Visakha

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Visakha (Pali: Visākhā; Sanskrit: Viśākhā), also known as Migāramāta, was a wealthy aristocratic woman who lived during the time of the Buddha. She is considered the chief female patron of the Buddha. Visakha founded the vihāra of Migāramātupāsāda (meaning "Migaramata's Palace") in Savatthi, considered one of the two most important temples in the time of the historic Buddha, the other being Jetavana. Visakha was born into a prominent and wealthy family in what was then the kingdom of Magadha. She met the Buddha at the age of seven when he visited her hometown and attained sotāpanna, a stage of enlightenment, after hearing him preach. Visakha and her family later moved to the city of Saketa (now Ayodhya) in Kosala, one of the mahajanapadas of ancient India. Visakha married her husband, Punnavaddhana, when she was sixteen, and then moved to Savatthi to live with his family. She famously converted her father-in-law, a wealthy treasurer named Migāra, to Buddhism, giving her the nickname Migāramāta ('Migāra's mother'). As chief patron, Visakha generously supported the Buddha and his monastic community throughout her life and served as one of his primary aides in dealing with the general public. She is known as the female lay disciple of the Buddha who was foremost in generosity. Visakha was the Buddha's greatest patron and benefactor, along with her male counterpart, Anathapindika.