The Jivakarama vihara, also Jivaka Amravana vihara (''Amra-vana'' means "mango garden"), Jivakamravana, Jivakamrabana or Jivakavanarama, is an ancient Buddhist monastery, or vihara, established at the time of the Buddha."The rubble-built building complex of Jivakamravana at Rajgir probably represents one of the earliest monasteries of India dating from the Buddha's time." in The location, on the outside of Rajagriha in Nalanda district in the Indian state of Bihar, just below the

Gijjhakuta hill The Vulture Peak (Pali: गिज्झकूट, Sanskrit: गृद्धकूट), also known as the Holy Eagle Peak or Gridhakūta (or Gādhrakūta), was the Buddha's favorite retreat in Rajagaha (now Rajgir, or Rajagrih). It was the scene ...

, was originally a

mango A mango is an edible stone fruit produced by the tropical tree ''Mangifera indica''. It is believed to have originated in the region between northwestern Myanmar, Bangladesh, and northeastern India. ''M. indica'' has been cultivated in South a ...

orchard which was donated to the sangha by the famous royal doctor Jivaka, who was in the service of king Bimbisara. Jivaka built a monastery on the location and also donated it to the sangha. The Buddha is said to have been treated once in the monastery, after having been injured by Devadatta. The initial monastery was formed of two long parallel and oblong halls, large dormitories where the monks could eat and sleep, in conformity with the original regulations of the sangha, without any private cells. Other halls were then constructed, mostly long, oblong building as well, which remind of the oblong construction of several of the Barabar caves. The archaeological evidence point to a very early construction for this vihara, probably circa 530-400 BCE. This vihara is very different from the later quadrangular vihara built from the 1st century CE in

Gandhara Gandhāra is the name of an ancient region located in the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent, more precisely in present-day north-west Pakistan and parts of south-east Afghanistan. The region centered around the Peshawar Vall ...

. The absence of

stupa A stupa ( sa, स्तूप, lit=heap, ) is a mound-like or hemispherical structure containing relics (such as ''śarīra'' – typically the remains of Buddhist monks or nuns) that is used as a place of meditation. In Buddhism, circumamb ...

is also noticeable, contrary to the viharas built with stupas at a later date. The construction method (rubble foundation) and artifacts discovered on the spot, such as iron nails, terracotta balls or coarse red pottery all point to a date no later than the 5th century BCE.

Jivakambavana, Rajgir.jpg, Ruins. Jivakambavana.jpg, Ruins. Jivakarama oblong communal hall.jpg, Oblong communal hall (remains). Jivakarama ASI notice.jpg, Archaeological Survey of India notice.

References

{{Commons category, Jivakarama vihara Buddhist sites in Bihar History of Bihar Archaeological sites in Bihar Buddhist monasteries in India Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India Former populated places in India 6th century BC in India 5th century BC in India 6th-century BC religious buildings and structures 5th-century BC religious buildings and structures Tourist attractions in Bihar