ON CALL OF BUDDHA
Buddhist Pilgrimage to India AGENDA
• Buddhist Pilgrimage – Recalling Lord Buddha’s Teachings
• Tracing Buddha’s footprints
• Buddhist Pilgrimage – Destinations – Attractions – Infrastructure
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Recalling Lord Buddha’s Teachings
Before his Mahaparinirvana, the Call of Lord Buddha in Mahaparinibbana Sutta suggests the followers to embark on Buddhist-Pilgrimage in the journey of awakening
This journey follows the footprints of Lord Buddha in -
Bodhgaya Site of Enlightenment or Bodha Sarnath Preaching First Sermon to first five followers or Bodhisattvas Kushinagara Site of Mahaparinirvana Lumbini Birthplace of Sakyamuni
www.buddhist-pilgrimage.com Let’s embark on the pilgrimage of life
In the Land of Lord Buddha
www.buddhist-pilgrimage.com Tracing Buddha’s Footprints
Bodhgaya Kushinagar
Rajgir – Nalanda – Kesariya –Vaishali Sravasti – Kapilvastu
Sarnath Lumbini
Stupas Mayadevi Temple
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• Bodhgaya in Bihar is the site of Prince Siddhartha’s enlightenment.
• After wandering as a monk for years, he found answers to the problems troubling him in deep meditation and attained enlightenment.
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The Great Awakening Temple
• Mahabodhi Temple, in Bihar is deeply associated with the life of Buddha.
• Built by Emperor Ashoka in 3rd Century BC, it is one of the earliest Buddhist temples in brick standing in India.
• The inscription dated between 1st and 2nd century AD mentions that the temple of Ashoka was replaced by a new structure.
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Under Bodhi Tree, the sacred Banyan / Peepal tree, Lord Buddha sat in his meditation at Vajrasana, the diamond throne and attained enlightenment.
Animesh Lochan Chaitya is the site where Gautama Buddha spent his one week gazing in gratitude towards the Bodhi tree.
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Lord Buddha did the meditation tour at Chankramana during third week post enlightenment. On this platform, lotuses indicate the places the Buddha’s feet rested while walking.
The statue of Buddha amidst the lake meditating on a snake coil at Muchalinda Lake inspires pilgrims to meditate and keep the coil
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Pragbodhi – Where Prince Practised Austerities
Pragbodhi was the site where Siddhartha practiced austerities for six years before descending to Bodh Gaya.
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• Bodhgaya, being the world heritage site is equipped with the infrastructure assisting Buddhist Pilgrimage
• The city enjoys connectivity from the nearest airport at Gaya in Bihar
• There are many hotels that accommodate pilgrims during their Buddhist Pilgrimage Hotel Royal Residency Hotel Sujata Hotel Bodhgaya Gautam Hotel Lotus Nikko Hotel Galaxy Intercontinental Hotel Siddhartha International Imperial Hotel Niranjana Hotel Taj Darbar Sambodhi Retreat
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• Sarnath, near Varanasi is the deer park where Lord Buddha first taught dharma to his first five followers after enlightenment.
• He initiated Sangha and turned the Wheel of Law at Deer Park or Issipattna
• Teachings of Middle Path and Eightfold Path deserve mention when importance of Sarnath is concerned.
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Stupas of Sarnath
Chaukhandi Stupa commemorates the spot where Buddha met his first disciples.
The massive Dhamekh Stupa symbolizes the place where Lord Buddha delivered his first teachings in the form of four noble truths.
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Ashokan Pillar - Lion Capital at Sarnath Museum
• Ashokan Pillar at Sarnath is one of the most celebrated icons of India.
• It consists of a canopy representing an inverted bell-shaped lotus flower with Lion Capital facing four directions.
• Did you know that National Emblem of India featuring four lions is inspired by the same Lion Capital of Ashokan Pillar.
www.buddhist-pilgrimage.com Excursions of Sarnath – Varanasi
Varanasi – As old as time
Located close to Sarnath is Varanasi, one of the oldest continuing spiritual cities of India.
Situated on the eastern banks of River Ganges, this city is famous for its rich culture and spiritual traditions.
Boat-ride on River Ganges and Evening Aarti at Dashashwamedha Ghat is a must do activity post Sarnath Tour.
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• Sarnath, one of the important Buddhist Pilgrimage sites, is equipped with adequate infrastructure to support pilgrims • This Buddhist site is well connected by the nearest airport in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh • Pilgrims can stay in the luxurious hotels of Varanasi and experience the serenity of Sarnath during the day • Some renowned hotels preferred by Pilgrims during the stay at Varanasi are
Radisson Hotel Hotel Hindustan International (HHI) Ramada Plaza JHV Hotel Rivatas By Ideal The Gateway Hotel Ganges Hotel Clarks
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Site of Mahaparinirvana
• Kushinagar is the site of Lord Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana, the final exit from this earth on the full moon night
• The then capital of the Mallas, Kushinagar also witnessed the last teaching of Buddha, Mahaparinibbana Sutta.
