BUDDHISM - Places Connected with Lord Buddha’s life
Lumbini
The birthplace of the Gautama Buddha, Lumbini, is greatly revered by every Buddhist,
being one of the four holy places of Buddhism, namely the sites of his birth,
enlightenment, first discourse, and death. Situated in the foothills of the
Himalayas in modern Nepal, Lumbini in Buddha's time, was a beautiful garden
full of green and shady sal trees (Shorea). King Suddhodana, father of Gautama
Buddha was of the Shakya dynasty belonging to the Kshatriya or the warrior caste.
Maya Devi, his mother, gave birth to the child on her way to her parent's home
in Devadaha while taking rest in Lumbini under a sal tree in the month of May
in the year 563 B.C. It is said that Maya Devi was spellbound by the natural
beauty of Lumbini and while she was standing, she felt labor pains and catching
hold of a drooping branch of a Sal tree, the baby, the future Buddha, was born.
A stone marks the exact spot, where Lord Buddha was born.
On the south of the Maya Devi temple there is the famous sacred bathing pool
known as Puskarni. It is believed that Maya Devi took a bath in this pool
before the delivery. A visit to Lumbini, the birth-place of Buddha, is not
only for spiritual enlightenment but also for solace and satisfaction that
one gets in such a calm and peaceful place.
Bodhgaya
It is considered the most important Buddhist pilgrimage center. This is the
place where Lord Sakyamuni Gautam Buddha entered into meditation after being
moved by the sufferings of mankind. The giant Bodhi Tree, which we see today
is believed to have grown from the original Bodhi Tree under which, sitting
on a raised platform, Prince Siddharth meditated and finally attained Nirvana/enlightenment.
Then there is Chaukramana, the Jewel Walk, where it is believed that the Buddha
strolled while in deep thought.
Buddha strolled while in deep thought. The magnificent Maha Bodhi Temple
in Bodhgaya is an architectural amalgamation of many cultures. The temple
has a colossal statue of Buddha, which is seen touching the ground. The temple
carries inscriptions recording the visits of pilgrims from Sri Lanka, China
and Myanmar in the 7th and 10th centuries A.D.
Varanasi
The city of many names Varanasi, Benaras, Kashi is one of the most ancient
living cities known to mankind. This city attracts Hindu pilgrims like a beacon
of light, as Kashi, the city of light. The holy river Ganges flows through
this city, bathing in which is said to cleanse ones sins. It is said that
this city rests atop the trident of Lord Shiva and is his favourite city.
Living with the questions of birth and death, Varanasi never bothered to record
its history. The origins of this city are lost in the mists of time. It has
attracted ascetics, sadhus, tantriks, great spiritual masters and commoners
alike. Famous are the ghats, temples, especially the Golden Temple or the
Vishwanath Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, the original of which was destroyed
by the Muslims, the cremation grounds, etc. The city is always alive, churning
in the labyrinth of narrow lanes, with ascetics and commoners waking up before
sunrise to bathe in the Ganges and pray to sun, the giver of life. Lord Buddha
after attaining enlightenment, walked from Bodhgaya in search of his five
ascetic companions, who had left him as they felt that self-mortification
was the way to attain enlightenment and Gautama Buddha thought otherwise.
He found them in Varanasi and after gave them his first sermon and they became
his first disciples.
Sarnath
Situated about 10 kms from the holy city of Varanasi, Sarnath is the blessed
place, where more than 2500 years ago Lord Buddha chose to deliver his first
sermon, after he attained enlightenment. Lord Buddha gave his first sermon
to his five disciples, who formed the first Sangha. Hence every Buddhist endeavours
to be blessed with a visit to Sarnath in his lifetime. A mammoth conical structure,
which is 34 meters in height and called Dhamekh Stupa signifies the "seat
of the holy Buddha," as he proclaimed his faith. Sarnath also has the
ancient ruins of Dharmajajika Stupa and Mulgandhakuti Temple. It is said that
Lord Buddha rested and meditated here, while in Sarnath. Monasteries belonging
to various countries are situated here. The quiet & serene atmosphere
is most soothing and peace giving to every meditator.
Rajgir
Rajgir is the corrupt version of the word "Raj Griha" meaning the
Royal Palace. Rajgir is a place of great significance and sanctity for the
Buddhists. The Giridhrakoot Hill or the Vulture"s Peak was the seat,
from where Lord Buddha delivered many of his sermons. It was here that the
teachings of Lord Buddha were recorded in writing, for the first time. An
aerial ropeway takes the pilgrims up the hill where the Japanese have built
the beautiful Shanti Stupa. A short walk away is the Saptaparni Cave, where
Buddha meditated. At the base of the hill is Venuvan Vihara or the Bamboo
Forest Garden, which was gifted by king Bimbisara to Buddha and where Lord
Buddha resided for quite a while. Nearby is situated the Jivaka’s Mango
Grove, who was an ardent follower of Lord Buddha and was a surgeon by profession
and there is situated Karanda Tank, the bathing site of Lord Buddha. There
are many other ancient buildings and sites, which date back to the 6th century
B.C. The hot springs called Saptdhara are supposed to have great healing powers.
