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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.
Sarnath
The
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.
Kaushambi
Was
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.
Kushinagar
It
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
Caves
The
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.
Sravasti
The capital of the ancient kingdom of Kosala, has the honor for
sheltering Buddha for 24 rainy seasons in the Jetvana Gardens.
Vaishali
Vaishali, 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.
Sankisa
It is believed to be the place where Buddha, along with Bramha and
Devraj Indra descended after giving sermons to his mother in heaven.
Sanchi
Sanchi 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.
Orissa
The
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.
Shanti
Stupa, Orrisa
Tabo
A 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.
Nalanda
90 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.
Nalanda
University
Rajgir
Rajgir
, 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.
Shanti
Stupa,Rajgir
Cable
Ropeway
Sikkim
Sikkim
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.
Tawang
Not 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.
 Ladakh
Popularly 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.
Monastery,
Ladakh
Karla
Caves
Rock
Caves, Karla
Dating
back to the 2nd Century BC, the monuments at Karla are at a distance
of 11 km from Lonavala and just off the Mumbai-Pune road. The magnificent
Chaitya hall at Karla is the largest (124ft x 46.5ft x 45ft) and
most evolved example of its class. Three important features of the
interior of the hall are columns or pillars, the roof vault and
the great sun windows. There are 37 columns in all, of which 30
have interesting capitals showing prosperous men and women riding
elephants and horses yet bowing in humility to the Great Buddha.
The vaulted roof has wooden supports. This is the only place in
India where 2000-year-old woodwork can be seen. At the far end of
the hall stands a stupa, above which is held an umbrella, a symbol
of royalty. The whole system of lighting depends on the enormous
sun windows through which cleverly diffused light with its light
and shadows gives a great sense of solemnity.
Pillar
lined interiors of Karla Caves
Kanheri
Caves
Situated
42 Kms north of Mumbai, near Borivili, the kanheri caves were once
protected by a dense jungle. The Caves are set in the heart of the
Borivili National Park. There are 109 caves
dating
from 1st century BC to 9th Century AD, each connected with a flight
os steps. The most important one is the Cave No.3 of the
6th century which has the last of the excavated Chaitya Hall of
the Hinayana Order. It has 34 pillars and is like a colonnaded hall
28 mtrs.x13 mtr. in dimension. The encircle a 5mtrs. high Dagoba
or stupa and have carvings depicting elephants kneeling and worshipping
the stupa. The other important caves are, Cave 11, Durbar Hall
or the Assembly Hall with a statue of the Buddha occupying
the central place as in the case of idols in Hindu temples and also
a number of cells for Buddhist monks. Cave 34 is a dark cell
and has paintings of the Buddha on the ceiling. Cave 41 has,
besides other sculptures, a figure of the eleven headed Avalokieshvara.
Cave 67 is a big cell, with the figure of Avalokiteshwara as
savior flanked by two female figures in the verandah. There are
also images of the Buddha depicting the miracle of Sravasti.
Junnar
Caves
The
birth place of the Maratha chieftain Chhatrapati Shivaji,
is 177 kms from Mumbai on the Mumbai-Aurangabad route. The hills
surrounding the plains of Junnar are honeycombed with a cluster
of Buddhist caves, which are divided into three distinct groups,
which are divided into three distinct groups. These caves belongs
to the period 2nd Century BC to 3rd century AD. 5 Kms to the west
are the TULIJA lENA Group which has a circular dome ceiling
in the Chaitya Hall (Cave No. 3.). The second group of caves
are located 1.5 Kms south of the town, towards the Manmodi Hills.
It has a well preserved facade. The third group, Ganesh Lena
Group is located 4 kms south of Junnar. There are a large number
of small cells and viharas in the group, the principal being the
Chaitya cave No. 6 and the vihara now known as the Ganesh
Lena.
Bhaja
Caves
Bhaja
has
18 caves belonging to the 2nd century B.C. Cave No. 12
is the largest and has a fine stilted vault. The last cave to
the south has a excellent sculptures including that of the famous
'Dancing Couple'. Bhaja caves are located 12 kms from
Lonavala and can be reached by an uphill climb of half-hour from
the
Malavali Railway Station on the Mumbai-Lonavala-Pune section of
the central Railway.
Nagarjuna
Konda
Nagarjuna Sagar, earlier called vijaypuri in ancient times, is an
important Buddhist site located 150 kms from Hydrabad in Andhra
Pradesh. It is named after the Buddhist saint acharya Nagarjuna
and reveals one of the most outstanding Buddhist civilizations of
the 3rd Century A.D. a replica of the excavated site has been created
and carefully preserved on an island known as Nagarjuna Konda. The
excavations have brought to light the Mahachaitya, the most sacred
of the Stupas. An inscription in the Brahmi characters states that
the relics of Buddha lie within the Mahachaitya while others have
revealed the existence of a Vihara and also an Aswamedha (sacrificial
alter), besides tools from the Paleolithic and Neolithic ages.
Aerial
view of excavated ruins at Nagarjuna Konda
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