0 оценок0% нашли этот документ полезным (0 голосов)
55 просмотров14 страниц
Visiting a pilgrimage to the holy places mentioned by the Buddha, is a once-lifetime undertaking. The pilgrim is not an ordinary tourist travelling for pleasure and enjoyment. The Buddha himself advised us to visit those places and look upon them with feelings of reverence to purify one's thought, speech and action.
Visiting a pilgrimage to the holy places mentioned by the Buddha, is a once-lifetime undertaking. The pilgrim is not an ordinary tourist travelling for pleasure and enjoyment. The Buddha himself advised us to visit those places and look upon them with feelings of reverence to purify one's thought, speech and action.
Visiting a pilgrimage to the holy places mentioned by the Buddha, is a once-lifetime undertaking. The pilgrim is not an ordinary tourist travelling for pleasure and enjoyment. The Buddha himself advised us to visit those places and look upon them with feelings of reverence to purify one's thought, speech and action.
Lumbini - Here the Tathagata was born! This, Ananda, is a place that a pious man should visit and look upon with feelings of reverence.
Buddhagaya - Here the Tathagata became fully enlightened, in unsurpassed, Supreme Enlightenment! This, Ananda, is a place that a pious man should visit and look upon with feelings of reverence.
Sarnath -Here the Tathagata set rolling the unexcelled Wheel of the Law! This, Ananda, is a place that a pious man should visit and look upon with feelings of reverence.
Kusinara: Here the Tathagata passed away into Nibbana wherein the elements of clinging do not arise! This, Ananda, is a place that a pious man should visit and look upon with feelings of reverence.
And whosoever, Ananda, should die on such a pilgrimage, with his heart established in faith, he at the breaking up of the body, after death, will be reborn in a realm of heavenly happiness.
Mahaparinibbana Sutta
Visiting a pilgrimage to the holy places mentioned by the Buddha, is a once-lifetime undertaking. With so much time, money and effort involved, it is important to understand what a pilgrimage is all about, especially the mental aspect. Pilgrimage is a journey to sacred places as an act of devotion and faith. Thus the pilgrim is not an ordinary tourist travelling for pleasure and enjoyment. The Buddha himself advised us to visit those places and look upon them with feelings of reverence to purify ones thought, speech and action. In this way, the pilgrim is endowed with the morality of Right Thought, Right Speech and Right Action. So we can see that visiting the places of pilgrimage with the correct mental attitude can help us in our practice of the Buddhas Teaching.
It goes without saying that these four great places are virtual theatre where different aspects of Lord Buddha's life are elaborated for the fortunate devotees to see and
Page||2
experience. So it is clear that what a devout can perceive of the entire life of Lord Buddha in India, cannot be replicated anywhere else. The fragrance of the Lord Buddha still lingers in India. It's only a question of visiting to experience it yourself.
From China came the devout and earnest Buddhist monks, like Fa Hsien (399AD- 414AD), Hsan Tsang (629-645 AD) and many others, who travelled great distances braving immense hardships, perils, and even death to fulfill their desire to visit the holy places. Another pilgrim, I-Ching, travelled India passing many days without food, even without a drop of water. However, keeping up their morale and spirit under such difficult conditions. In a attempt many died from sheer physical exhaustion or sickness, and some had to leave their bones in desert-sands or somewhere out in India. Yet, in spite of these difficulties, they never faltered nor wavered, such was their indomitable spirit and desire to gaze on the sacred relics of their religion.
Therefore, let us consider ourselves very fortunate for being able to visit and such great holy places without having to face hardship endured by other pilgrims.
I Summary Schedule
12 Night/13 Days trip to India (from 03-15 November 2014) Proposed tour routes
Delhi Agra Delhi Bodhgaya Rajgir
Nalanda Patna Vaishali Kushinagar
Lumbini Sarnath Varanasi Kolkata
Guwahati Delhi Taiwan/Singapoer
Page||3
II - Tour Itinerary
Day 1 : Nov 3 rd | Arrival Delhi Arrive Delhi international airport and agents representative will meet and greet guests there. He will then take you for the city tour of Delhi. Depending upon the flight schedule sightseeing of New Delhi that includes India Gate, Parliament & President House, Humayun's Tomb and drive through the Diplomatic area. Check in the hotel for overnight in New Delhi.
