Buddha Purnima special: Four must visit Buddhist sites.
Buddha Purnima
India is the birthplace of Buddhism and boasts of several monuments associated with the religion. From the rock-cut cave temples at Barabar, Ajanta, Kanheri and Pitalkhora, to stupas of Sanchi and Sarnath, to Tibetan Buddhist monasteries like Rumtek, Key, Tawang and Hemis –Buddhist monuments are spread across the length and breadth of India.
Buddha before his death had declared four places as fit to be pilgrimages. On Buddha Purnima 2013, we list four of the most important pilgrimage sites associated with Gautama Buddha’s life.
Kapilavastu
Siddharth Gautam’s father ruled Kapilavastu and the place where he spent 29 years of his life. Gautam was the family name of the enlightened one. According to legend, Siddharth’s mother Queen Maha Maya conceived him here. Her dream of a white elephant with six white tusks entering her; portended the greats the yet-to-be-born child was to achieve.
Kapilavastu and Lumbini are often associated the birth place of Buddha. It is believed the queen left for her father’s kingdom to give birth; however, she delivered before reaching her father’s palace at Lumbini.
Two years after his awakening, the enlightened one returned to his birth place not to reclaim his kingdom but to teach the Path of the Middle Way to his father and foster mother.
Excavations have revealed a stupa which has revealed relics including bones of Lord Buddha. All that remains now are ruins of a monastery and palaces.
Kapilavastu relics (bone fragments considered sacred by Buddhists) were discovered in 1898. Best time to visit Kapilavastu is between
Bodh Gaya
After years of wandering and with no signs of enlightenment, Gautama sat under a pipal tree and vowed never to arise until he had found the truth. After 49 days of meditation, at the age of 35, Siddharth attained enlightenment. And the pipal tree under which he sat is known as the Bodhi tree.
Post enlightenment, Buddha expounded the Four Noble Truths and other tenets of Buddhism.
A World Heritage Site, shrines dedicated to Buddha have been built by various countries like China, Japan, Bangladesh and Vietnam. Bodh Gaya Buddha statue has now become a symbol of the town.
Bodhi Tree leaves are popular mementoes and considered sacred. Best time to visit Bodh Gaya is between October to March.
Sarnath
Buddha set in motion the Wheel of Dharma by delivering his first sermon at Sarnath deer park. His first disciples were his five companions with whom he had sought enlightenment. That was the first Sangha, or the monastic order of Buddhist monks.
Among the places of interest in Sarnath include, the Dhamek Stupa, the Dharmarajika Stupa and the Ashoka Pillar.
Best time to visit Sarnath is between October to March.
Kushinagar
Kushinagar is the place where the Buddha attained nirvana. According to legend, Buddha’s decision to enter Parinirvana in the abandoned jungles of Kuśinagar or as it was known during his time, Kusinara, was opposed by Ananda, one of his prominent disciples. The Buddha, however, reminded Ananda how Kushinagar was once ruled by a righteous king.
Kushinagar has other reasons for fame too. It is believed to be the city founded by Kusha, son of Lord Ram. However, Kushinagar vanished from the collective memory for a long time until its discovery by the British in the 19th century.
It’s the site where Buddha took his last bath in the Hiranyavati River, took his last meal from Chunda the goldsmith and died. The Buddha was cremated on the banks of the river and his relics distributed among the disciples.END=NAM MO SAKYAMUNI BUDDHA.( 3 TIMES ).WORLD VIETNAMESE BUDDHIST ORDER=VIETNAMESE BUDDHIST NUN=GOLDEN LOTUS MONASTERY=AUSTRALIA,SYDNEY.25/10/2013.THICH CHAN TANH.THE MIND OF ENLIGHTMENT.
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