to bring about an abortion when she was told by soothsayers that the child in her womb was destined to bring about Bimbisāra’s death. She went into the park unknown to the king and violently massaged her womb, but without success. The king heard of this and forbade her to visit the park.

Once when Mahā-Kappina was at Maddakucchi, doubts arose in his mind as to the necessity of joining the assembly of monks for the holding of uposatha, he himself being pure. The Buddha read his thoughts, appeared before him, and urged upon him the necessity of so doing (Vin.i.105).

Maddakucchi was difficult of access for monks, who came from afar late at night, wishing to put Dabba-Mallaputta’s powers to the test, would often ask him to provide lodging there for them. Vin.ii.76; iii.159.