Day 2: Nov 4 th | Delhi Agra Delhi Early morning Breakfast or pack break and drive to Agra. Reach Agra and agents English speaking guide will meet the group and will take for the city tour of Agra - Taj Mahal, and Agra Fort. Return back to Delhi in the evening and stay overnight.
Day 3 : Nov 5 th | Delhi Bodhgaya
After breakfast, check out and may do some leftover sightseeing depending on time availability and on consultation with guests. Later, transfer to the airport to board the flight to Bodhgaya. Late afternoon arrive at Bodhgaya airport. Agents representative will assist the guests in getting transferred to pre booked hotel. Check in, refresh and relax for a while. Evening visit to Mahabodhi Temple main shrine for offering and prayer and circumambulate the temple. Return and overnight at the hotel.
Day 4 : Nov 6 th | Bodhgaya Early morning - visit important places around Mahabodhi temple and circumambulate. After the breakfast visit Sujata village and Dungeshwara cave. Afternoon visit 80 Feet Buddha statue and temples around Bodhgaya. Evening lighting butter lamps, prayer and circumambulating main temple. Overnight at hotel in Bodhgaya.
Page||4
Day 5 : Nov 7 th | Bodhgaya Rajgir (77 kms/2 hrs) Nalanda (20 kms/ hr) Patna ( 95 kms/3 hrs) Travel to Rajgir (Vishwa Shanti Stupa/Japanese temple), Girdhakuta, Bimbisara Jail, Saptaparni caves, hot spring etc.). Drive to Nalanda and visit the Nalanda University ruins. Travel to Patna and overnight at Patna. If time permit visit to Patna Museum.
Day 6 : Nov 8 th |Patna Vaishali Kushinagar (230 kms/7-8 hrs) After breakfast, check out and travel to Vaishali. Visit main Stupa for offering, prayer and circumambulating. Visit Vishwa Shanti Stupa, Museum, walk around Vaishali and proceed to Kushinagar. At Kushinagar visit Mahaparinirvana temple for offering, praying and circumambulating. Overnight stay at Kushinagar
Day 7 : Nov 9 th | Kushinagar Lumbini (170 kms/5 hrs) After early breakfast, check out and visit Ramabhar stupa where Buddha was cremated. Visit important temples for offering and prayer. Proceed to Lumbini. Reach Lumbini and check-in hotel. Visit to main temple for offering, prayers and circumambulating temple.
Day 8 : Nov 10th | Lumbini Sarnath (306 km/ 7 hrs) After breakfast, check out and visit other importance places around Lumbini. Proceed to Saranath. Overnight at Saranath or Varanasi. If time permit visit Dharmek Stupa.
Day 09 : Nov 11 th | Sarnath Varanasi Kolkata
After breakfast, check out and visit Dhamekh Stupa for offering, prayer and circumambulating. Visit Sarnath Museum and Mulagandha Kuty Vihara. In the afternoon, visit river Ganga and get transferred to the airport to board the flight to Kolkata.
At Kolkata, agents representative will receive the guest and transfer to pre booked hotel. Overnight at Hotel in Kolkata.
Day 10 : Nov 12th | Kolkata Guwahati
Early morning check out and get transferred to Kolkata airport to board the flight to Guwahati. Arrival in Guwahati and entire arrangement for 3 nights stay from 12 Nov, 2014 to 14 Nov, 2014
Page||5
will be taken care by Nangkor Tours and Travels, Bhutan.
Day 11 & 12 : Nov 12 th 13 th 14 th
Descending Day of Lord Buddha celebration in Bhutan.
Day 13 : Nov 15 th | Guwahati Delhi Fly back home
Nangkor Tours and Travels (Bhutan) transfer the guests at Guwahati Airport and board the flight from Guwahati airport for Delhi. Reach Delhi international airport for boarding flight to their onward destination.
Page||6
III Places of interest to visit
LUMBINI ()
Maya Devi Temple Lumbini (meaning "the lovely") is a Buddhist pilgrimage site located in Nepal, near the Indian border. It is the place where Maya Devi gave birth to Buddha on the full-moon day of May, the year 623 B.C. at the Lumbini Park. He was named Siddhartha Gautam, meaning "wish fulfilled." An Ashoka Pillar, built in 249 B.C., marks the exact spot where Buddha was born.
