Buddhist Sites of India
From Siddarth to Shakyamuni and finally the Buddha or the Enlightened one - an incredible transformation of a prince to an enlightened teacher, who walked the earth more than 2500 years ago. Upon seeing the misery, sorrow, pain, and death, in the prime of his youth, princes. Siddarth decided to discover their causes and means of overcoming their occurrence .Thus renouncing worldly pleasures and leaving home and family behind , he traveled from places to places until finally attaining enlightenment by fixed meditation under the Bodhi tree. He then preached the truth he discovered, and exhorted his disciples to follow the eight fold path for the cessation of the endless cycle of birth and rebirth. This is an endeavor to lay open before the viewer, the life and teaching of the Buddha and the influence of the Buddhism all across India and beyond its frontiers.
Several major sites and schools of Buddhist learning have been highlighted for the ardent Buddhist's academic interest Sites
Kapilvastu
The capital city of the Sakya clan, and one of the earliest republics, it was in Kapilavastu's opulent environs, that the holy soul of prince Siddarth (Gautam Buddha) spent his childhood.
Bodhgaya
Reckoned as the most important Buddhist pilgrimage center, is the place where Lord Sakyamuni (Gautam Buddha) entered into meditation after being moved by the sufferings of mankind.
SarnathThe blessed locale where more than 2,500 years ago Buddha chose to deliver his first sermon, after attaining Nirvana. The five disciples who had followed him were surprised to see the mesmerizing glowing countenance of Buddha, who convinced them and delivered his first sermon before them, now termed Dharamachakra Pravartan.
KaushambiWas visited by Buddha in the 6th and 9th years after his enlightenment. He delivered several sermons here, elevating it to a center of learning for Buddhists. Today one can see the ruins of an Ashokan Pillar, an old fort and the Ghositaram Monastery.
KushinagarIt was here that the Tathagata, the reciter of truth, breathed his last with the last words, "behold now, brethren, I exhort you, saying , decay is inherent in all component things ! Work out your salvation with diligence !". A temple dedicated to the event - the Mahaparinirvana temple today stands amidst a serene 'sal' grove ...... as if still reminiscing the great demise.
Ajanta CavesThe Ajanta caves consist of 30 Caves including the unfinished ones, dating back from 200 BC to 250 AD. These caves are situated 104 kms from Aurangabad and 52 kms from Jalgaon Railway Station. The caves are cut from the volcanic lava of the Deccan in the forest ravines of the Sahyadri Hills and are set in beautiful sylvan surroundings.
SravastiThe capital of the ancient kingdom of Kosala, has the honor for sheltering Buddha for 24 rainy seasons in the Jetvana Gardens.
VaishaliVaishali, believed to be the first republic of the world, having an elected body of representatives, holds special significance for Buddhist devotees. At Kolhua, Lord Buddha delivered his last sermon, hinting at his impending departure from the mortal world. Later, Emperor Ashoka erected a huge pillar to commemorate the spot of the last sermon.
SankisaIt is believed to be the place where Buddha, along with Bramha and Devraj Indra descended after giving sermons to his mother in heaven.
SanchiSanchi is a serene hill crowned by a group of stupas, monasteries, temples and pillars dating from 3rd century BC to 12th century AD. The glory that was Sanchi, an ancient place of pilgrimage, can still be experienced in its complex structures where many Buddhist legends found expression in the rich sculpture.
OrissaThe recent findings from excavations and the identifications of a number of sites with Buddhist remains open up a new vista in the field of Buddhist Tourism in Orissa. Dhauli hill on the bank of the river Daya is a little away from the main road to Puri/Konark from Bhubaneswar. Ashoka changed his mind in favor of spiritual conquests in preference to war exploits after the Kalinga war which was fought here in the 3rd century B.C. This place motivated the Kalinga Nippon-Buddha Sangha to establish a peace pagoda or Shanti Stupa at Dhauli along with the construction of a monastery called Saddharma Vihar Lalitagiri, the earliest Buddhist complex of 1st century A.D. has a huge brick monastery, the remains of a Chaitya hall, a number of votive stupas and a renovated stone stupa at the apex of a small rugged sand stone hill dominates the rural greenery around. At Ratnagiri, excavations revealed the establishment of a Buddhist center from the time of Narasimha Gupta Baladitya (first half of the sixth century A.D.). At Udaygiri excavations brought to light a sprawling complex of brick monastery with a number of Buddhist sculptures. Infact the entire area is found located at the foothills of a large hill acting as the backdrop of the area.
TaboA Gompa was founded in 996 AD. (A Tibetan year of the fire Ape) and the initiative is said to belong to the great teacher Rinchensang Po also known as Mahaguru Ratnabhadra. In June -July 1996, Tabo celebrated a millennium of its glorious existence. With breathtaking murals and stucco images, Tabo is often called "The Ajanta of the Himalayas". And here is art that above all, is born of religion and deep faith. The Tabo monastery at a height of 3050mts is a complex that holds 9 temples, 23 chortens a monks chamber and an extension that houses the nun s chamber. This core area bounded by an earthen wall and encloses an area of 6300sq.m. Just short of the complex are the contemporary monastic structures .On the sheer cliff face above the enclave are a series of cave which were used as dwelling units by the monks. And includes an assembly hall. Here again, dim traces of the painting that once adorned the rock face are visible.