Kushinagar
It was in Kushinagar, that Lord Buddha breathed his last with the last words,
"Behold now, brethren, I exhort you, saying, decay is inherent in all
component things ! Work for your salvation with diligence." The Mahaparnirvana
Temple dedicated to the aforesaid event, stands amidst a serene grove of Sal
trees. The huge statue of the reclining Buddha, excavated in 1876 at the temple,
is one of the most momentous of all sights for the devout. Rambhar Stupa is
the spot, where Lord Buddha was cremated and his relics divided into eight
equal parts. Another interesting place is the Mata Kunwar Shrine contains
a 10th century blue schist image of Lord Buddha. Apart from these, there is
the Chinese Temple, Tibetan Temple and the Indo-Japan-Sri Lankan Buddhist
Centre, all of which hold significant religious value for the pilgrim.
Vaishali
Vaishali is believed to be the first republic of the world, having an elected
body of representatives, holds great significance for Buddhist devotees. Here
Lord Buddha delivered his last sermon, hinting at his impending departure
from the mortal world. It is said that it was in Vaishali that monkeys brought
honey for Lord Buddha as a gift and dug a pond for him to take bath in. Vaishali
was also the centre of the IInd Buddhist Council congregation, held after
100 years of Buddha’s demise to discuss the 10 points of Vinaya, the
rule of conduct under dispute. Amrapali, the beautiful dancer and courtesan
of the republic of Vaishali became an ardent devotee of Lord Buddha and gifted
him a mango orchard. Finally she became a nun and gave up the material allurements.
The excavations done here, have revealed the archeological remains of an ancient
parliament house, which indicates that this republic flourished in the 6th
century B.C.
Sravasti
During the Buddha’s lifetime Sravasti was the biggest town in the Gangetic
plains and played host to Lord Buddha for 25 years as his annual rainy season
retreat. During Buddha’s lifetime, here lived a rich and pious merchant
by the name of Sudatta, who was his disciple. Sudatta invited the Lord to Sravasti
and began selecting a suitable place to build a vihara (retreat) for the Lord
and his followers. He selected a beautiful park, which belonged to Jeta, the
prince of Sravasti. Jeta demanded that Sudatta cover the entire park with gold
coins, which Sudatta did. Jeta then said, that since the trees were left uncovered,
they belonged to him. But finally, Jeta had a change of heart and so Sudatta
built a magnificent seven storied Vihara in the garden, which was named after
Jeta and called Jetavana. Lord graced this place by living there. Today ruins
of the viharas remain in the serene atmosphere of Jetavana, which exude an aura
of sacredness. It was in Sravasti, where Lord Buddha performed the only miracle
of his life, when challenged by six non-believers. Lord Buddha levitated on
a thousand petalled lotus and multiplied his person innumerable times. Sravasti
is a very special and sacred place for all Buddhists.
Nalanda
Lord Buddha came to Nalanda often and stayed in his disciple’s mango grove.
Later, it was in Nalanda that the most famous of all universities in ancient
India was established in the 5th century AD. It was a monastic university, where
thousands of teachers and students used to live and study. Admissions were so
difficult that only two out of ten eminent scholars were admitted. Philosophical
debates, mathematics, medicine, etc were taught here and great Indian scholars
like Nagarjuna, Asanga, Aryadeva passed from the corridors of this great university.
Even the great tantrik Guru Padmasambhava, who took Buddhism to Tibet, was a
scholar in Nalanda. Students from all over the known world came here to study.
Emissaries from many countries came with rich presents and generous donations.
This great centre of learning was brutally destroyed by the Muslim invader Bakhtiyar
Khalji. Even the ruins of Nalanda evoke awe and admiration, which today is a
world heritage monument.
Other Dimensions
Tabo Monastery
Located at a height of 3050 meters, is the monastery complex of Tabo, which
was founded in 996 AD by the great scholar Guru Ratnabhadra or Rinchen Sangpo,
as an institute for advanced learning. Tabo celebrated its 1000th anniversary
in 1996. Set in the mountains of Himachal Pradesh, Tabo is built with mud bricks
and holds 9 temples. It houses a community of sixty monks. On the sheer cliff-face
above the monastery are a series of caves, which were used as dwelling units
by the monks and include an assembly hall. Some rare tangkhas and clay statues
of Buddha are treasured here.
