The Pali word ‘Setthi’ is a common name in Buddhist scriptures and inscriptions. In Pali, it can mean ‘Guild foreman, treasurer, banker, or City man. In English, it can also refer to a wealthy merchant or a millionaire. This is a common meaning of Setthi. Regardless of the meaning, the word carries numerous meanings. Here are some of them.
When the Buddha traveled to Savatthi from the Rajagaha region, his traveling companions were out of money. In an attempt to gain more money, they thought of drugging the wealthy Anathapindika and robbing her in the middle of the road. The wealthy woman always took the same route to the king, so they set up a brandy shop along the road. While the rich Anathapindika declined, the others continued to drink.
The Buddha visited Savatthi several times and was greeted by the King. Anathapindika invited the Buddha for a meal, and the Buddha accepted her offer. Later, Anathapindika arranged for a small brandy shop to serve the king. The wealthy woman had no intention of drinking with them. However, her generosity inspired her to make a large donation to the cause. The next year, the Buddha returned to Savatthi.
The rich Anathapindika is often referred to as Anathapindika-setthi, which translates to’millionaire’ or ‘rich person.’ His name was used to distinguish him from his cousin Cula Anathapindika. During the time he was a disciple of the Buddha, he asked him to build a temple in his hometown, Savatthi. Fortunately, เว็บหวยเศรษฐี was able to grant the request and the wealthy woman went on to build the monastery.
In เว็บหวยเศรษฐี , the word ‘Setthi’ has a similar meaning to the English word ‘Sresthin’. It is the same in Pali and Sanskrit. The king’s name is also related to the word’setthi’. The king was the person who had the most money in the city, so the king was likely to invite Anathapindika to dine. The king’s guests were the first to welcome him.
The king had invited Anathapindika to eat with him, and when they had a meal, Anathapindika became the king’s guest. The Buddha was delighted to receive the royal couple, and he invited the group to stay in his monastery. Then, the king’s visitors were also greeted with a feast. The wealthy couple then decided to spend the rainy season at Savatthi.
The Buddha invited Anathapindika to join him as his apprentice. The pair found a quiet location near Savatthi and built a temple. This is where the Buddha’s enlightened people first came to the city. They then began to give alms to the people, and the Buddha recognized them as the first alms-givers. By giving alms to the poor, these monks sought to make a profit, and they were rewarded with the ensuing prosperity.