Nalanda90 kms south of Patna, literally means the place that confers the lotus. It was one of the oldest universities of the world. It has nine million books, ten thousand students, two thousand teachers and was a center of great learning which reached its zenith between 5th and 12th Century A.D. Both Lord Buddha and Lord Mahavira visited this place. Emperor Ashoka built a Vihara, while Emperor Harshvardhan donated a 26 mtr. High copper image of Buddha and Emperor Kumar Gupta built a college of fine arts. In 1951, an International Center for Buddhist Studies was established in Nalanda. Nava Nalanda Vihar, 2 kms from here, is a similar institution.
RajgirRajgir , meaning " the Royal Palace" ,(Raja Griha) lies 12 kms south of Patna. Rajgir is a site of great sanctity and significance for Buddhists. The Gridhakuta Hill, in Rajgir, was the seat from where Buddha delivered many of his sermons. It was here that the teachings of Buddha were recorded in writing for the first time. An aerial ropeway takes visitors up the hill where the Japanese have built a beautiful Stupa. Many sites of. Historical and archaeological significance surrounds the holy city of Rajgir. Bimbisara Jail reminds one of the devoted Mauryan King Bimbisara (5th-6th Century B.C.) who, being a Buddhist, chose this as a place to spend his last days. From here he could see Buddha climbing up the Grihakuta Hill to do his meditation. Ajatashatru's Fort is another place of tourist attraction. The sculpture, which depicts the 'Parinirvana' or the 'great cessation' of Buddha, is another monument of artistic and historical importance. It shows the Buddha lying on his right side with the right forearm resting under his head to commemorate the final salvation or 'Mukti', of the great founder of the Buddhist Faith. Other prominent sites of importance at Rajgir include Saptdhara, the hot springs which supposedly have healing powers; Venuvan Vihara, the residence built by the king Bimbisara for Buddha; Jivaka's Mango grove, residence of an ardent Buddhist follower, Jivak who was a surgeon; and the Karanda Tank, bathing site of Lord Buddha. Also the first Buddhist Council was convened here, at the Saptaparni Cave, after the Mahaparinirvana of Buddha. Patna lies 102 kms from here and 34 kms from here is Gaya.
SikkimSikkim is situated in the Eastern Himalayas, along the borders of Bhutan (East). Tibet (North), Nepal (West) and West Bengal (South). Its capital, Gangtok has a lot to see, specially the Research Institute of Tibetology, a World center for the study of Buddhist philosophy& religion and has a rare collection of Thankas, statues and over 200 Buddhist icons. 24kms away, you approach the Rumtek Monastery which houses among the most unique art objects in the world. 3 kms from Gangtok is the Enchey Monastery built almost 200 years ago and was blessed by the great tantric master Lama Druptab Karpa.
TawangNot very far from Bomdila in Arunachal Pradesh lies the Tawang Headquarters, a beautiful district in the center of which emerges the walled and fortified Tawang Monastery. The monastery overlooks the valley and is surrounded by mountains which seem to be guarding the valley and its inhabitants. Over 500 Lamas live in its 65 residential buildings. One can witness a superb collection of ancient scriptures, images, Thankas and a 8mtr. High gilded image of Buddha.The monastery is locally known as Gompa, like any other and is believed to be 400 years old.
Alchi MonasteryLadakhPopularly known as "Hermit Kingdom". Ladakh is a land of snow carved peaks ,translucent Lakes ,barren terrain and mystic culture .Quite like Tibet it has a great Buddhist tradition which is evident from the high monk to people ratio of 1:8.It has about 13 major Gompas(monasteries) of which HEMIS is considered the Gompa Of Gompas.It has the patronage of the Royal Family. It is the most important monastery of Ladakh with a concealed entrance, a huge courtyard flanked by two big temples. In the month of June, the famous "Hemis festival" is held, when a large numbers of tourist visit it. Alchi ,a little village 70 km from Leh in Jammu & Kashmir ,is known as a jewel among the religious sites in Ladakh. Abandoned centuries ago this monastery is lovingly maintained by the monks at Likir, the nearest functioning Gompa. It is popularly known as Chos-kar (religious enclave) and comprises of 5 temples which are perhaps the richest in their collection of painting s and images in the Du -Khang (the Assembly Hall), and the three storied Sum-Tsek. Its murals dating back to the 11th and 12th Centuries, pre date the Tibetan style of painting which is found in all other Gompas. Some of them are the reminiscent of the painting of the far off Ajanta Caves and are presumed to be the almost the sole survivor of the Buddhist style, currently in Kashmir during the first millenium AD.