The Chinese monk Hiuen-Tsang visited in 7th century C.E and mentioned this site in his travel record. After the 14th Century, the place was neglected for almost 600 years until an archaeological survey in 1896. More discoveries were made in the 1930s in a large scale excavation at the site. Later, discovery of a broken Ashoka Pillar, an old monastery, statues of Buddha's mother Maya Devi helped in establishing the true identity of Lumbini. The Puskarni pond is believed to be very holy as the Queen Maya Devi took purification bath after delivery of Buddha and also infant Buddha was give purification bath in this pond. According to Buddhist tradition, previous Buddhas were born, achieved enlightenment and died in Lumbini. Therefore, the place is considered most holy by all Buddhist. Further, there are several holy sites to be visited within Lumbini.
Pushkarni Pond
BODHGAYA() The most holy place for Buddhist as the Buddha enlightened at Bodhgaya under Bodhi Tree. There are number of monasteries established by Buddhists of Japan, Thailand, Myanmar, China, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Tibet. Hence, it is also a major attraction for foreign tourists.
We can also visit Sujata village which is at the bank of River Naranza, place where Buddha spent six years meditating prior to enlightenment. We can also visit Dungeshwara cave where Buddha meditated during six years penance.
Page||7
Main Statue The temple which 170ft high and 48 radius from base is believed to be built by King Ashoka in 3 rd century AD. The gold plated of Buddha was built by Gupta King in 4 th century AD is located at the basement of the temple.
The Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsiang visited the place in 7 th century AD and recorded the presence of Bodhi tree, Maha Bodhi Temple, several stupas and other structure. The structure remained covered with flood soil for several years and later in 1883 a British archeologist, Cunningham and Indian Dr. Rajendra Lal jointly restored this temple complex. Later this temple complex was believed to be occupied by Hindu community and in around 1890s Anagarika Dharmapala with the support from other Buddhist countries managed to reclaim back and UNESCO declared Mahabodhi Temple as a world heritage in 2002. Mahabodhi Temple Bodhi Tree Sakya Prince Siddhartha attained the supreme enlightenment and became Lord Buddha under this Bodhi tree at the age of 35. After the enlightenment Lord Buddha spent 1 st week sitting under this tree. However, the present tree is 4 th generation offspring of the original Bodhi Tree. 1 st generation tree was nearly destroyed by King Ashokas queen in 3 rd
century BC, but revived. Second time in 7 th century AD, King Sashank Verman from central Bengal tried to harm the tree. However, Magadh King Purna Verma restored it. Third time, in 1870 the tree was damaged by heavy storm. In 1881 AD, famous British general Cunningham brought an ancestor plant of this ancient tree from Anuradhpur, Sri Lanka planted and planted here.
Page||8
At Animesh Lochan Stupa, Lord Buddha spent 2 nd week after his enlightenment, looking at the Bodhi Tree continuously for 7 days without closing his eye in a deep divine pleasure state, out of gratitude to the tree for providing him with shelter.
In memory of this divine state, we now see an ancient stupa here with inscription and figure on it.
Animesh Lochan Stupa
Chankraman Asthal At Chankraman Asthal Lord Buddha spent the 3 rd week after his enlightenment. Entire week was spent walking to-&-fro at this holy place. In memory of this divine state, we can see stone structure. There are 19 lotus prints on this structure in memory of the footprints of Lord Buddha while in walking state. Lord Buddha spent 4 th week at Ratanghar after enlightenment. During meditation, a holy light of five colours spread in the whole atmosphere which came from Buddhas body. Each colour represented one noble quality of the Buddha: yellow for holiness, white for purity, blue for confidence, red for wisdom and orange for desirelessness. The mixed colour represented all these noble qualities. In memory of this divine state, we find statue of Lord Buddha in meditation posture. Ratanghar
Azpal Tree Lord Buddha spent 5 th week under the Azpal Tree following his enlightenment. Buddha spent entire week in meditation state.
Page||9
Following the enlightenment Lord Buddha spent his 6 th
week in sitting posture. The snake king named Muchalind living in this tank protected Lord Buddha from heavy storm and rain sent by evil forces. In the memory of this divine state, we can see Buddha statue protected by snake king. We can also find Ashoka pillar near the pond. Muchalind Tank Rajayatan Following the enlightenment, Lord Buddha spent his 7 th week at this place. Two merchants from Burma (the present Myanmar) named Tapassu and Bhallik passing by this place offered meal to Lord Buddha. In return Lord Buddha gave his hairs relic now called Kesa Datu which still remain in the Shwedagon Pagoda in Rangoon as most precious Buddhist relic. This Ashoka pillar was built by King Ashoka in 3 rd
century AD. This pillar marks importance of Buddhist site. Such pillars are found in almost all important Buddhist sites in India. It is believed that Buddhas mortal relics have been divided among the 8 important patrons of Buddha who built relic stupas at their respective places. It is believe that King Ashokas pillars also contain some relics and there to be revered.
