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A park near Rājagaha, at the foot of
Gijjhakūta. It was a preserve (migadāya)
where deer and game could dwell in safety. When
Devadatta, wishing to kill the Buddha, hurled a rock down Gijjhakūta, 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
Jivaka (Vin.ii.193f.; DhA.ii.164ff.; J. iv.430;
Mil.179). It is said (S.i.27f) 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.121f), 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 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.

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