Bihar – An Important Link for Buddhist-Pilgrimage

When we think of Buddhist India, we cannot miss out the prominence of Bihar. Derived from a Sanskrit word Vihara, literally meaning Buddhist place of abode, the modern day Bihar is etched in rich Buddhist heritage and culture. Anciently known as Magadha, the region became famous as the originator of the world’s greatest pacifist religion, Buddhism.

Located in East India, this destination is closely associated with Lord Buddha’s pursuit from ignorance to enlightenment.  The region’s historical and spiritual connection is evident from the fact that the Prince Siddhartha’s quest against ignorance ended in Bodhgaya after meditating for six years in continuity. He gained enlightenment here on this pious land of Bihar and became Buddha as known by everyone in the sixth century.

But Buddha didn’t limit his boon of knowledge to himself. He travelled and communicated his wisdom to his followers. His quest for truth also led him wandering through the kingdoms alongside the River Ganges, including Vaishali and Rajgir.

Present day Bihar still echoes the same sentient Buddhist essence like it did 2,600 years ago. The visit to Bodhgaya in Gaya takes the pilgrim to the Mahabodhi Temple, which is the epicenter of Buddhism. The temple, originally built by the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka is an important archaeological and a recognized world heritage site. The temple, over the centuries has evolved as an architectural amalgam influenced by many culture and features tall stone lotuses, figures of Lord Buddha sitting in different postures on temple walls, his footprints etched on the stone and a colossal golden Buddha statue inside the temple’s sanctum.

The next exclusive attraction of Bodhgaya is the illustrious presence of Bodhi Tree under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. Besides the presence of the revered Bodhi Tree, there are other canopied attractions in Bodhgaya where Lord spent his seven weeks in meditative trance. These include Chankramana, Animesh Lochana Chaitya, Muchalinda Lake, etc. Also, the 80 ft long Buddha statue in the meditative state overlooks the city.

The next important Buddhist attraction in Bihar is Rajgir. Anciently known as Rajagriha or the residence of the royal nobles, this was once a great city that still reminds a pilgrim many journeys and sermons of Lord Buddha. Here atop the Griddhakuta or Vulture’s Hill, Lord Buddha used to meditate and preach his followers. Venuvana Vihar, the next prominent attraction of Rajgir was the monastic complex donated by King Bimbisara to the lord. Also, here King Bimbisara was ordained into Buddhism by Buddha.

Amidst the modern day attraction, the city town hosts the Vishwa Shanti Stupa or World Peace Pagoda on the Ratnagiri peak adjacent to Griddhakuta.

Vaishali, the next destination in Bihar is regarded as one of the favourite resorts of the Buddha. In fact, he visited this kingdom frequently and nearby this location, he announced his final Mahaparinirvan. Present places of Buddhist importance here include Ashokan Pillar and two Buddhist stupas enshrining the stone casket containing ashes of Lord Buddha. The next destination, Kesaria in East Champaran District features the world’s largest Buddhist stupa in the world. Here, the lord preached Kesaputta stupa.

Such is the eternal association of Bihar with Buddha that makes it a prime Buddhist destination. In fact, Buddhist-Pilgrimage is considered incomplete without a visit to Bihar. Such is the importance of Bihar that makes it a prime Buddhist destination.

Buddhist-Pilgrimage – A Journey to Self Realization

Buddha, the king of the kings while preaching his followers once said, ‘You cannot travel the path until you have become the path itself.’ This quote has depth to it, inspiring the followers to follow the desired path with the great dedication and involvement. It’s the commitment to embrace the path to the existence that motivates us to achieve the spiritual awakening.

This also sums up the importance of journey in the life of every individual. A journey is an enriched way to learn more about life and evolve as a better individual. Every day we live on this earth is a journey in its own way waiting to realize the purpose of life. We spend each day here in a hope to reunite with the divine power that guides us and gain the ultimate knowledge.

Pilgrimages act as a mediator in realizing the goals of spiritual life and guiding pilgrims and travellers to understand the basic meaning and motives of existence. Often referred to as a long journey, a pilgrimage is carried out in search of great spiritual and moral significance. In most of the world’s faiths and religions, such a journey is seen with great regard and is considered as an act of spiritual devotion and surrender.

More than travel, this journey becomes an ultimate mission in the life of every religious follower to emerge out of it with a fresh inspiration and spiritual renewal. To realize this crucial purpose of life, every Christian or Jewish devotee turns towards Jerusalem, Muslims make Hajj to Mecca, Hindus visit the pious city of Varanasi and Buddhists take refuge to the Buddhist pilgrimage.

Suggested by the Buddha himself, this sacred journey brings his life on a path or journey. Just like his quote, he travelled his journey from a prince to a saint who renounced his materialistic life in search of the ultimate truth. He practically searched the knowledge from various sages for six years, but dissatisfied of all, he started searching the truth on his own.

And once a human mind is set on an ardent mission, nothing can turn it back. Same happened with the meditating prince who pierced the shell of ignorance with his continuous meditation for 50 days and attained the blissful enlightenment under the shade of Bodhi Tree in Gaya. This is now known as one of the four Buddhist pilgrimage sites called Bodhgaya.

