Amrapali

Common card · No. 250207

Āmrapālī, also known as Ambapālika, Ambapali, or Amra, was a celebrated and beautiful nagarvadhu (royal courtesan) of the Republic of Vaishali (located in present-day Bihar) in ancient India, around 500 BC, and later a devout follower of the Buddha who attained arhatship. She also held the title of rajnartaki (court dancer). According to tradition, Āmrapālī was born miraculously at the foot of a mango tree in the royal gardens at Vaishali and was named accordingly, from the Pāli word amba, meaning "mango". Many princes sought her hand, and in order to end the resulting rivalry it was decided that she should become a courtesan. In later life she became a devoted follower of the Buddha. She established a monastery (vihāra) in her own mango grove, known as Ambapali vana, and donated the property to the Buddha's order. The Buddha stayed there shortly before his death. After accepting Āmrapālī's invitation to dine with her, he declined a subsequent invitation from the local princes. The grove...

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