Ashoka Pillar
Sujata Ghar Sujatas place stands nearby famous river Naranza. It is believe that Lord Buddha came to this village after 6 years of Penance. Knowing that extreme practice doesnt bring much success decided to follow middle path. Accordingly, Lord Buddha accepted rice boiled in milk from village girl called Sujata in this place. Seeing the breaking of long penance the main 5 followers of Lord Buddha him behind. Dungeswari Cave It is believe that Lord Buddha meditated in this cave during his six years great penance. It is in this cave (Dungeshwari) that he realized that fasting and mortifying the flesh will not bring him enlightenment or divine knowledge. This cave was the Mahakala (Dungeswari) cave.
Dungeswari Cave
Page||10
RAJGIR() & NALANDA () After the first sermon at Sarnath, Lord Buddha gave second sermon at Girdhakuta. Lord Buddhas patron king Bimbisara was converted to Buddhism in this holy place. It is also said that Buddha gave teaching during rainy seasons and there are natural caves used by Lord Buddha and his chief disciples. The main teaching given by Lord Buddha was on Prajnaparamita.
Girdhakuta
Jeevak Amravan Vihar This place has been gifted to chief courtesan Jeevak by King Bimbisara who was also Kings physician. Jeevak treated Lord Buddha when he was hurt by his cousin Devdutt. Later on Jeevak offered to Lord Buddha and his followers for their convenience. According to the historical sources, King Ajatshatru kept his father Bimbisara in a small prison inside this fort around 6 century BC. King Bimbisara chose this place in the last years of his life so that he can see Lord Buddha going to Girdhakuta every morning. Archaeological remains found during excavation include small rooms of stone, huge iron chain which had a ring on one end. It is believed that this might have used as hand cuff. The king Bimbisara was a good and pious ruler but, due to his past bad karma,
Fort of Ajatshatru & Bimbisara Jail he had to face an untimely and miserable death caused by his son's wickedness. Hot Spring - It is believed that in order to take bathe Lord Buddha caused hot spring to appear. Men far and near flock here to take holy bathe, after which those who have suffered from diseases and chronic affliction are often healed.
Saptaparni Cave Saptaparni Cave Six month after the nirvana of Lord Buddha, the first Buddhist Council was held here. The council was attended by 500 monks.The Lord Buddhas teachings were first put to writing at this holy place. Therefore, this place is very sacred for Buddhist pilgrimage. Venuvan This place was the first gift to Lord Buddha from King Bimbisaras side. According to historical records, Lord Buddha spent here for very long period of time.
Page||11
Venuvan Nalanda - Though the Buddha visited Nalanda several times during his lifetime, this famous center of Buddhist learning shot to fame much later, during 5th-12th centuries. In this first international university of the world, 2,000 teachers and 10,000 monks students from all over the Buddhist world lived and studied here. The Chinese Monk Hsan Tsang who travelled and admitted at Nalanda said that admission was based on merit in which the gate-keeper, a responsible officer of considerable learning, would ask some difficult questions and the candidate had to answer them to his satisfaction. Normally, out of ten candidates, seven or eight would fail this screening
Nalanda University test. However, Hsan Tsang managed to get through King Ashoka and King Harshavardhana were some of its most celebrated patrons who built temples, monasteries and viharas at Nalanda. Several renown Mahayana masters like Nagarjuna, Arayadeva, Shantidevi, Naropa and many other studied, taught, resided and spread Buddhism to many parts of world. Later around 12t 13 th century AD, Muslim invasion destroyed the university. The excavation and restoration started from 1951.