Ladakh
Known as "The Little Tibet" / "Hermit Kingdom," Leh is
situated at an altitude 3500 meters, amidst snow covered Himalayas, was on
the caravan route from Tibet to central Asia and beyond. This is a land of
snow carved peaks, translucent lakes, barren terrain and mystic culture. Perilously
perched atop precipices and peaks, are about 13 major Gompas (monasteries)
which remain the repositories of Buddhist mysticism. Hemis is the largest
of all gompas, which was founded in the 17th century. It has an excellent
library of ancient manuscripts and houses the largest tangkha in India. The
monastery of Alchi is known as the jewel among all monasteries. It is a treasure
house of 11th and 12th century Buddhist artifacts, paintings and murals, which
remind one, of the paintings in far off Ajanta Caves. Other monasteries of
repute are Likhir, Stok, Shey, Thiksey and Spituk. Treks to Nubra Valley,
Lake Pangong Tso and Zanskar where one can visit Phuktal Gompa, which is like
a honeycomb cut into a rock, under a gigantic grotto. Phuktal gompa has 70
monks, who live in the caves above the monastery, where inside the caves is
a water hole, whose water level never recedes. There is a stone tablet left
by Alexander Cosma de Koros, a Hungarian, who explored Tibet and lived in
this monastery in 1826-27. The spring that gurgles deep in the cave is still
out of bounds to women. One gets transported to some bygone era, when in Ladakh.
Visiting the Ladakh during monastery festivals is really a treat for all.
Dharamsala
With a magnificent view of the Dhauladhar range of the Himalayas, Dharamsala
is the seat of His Holiness the XIVth Dalai Lama and the headquarters of the
Tibetan government in exile. This small town has a large Tibetan refugee settlement
and one can see monks in their robes and old Tibetans walking with rosaries
in their hands or turning the prayer wheels. The main is the Namgyal monastery
or the Dalai Lama’s temple. Gangchen Kyishong houses the offices of the
Tibetan government in exile. Monastery of Nechung Oracle is where the official
oracle of the Dalai Lama sits and one can visit the monastery and witness
the daily services. Tse-Chok-Ling monastery is nestled in a quiet spot and
one can visit and take part in the prayer services. Men-Tse-Khang is the center
for Tibetan Medicine. Near Dharamsala is a place called Rewalsar, where one
can visit the cave temple to the great Indian Tantrik Guru Padmasambhava,
who had stopped at this place, while on his way to Tibet, to spread Buddhism.
The beautiful monastery of Norbulingka, is where Tibetan culture is kept alive
in the form of art, paintings, handicrafts and tangkhas
Ajanta and Ellora Caves
Renowned worldwide for its famed paintings and sculptures, Ajanta Caves situated
in the forest ravines of Sahyandri Hills, were hewn out of volcanic rocks
and were brilliantly worked upon by master craftsmen under monastic and royal
patronage. Dating back to 200 BC and continuing for 900 years, a total of
twenty six caves were chipped out of the volcanic rocks and four others remained
incomplete. The Jataka tales, depicting the life of Lord Buddha are the main
theme of the works, along with scenes from the contemporary court life, which
are absolutely magnificent. The union between the sacred and secular forms
of art is brilliantly depicted. Ellora Caves are located a short driving distance
from Ajanta Caves. Carrying on the great legacy of Ajanta, Ellora Caves date
from the 7th century AD onwards. One can see Buddhist, Hindu and Jain influences
in the art forms at Ellora. The sculptures at Ellora are massive in size but
have the same finesse as witnessed in Ajanta. The famous rock cut Hindu temple
of Kailasanath, dedicated to Lord Shiva is in Ellora. These caves are truly
a tribute to the rich heritage and culture of ancient India.
Monasteries of Sikkim
Situated in the Eastern Himalayas, Sikkim shares its borders with Tibet, Bhutan
and Nepal. Sikkim is known for its gompas (monasteries) and their fascinating
ceremonies. Gangtok is the capital of Sikkim, where the Research Institute of
Tibetology is situated, which is a centre for the study of Buddhist philosophy
& religion. It has a rare collection of priceless manuscripts, books and
thangkas. The beautiful Rumtek monastery is the seat of the XVIth Gyawla Karmapa,
the head of the Karma Kagyu Order of Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery of Enchay
was built 200 years ago and was blessed by the great tantric master Lama Druptab
Karpa. About a days trip from Gangtok, is the monastery of Pemayangtse. Situated
at a height of 2085 meters, it presents a panoramic view of the great Himalayas.
As per a legend, the great Indian tantric saint Guru Padmasambhava or Guru Rinpoche,
while searching for a place to meditate, shot an arrow in the air. The place
where the arrow landed is where the Pemanyangtse monastery stands. One can stay
at a monastery here and learn how to meditate.
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