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Temple of Reclining Buddha
• Mahaparinirvana Temple –This famous Temple houses a statue of Buddha reclining on his right side, representing his Mahaparinirvana. This Chunar sandstone statue belongs to the fifth century, according to inscriptions.
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Stupas of Kushinagar
Ramabhar Stupa – This 50 ft large stupa is famous as the cremation site of Lord Buddha.
Nirvana Stupa – Nirvana Stupa in Kushinagar is a huge brickwork stupa enshrining the Lord Buddha remains, right next to Mahaparinirvana Temple. This bell-shaped stupa symbolizes the Buddha's complete absorption into the highest state of mind.
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• Kushinagar is easily accessible for pilgrims by road and rail.
• The nearest airport to Kushinagar is in Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh (52 km)
• There are a number of hotels, dharamshalas and monasteries that accommodate pilgrims in Kushinagar.
• Some renowned accommodation options in Kushinagar are - – The Royal Residency – Lotus Nikko – The Imperial – Pathik Niwas (Government owned accommodation)
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Where Buddha was Born
• 2500 years ago, the village of Lumbini in Nepal witnessed the divine birth of Lord Buddha under the grove of Sal tree.
• Keeping in mind its glorious heritage and contribution to the Buddhist beliefs, Lumbini is a world heritage site.
www.buddhist-pilgrimage.com Mayadevi Temple, Lumbini
Maya Devi Temple was built over the foundations of more than one earlier temple or Ashokan stupa.
In 1996, an archaeological dig unearthed a 'flawless stone' placed there by Ashoka in 249 BC to mark the precise location of the Buddha's birth more than 2,600 years ago.
This excavation has brought Lumbini more prominently on the map for millions of religious pilgrims.
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Mayadevi Pond or Pushkarni is the site where Queen Mayadevi, mother of Prince Siddhartha took bath before delivery.
Ashokan Pillar in Lumbini is one of the inscribed evidences testifying the fact that the village was the birthplace of Lord Buddha.
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The Royal Abode
Lord Buddha visited Rajgriha, during the times of Bimbisara and Ajatshatru. After Buddha’s Parinirvana, Rajgir was chosen for the first Buddhist Council.
Griddhakuta – The rock cut caves of Griddhakuta were sanctified by the Lord Buddha’s presence. The hills were one of the favourite meditation sites of the master. Opposite to this Bimbisara Jail, is another landmark where the jailed king used to observe Buddha in meditation .
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Site of First Buddhist Council
Saptaparni Cave in Rajgir is the site where the first Buddhist council was held immediately after Buddha attained Nirvana.
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Peace for the World
Vishwa Shanti Stupa is a marble structure bearing golden image of the Buddha. This was recently built by the Napponzan Myohoji sect of Japan, The 38 metre high Vishwa Shanti Stupa is the 22nd in the chain of shrines built to propagate world peace.
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The Royal Abode
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Ancient University of Learning
Nalanda was one of the first great centers of learning in as the world’s first residential university. Around 2,000 teachers and 10,000 Buddhist monk students lived and studied here. Buddha himself visited the university many times.
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World’s Largest Buddhist Stupa
Kesariya is the site where the largest Buddhist Stupa of the world rests in peace. Here, Lord Buddha stayed once and preached the Sutta on Kalamas of Kesaputta, dedicated to natives of Kesariya.
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Site of Second Buddhist Council
Vaishali, one of the favourite resorts of Lord Buddha was the site of the announcement of his Parinirvana. Lord Buddha received a bowl of honey from monkeys.
Notable Buddhist sites in Vaishali include Stupa of Buddha’s ashes built by Lichchvis, Ananda Stupa, the famous lion pillar by Emperor Ashoka.
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Monastic shelter of Lord Buddha
• Sravasti was one of the prominent cities in India during Buddha’s time. Jetavana in Sravasti was the famous monastery where Buddha gave majority of his discourses and spent 20 rainy seasons.
• Ruins of Sahet and Mahet are primarily visited for their religious importance
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Kingdom of Shakyas
• Kapilvastu was the Sakya Kingdom, whose king was Sudhodhana, Prince Siddhartha’s Father.
• Lord Buddha spent his first 29 years living in royal indulgence.
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Attend the call of Lord Buddha
This spiritual call of Buddha invites the followers from the world over visit Buddhist-Pilgrimage and walk on the path to enlightenment, just like him.
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A Prime Buddhist Pilgrimage Experience
• Buddhist-Pilgrimage, a division of Top Travels and Tours is a special venture exploring the footprints of Lord Buddha in India and Nepal.
• With an experience of 27 years, the company is committed to provide pilgrims a serene experience in the blissful land of Buddha – India.
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