Page||12
VAISHALI()
supposed to be very prosperous city which was built around 5 th
century BC. The Vaishali had best constitution and Buddha had greatly admired and borrowed a good deal from it to run his religious order. Legend has it that on one of Buddhas visits, several monkeys dug up a tank for his comfortable stay and offered him a bowl of honey. Buddha had regarded the incidence as approaching of
Vaishali nirvana. Accordingly, the Buddha preached his last sermon at Vaishali. During Buddhas departure from Vaishali to Kusinagar, the people of Vaishali knowing that this last chance for them to see Lord Buddha came a long way wailing, lamenting to bid him farewell. Buddha had to create a magical river to stop people coming further. Buddha once again paused to have a last glance of his much loved city. As a piety for Vaishali, Buddha gave his begging bowl which remain here for long time.
From 1958 1962 archeological excavation were carried out and the Licchavi Stupa came into light. The relic casket containing Buddhas ash, conch, piece of beads and golden leave was discovered within the stupa. The relic has been later in 1972 moved to Patna museum. Further, the Second Buddhist Council was held in Vaishali about 110 years later. We can also visit Ashoka Pillar and Vishwa Shanti Stupa which is 146 feet is claimed to be highest Buddha Stupa in the world built by Indosan Niponji, Japan.
SARNATH()
Dharmek Stupa After the enlightenment and upon hearing that Buddhas masters were passed away he travelled to Sarnath looking for his 5 disciples and met in Sarnath. Other reasons for travelling very far (240km) from Bodhgaya to Sarnath to turn first Wheel of Dharma were - The past Buddhas turned Wheel of Dharma in Sarnath and also due to its immediacy to the world renowned city of Kashi or Varanasi, the then hub of scholarly and cultural activities.
With his five disciples the concept of Sangha came into existence.
Page||13
Buddha taught the Four Noble Truths and prescribed the Eight-fold path. An imposing conical structure, 34 meters in height, called Dhamek stupa signifies the "seat of the holy Buddha."
There are remains dating as far back as the 3rd century B.C. when Emperor Ashoka founded various institutions, stupas, monasteries and pillar edicts. It is important to visit the Dhamekh stupa which signifies the place where Buddha delivered his first teachings in the form of the Four Noble Truths. It is also worth visiting museum housing numerous sculptures comprising numerous Buddha and Bodhisattva images. It also has the finest specimens of Buddhist art. Dharmarajika Stupa was built by Asoka to enshrine the relics of Lord Buddha. As per available records this hug structure was unfortunately pulled down by Jagat Singh, a diwan of Raja Chet Singh during 1794A.D. in order to exploit building materials. In this tragic event a relic casket of green marble inside a stone box was discovered. The box is preserved in the Indian museum, Kolkatta, where as the casket was thrown into river Ganges. Later on during archaeological excavations, image of Bodhisattva and an image of seated Buddha were found.
Dharmarajika Stupa
Mulagandha Kuti Vihar - The older version of Mulagandha Kuti Vihar lies in ruins today. According to Hieun Tsang, the Chinese monk, it was about 61 meter high and that is the place where Buddha rested and meditated in Sarnath.
KUSHINAGAR ()
Mahaparinirvana Temple This place is famed for its association with Lord Buddha who is believed to have attained Maharparinivana- the highest stage of salvation. It was in 1861 that extensive excavations at the site led to the resurfacing of the main Stupas related to Buddha.
The most important places to be visited are Mahanirvana Temple featuring a six meters long statue of Buddha in a
Page||14
reclining position and the statue is a representation of Buddha in his last hours and Ramabhar Stupa estimated to be about 50 feet tall, is famed as the site where Lord Buddha was cremated. Most of the religious structures were constructed between 3rd century BC and the 5th century AD. According to Mahaparinibbana Sutta of Digha Nikaya, Drona, the Brahman distributed the mortal remain of Lord
Reclining Buddha Buddha as below: King Ajatshatru of Magadh (Rajgir) The Mallas of Kushinagar (U.P) The Mallas of Pawa (Bihar) The Brahman of Vetha Dipa (Bihar) The Bulis of Alakappa(Bihar) The Sakyas of Kapilvastu (U.P) The Koliyas of Ramagram (Nepal) The Republic of Licchavi of Vaishali (Bihar)
As per the Buddhist literature, the King Ashoka during his rein from 273 BC 329 BC, he collected mortal of Lord Buddha from 7 stupas (relic casket), except the one in Nepal and divided into 84,000 parts and built several Ashoka Pillars and Ashoka Stupas on the path of Lord Buddha starting from Lumbini to Kushinagar.
There are also beautiful temples built by Japanese, Chinese and Thai worth visiting.