From here, Buddha travelled to Mulgandhakuti Vihara or Deer Park in Kashi / Varanasi where he gave his first sermon of Middle Path and four truths of life. This event set off his life as the spiritual master, inspiring and illuminating the world with his practical knowledge and insights. Since then, he travelled extensively throughout the different sites in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, preaching sermons and enlightening ignorant souls with his knowledge.

But all great things come to an end. Same happened with the lord who after eating the last meal at Vaishali announced his Mahaparinirvana. His followers wept in gloom and the lord donated his begging bowl to them. He asked Ananda to continue the journey to Kushinagara where Tathagata gave his last teaching, Mahaparinirvana Sutta.

In this teaching, he asked the followers to continue the Buddhist-pilgrimage to the four sites of faith and seek the inspiration from his journey. These sites were closely related to the important events of lord Buddha’s life. They are:

1. The Buddha's birth place (Lumbini)

2. The site of Buddha’s enlightenment (Bodh Gaya)

3. The site of Buddha first sermon and initiation of Buddhism by turning the Wheel of the Dharma or Truth (Sarnath)

4. The place where the Buddha attained parinibbana, or final liberation (Kusinagara).

The abovementioned sites comprise the revered Buddhist Pilgrimage. Even in modern times, every year millions of devotees begin the pious Buddhist pilgrimage to seek inspiration from the lord. And, they become successful too, by learning more about the Buddha and understanding the sentient way to self realization.

This blog is an attempt to sum up the teachings of the Buddha and bring the awareness in the Buddhist world. 

Know the life of Lord Buddha before walking on Buddhist Pilgrimage

The life of Lord Buddha is a lesson for all of us. Born as a prince 2,600 years ago, his life depicted the struggles we face even today. But he rose above all odds and became the awakened Buddha. But there’s more to his life than we all know. Post enlightenment, he uplifted many souls and ordained them into Buddhism.

His life is a long text book based on travel. In the pursuit of the ultimate truth and knowledge, he renounced his kingdom comforts at Kapilvastu and wandered as an austere monk for the next six years in the search of the awakening. But he didn’t get his goal.

Therefore, the frail prince sat on a meditation with a determination - to receive an answer and ultimate knowledge to all his questions in life. Until that, he will not leave the meditation. All his fellow monks left him along the banks of Nairanjana River near Uruvela village and the prince selected a Banyan Tree for meditation. This meditative trance continued for 49 days and on the full moon night of Vaishakha in 521 B.C., the prince conquered his ignorance and became Buddha in Bodhgaya. The tree under which the Lord achieved the feat over his desires became the revered Bodhi tree.

Many travellers begin Bodhgaya pilgrimage with a same hope to gain the answers to the ignorance, just like the master and sit under the Bodhi to gain the same spiritual setting, like the Buddha. Also, they visit the sites where Lord spent the next seven weeks after enlightenment. The Animesh Lochana Chaitya Stupa, Chankramana, Muchalinda Lake in the present day Mahabodhi Temple Complex in Bodhgaya illustrate the lords’ presence.

The next prominent destination in the life of Buddha was Deer Park or Mulagandhakutivihara where Buddha after enlightenment preached the first sermon of Dharmachakrapravartana to the five ascetics. These were the same ascetics who prior to awakening left the lord isolated in the forest. Eventually, they became his first disciples. The site where this event occurred is presently known as the prominent Buddhist pilgrimage site, Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh. Here only Buddhism or following Gautama Buddha started.

Here, a pilgrim can pay respects to the two stupas and even can discover the roots to India’s national emblem, Lion Capital on an Ashokan Pillar in Sarnath Museum. The Buddhist pilgrimage site is 13 km away from Varanasi.

From there, the lord travelled as with his followers, took refuge in the numerous towns and monasteries at Jetavana (Sravasti), Rajagriha (Rajgir), Sankasia, Vaishali. These sites also became witness to lord’s prime suttas or discourses.

At the age of 80, in 486 BC, the lord spent his last rainy season in Vaishali. Here, he had his last meal from metalsmith, Chunda after which he fell ill. He asked the host to bury the food and announced his Mahaparinirvana. In this poor health, he with his followers moved towards Kushinara or Kushinagar. Here, the lord preached his last sermon of Mahaparinibbana Sutta where he asked his followers to visit the four important places in the journey of his life – Lumbini (birth), Bodhgaya (enlightenment), Sarnath (first sermon) and Kushinagar (final parinirvana). On the Vaishaka full moon day, the lord attained the Mahaparinirvana.

It can be considered contrasting that the Lord was born on the same day in the forests of Lumbini.  Presently, this site of Lord’s birth is there in Nepal, attracting a lot of pilgrims who seek inspiration and lesson from the life of the awakened one.

These four Buddhist sites have a strong association with Lord Buddha’s life. On these sacred sites, Tathagata not he not just changed his destiny, but delivered millions from the cycle of birth and death.

The trend still continues where millions of followers visit the Buddhist-Pilgrimage every year to seek inspiration and lesson from the life of the spiritual master. This blissful journey traces the footprints of the enlightened one and introduces the pilgrims to the sacred spiritual essence of the religion. To know more about this enlightening doctrine.