LUMBINI:
One of the most important place of Buddhist pilgrimage is Lumbini, located
near the Nepal-India border. This is where Gautam Buddha was born to a royal family
in 556 B.C.E. Many auspicious signs accompanied the Buddha's birth, including
the sprouting of the bodhi tree. The great Buddhist ruler Ashoka visited the site
two centuries later, constructing a stupa (mound, usually of earth) and pillar
in recognition. Although largely destroyed now, these remain important marks of
the Buddha's birthplace.
BODHGAYA: The Buddha attained enlightenment
at the age of 29 in the town of Bodhgaya in India. After settling under a tree,
the Buddha made the resolve not to move until he had achieved enlightenment. After
three days and nights of profound meditation this goal was realised. The bodhi
tree under which the Buddha sat has been destroyed both intentionally and naturally
many times since this time of enlightenment. It has continued to re sprout and
is visible today.
The Mahabodhi Temple marks Bodhgaya. The origins of
the Temple are unclear. Some claim the Temple could have been built as early as
the third century by Ashoka, others claim the Temple was built between the fifth
and seventh centuries. A thriving Monastic Order continues in the area today,
with three monasteries catering for locals and foreigners alike.
SARNATH:
At Sarnath in the Ganges Valley of India, the Buddha proclaimed the law of
faith. It was here that he taught the keys aspects of Buddhism: the four noble
truths, the eightfold path and the middle way philosophy. The Buddha encouraged
followers to avoid extremes of austerity or pleasure. The remains of monasteries
dating from the third century B.C.E. to the first century C.E. indicate a thriving
monastic community.
SHRAVASTI: Another of the most commonly visited
places of Buddhist pilgrimage is Shravasti. It is here that the Buddha is said
to have performed great miracles. One story tells of how on throwing down the
seed of a mango, a great mango tree instantly arose. Another story tells of how
the Buddha stood in the air, the lower part of his body engulfed in flames, with
five hundred jets of water streaming from the top of his body.
SANKASHAYA:
In Sankashaya the Buddha descended from the Tushita Heaven. It is said that
during the forty-first year of the Buddha's life, he went to the Tushita Heaven
to teach Dharma to his mother, who had died shortly after the Buddha's death.
Ashoka later built a Temple on the site. Today, little of the site's glory remains.
This is the only important place of Buddhist pilgrimage where no temples, or monasteries
exist today.
NALANDA: Nalanda is important both because it was
blessed with the presence of the Buddha, and because of the famous monastic university
developed there. This university also named Nalanda (meaning 'insatiable in giving')
played a central role in the development of Buddhism in India.
RAJGIR:
Rajgir is another place in the Ganges Valley where the Buddha walked and preached.
Perhaps the most important event of the Buddha's visits to Rajgir was the conversion
of two future disciples, Sariputra and Maudgalyayana. While Sariputra was credited
with greater intelligence, Maudgalyayana wielded a greater power for miracles.
OTHER PLACES: Other commemorative monuments to the spread in Buddhism
in India include Sanchi, Bharhut, Amaravati, and Nagarjunakonda where great Buddhist
stupas and Buddhist university sites remain. India also boosts the famous Buddhist
Cave Temples, Ajanta, Ellora, Kanheri and Karli located in western India.
The
places of birth and enlightenment are perhaps the two most important sites of
pilgrimage for Buddhists in the world today. These are accompanied by a number
of other sites marking the spread of Buddhism throughout the Indian sub-continent.
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Offers : Buddhist Destinations in India, Indian Buddhist Destinations, Travel
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