Buddhism in India

(Come; discover the path to enlightenment with the Buddhist circuit.)

Buddhism is one of the world’s great religions, which demonstrate the life of prince Siddhartha from the small Shakya kingdom located at the foothills of the Himalayas in Nepal, when he began his quest for the truth of humanity to end all suffering. He left his royal life in his kingdom and meditated for years before he attained enlightenment under the sacred Bodhi tree at Gaya, also known as Mahaparinirvana. Then, after attaining the enlightenment he spent rest of his life, helping people to overcome of their miseries and sorrows & to attain true happiness. Emperor Ashoka after the Kalinga battle followed the Buddha and constructed stupa in his memory.

In the Mahaparinirvan sutra, the Buddha tells his followers that they can gain merit and get inspiration to walk on the path of Dharma by going on pilgrimage to the places where he was born (Lumbini), became enlightened (Bodh Gaya), first taught (Sarnath), and attained mahaparinirvana (Kushinagar).

Buddhism originated in India still has the significance. As the followers of Buddhism kept Buddha alive in their mind and soul through following his principles. You will find various monuments related to Buddhism such as Stupas, Viharas, etc. in India. India is a place where Buddha attained Enlightenment & ended people sorrows and miseries.

Last words by Buddha, “Behold, O monks, this is my last advice to you. All component things in the world are changeable. They are not lasting. Work hard to gain your own salvation.”

“BUDDHAM SHARANAM GACHAAMI, DHAMMAM SHARANAM GACHAAMI, SHANGHAM SHARANAM GACHAAMI”

Best tourist sites of Buddhism:

Bodhgaya:

Bodhgaya, considered the most important Buddhist pilgrimage destination in the world, is the place where the Buddha attained enlightenment.

Nalanda:

Nalanda literally means “The giver of knowledge”. It was the most renowned and the oldest university in the world. Many international scholars and travelers from faraway places like java/Sumatra/Korea/Japan & china were attracted to this university. Two famous travelers from china, hiuen Tsiang & Fa-hien visited Nalanda in first half of seventh century.

Rajgir:

Rajgir (Rajgiraha) literally means ‘The Abode of king’. It is surrounded by meandering river Banganga and five hills. Rajgir is an important Buddhist pilgrimage site as the Buddha spent twelve years here and the first Buddhist council was hosted here at the saptaparni caves.

Sarnath:

It was in the deer park at Sarnath that the Buddha gave his first sermon now termed as dharma chakra pravartan or turning of the wheel of law. In it, the Buddha explained the way to end suffering and attain knowledge.

Varanasi:

Varanasi also known as Kashi (the city of Light), or as Benares, Varanasi is situated on the west bank of the River Ganges. It is a holy city of Hindu, Buddhist, Jainism – and Jews. It is referred often as a city of light. Varanasi is a place where Gautama Buddha gave his first sermon to his disciples after obtaining Enlightenment back in Bodh Gaya where we just were.  Varanasi is said to have been designated by Gautama Buddha. Varanasi is the city where Buddhism was founded.  It is also one of the holiest cities and targets of pilgrimage for Hindus. It is said that Varanasi is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend.

Lumbini:

Lumbini is the place where the Buddha, known as the Tathagata was born. It is the place which should be visited and seen by a person of devotion and which should cause awareness and apprehension of the nature of impermanence. The birthplace of the Gautama Buddha, Lumbini, is the Mecca of every Buddhist, being one of the four holy places of Buddhism. It is said in the Parinibbana Sutta that Buddha himself identified four places of future pilgrimage: the sites of his birth, enlightenment, first discourse, and death. All of these events happened outside in nature under trees.

Sravasti:

Buddha is believed to have spent twenty four monsoons in sravasti. Age-old stupas, majestic monasteries and several temples near the village of sahet-mahet highlight the Buddha’s association with sravasti. The presence of Lord Buddha in Sravasti led his Sangha advance to congregate into one place.

Kushinagar:

This major Buddhist pilgrim centre is said to be the place where lord Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana. Kushinagar is a place where tathagata, “the recite of truth” , attained Nirvana. The huge statue of the reclining Buddha at the mahaparinirvan temple was excavated in 1876. The excavations led by General Cunningham have revealed some antique artifacts and structures related to all sects of Buddhism. I exhort you, saying, decay is inherent in all component things! Work out your salvation with diligence!”