ambātakavana
Ambātakavana:A grove at Macchikāsanda,belonging toCittagahapati. Being pleased with the ElderMahānāma of Macchikāsanda,Citta invited him to a meal,and after listening to his discourse,gave the grove to the Order. At the dedication of the gift the earth trembled. Later he built a splendid monastery there,the Ambātakārāma,for the use of monks from all parts (AA.i.209; DhA.ii.74). It became the residence of large numbers of monks,and discussions often took place there between Cittagahapati and the resident Bhikkhus (S.iv.281-97).
Among eminent Elders who visited the place were
Isidatta of Avanti (who answered Citta’s questions regarding the reason for the existence of various views in the world) (S.iv.283-8), Mahaka (who,by his magic powers,produced rain and thunderstorms and later showed a special miracle to Citta) (S.iv.288-91), Kāmabhū (who discoursed to Citta on various topics) (S.iv.291-5),and Godatta (S.iv.295-7). The Elder Lakuntaka Bhaddiya also lived there,in solitude,wrapt in meditation (Thag.v.466).Behind Ambataka was Migapathaka,which was Citta’s tributary village (SA.iii.93) (v.l. Ambālavana).