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BUDDHIST TOUR IN INDIA -
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Sarnath - It is again situated in the state of Utter
Pradesh about 10 kms. from the holy city of Varanasi.
It was the place where more than 2500 years ago Buddha
delivered 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 as Dharmachakra Pravartan. This set
in motion the great Buddhist tradition of the Sangha
(association), for popularizing the teachings of the
great ascetic, world-wide. The beginning of the celebrated
and sacred Mantra 'Buddham Sharnam Gachhami', owes its
origin to Sarnath. The three Jewels" I for refuge
to the Buddha, I go for refuge to the Wheel of Law,
I go for refuge to the Sangha" first laid down
here, have remained unchanged ever since.
Kushinagar - Kushinagar is a
revered place for Buddhist pilgrims, 55 kms away from
Gorakhpur in the state of Uttar Pradesh. It was here
that Buddha, 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 - Mahaparinirvana temple
today stands amidst a serene Sal tree grove - as if
still reminiscing the great demise. The Chinese travelers
Fa Hien, Hieun Tsang and T. Ising visited Kushinagar
during different centuries and recorded a graphic account
of the place which late fell to bad times, due to lack
of support from local administration. These recordings
provided the vital clues for excavations done centuries
later by Sir Alexander Cunningham. Apart from all these,
a Chinese Temple, a Buddhist Temple, a Tibetan Temple
and the Indo-Japan-Sri Lanka Buddhist Centre hold significant
religious value for pilgrims.
Apart from the above the following
places are also connected to Buddha: -
Kaushambi - 54 kms from Allahabad
city in the state of Uttar Pradesh, lies Kaushambi which
was visited by Buddha in the 6th & 9th years after
his enlightenment. He delivered several sermons here,
elevating it to a centre of learning for Buddhists.
Sravasti - Situated 134 kms from Lucknow, it
is the place where Buddha is said to have performed
some miracles.
Vaishali - This place is believed to be the first
republic of the world, having an elected body of representatives
and holds special significance for Buddhist devotees.
Lord Buddha delivered his last sermon here hinting at
his departure from the mortal world. Later Emperor Ashoka
erected a huge pillar to commemorate the spot of the
last sermon.
The above were some of the important
places directly related to the life of Buddha. As time
passed by important centers of Buddhist learning kept
coming up to spread the message all over India. These
centers are spread all over India and neighbouring countries
like Nepal, Tibet etc. Nalanda in the state of Bihar
is the house of International Centre for Buddhist Studies
and Nava Nalanda Vihar, Gangtok in the State of Sikkim
has Research Institute of Tibetology, a World centre
for the study of Buddhist Philosophy and religion. Rumtek
Monastry in Sikkim again houses the most unique
art objects related to Buddhist Philosophy. Likewise
Sankisa, Tabo, Sanchi, Karla caves, Kanheri caves, Junnar
caves, Bhaja caves, Ajanta caves and Nagarjuna Konda
also speak a lot about the spread of Buddhism civilization.
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