Buddhist religion tour in India

"We are what we think.
 All that we are arises with our thoughts.
 With our thoughts, we make our world."

The magnetism of India is not only because of its outlandish landscapes, but also deep rooted influence of religion inhibiting the minds of people since past. Buddhism too budded in the Indian soil.

Lord Buddha, originally known as Siddhartha Gautama, was born in Lumbini, to King Suddhodana, ruler of the Sakya tribe. At the age of 26, the king abandoned all the luxuries of life, leaving behind his wife Yashodhara and son Rahula. He left his palace in search of the ultimate goal of life.

Lord Buddha went through six years of harsh renunciation, but still was unable to find peace. He then shifted to a simpler form of renunciation and mediated for 49 days beneath a bodhi tree. And on the full moon of May, Lord Buddha became the enlightened one.

Rest of the life, Buddha spent preaching and converting people into his disciples. He died the age of 80 years.

Though 'The Enlightened one', as Lord Buddha was usually known as, rested his life in peace, what is left behind is his legacy in the form of his preaching and some great monumental structures and monasteries dedicated to him.

There are four Noble Truths of Buddhism. They are:

• Life is suffering
• Suffering is due to attachment
• Attachment can be overcome
• There is a path for accomplishing this.

Places of Buddhist interest

Pilgrimage destinations:

BodhGaya
Lumbini
Sarnath
Kaushambi
Khushinagar
Vaishali

Monasteries:

Ajanta Ellora caves
Namgyal Monastery
Sanchi Stupa
Rumtek Monastery
Mahabodhi Temple

Pilgrimage Destinations:

Lumbini:
Mayadevi, the mother of Lord Buddha, gave birth to Siddhartha Gautam, as he was called earlier, at Lumbini which is located in the Nepal- India border about 24 kms east of Kapilavastu, the home of Buddha. A pillar is now erected there which depicts King Ashoka's visit here.

BodhGaya:

This is the place where the then Prince Buddha gained enlightenment under the famous Bodhi tree. It was after the enlightenment that he came to be known as Lord Buddha.

The major attractions at BodhGaya are the Mahabodhi tree and the Mahabodhi temple. The Bodhi tree is the descendent of the original Bodhi tree under which the Buddha attained Enlightenment. Bodhi tree holds significant importance for the people who are true worshippers of Lord Buddha. Mahabodhi temple is a magnificent structure constructed just near the Bodhi tree and depicts life of Buddha with a beautiful shrine of him showing him touching the ground. A lot of sentiments of the followers of Buddha are attached with this place. Pilgrims from all over the world visit this site to witness the spirituality at its apex.

Vaishali:
Vaishali is a place of huge historical significance, especially with regards to Buddhism. Lord Buddha announced his Nirvana in Vaishali after delivering his last sermon. The second Buddhist Council after the death of Lord Buddha took place here. During his life span Buddha visited this place thrice and spent quality time here. Vaishali also has the Ashoka Pillar built here by Ashoka, constructed out of polished pieces of red sand stone.

Sarnath:
Sarnath is a deer park located 13 kilometers north east of Varanasi. It is the place where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon to his five disciples. Ashoka in the 3rd century BC built some fine monuments here. Ashoka's Lion Capital is one of the major attractions at Sarnath.

Kuashambi:
This place was visited by Buddha on the 6th and 9th years of gaining enlightenment. Earlier, being a great center of learning, what is left behind now is a ruined Ashokan Pillar, an old fort and an old monastery. A lot of archaeological excavations have taken place as a result of which old coins, sculptures have been found to a great extent.

Khushinagar:
It is this place where the Gautam Buddha entered Mahaparinirvana. His last words were, "behold now, brethren, I exhort you, saying, decay is inherent in all component things! Work out your salvation with diligence!"

Monasteries:

Ajanta Ellora Caves:
These caves are a wonderful example of religious and architectural superiority. These man made temples made out of granite hill are not naturally occurring caves. 29 caves at Ajanta and 34 caves at Ellora had remained concealed for centuries. They depict stories related to Buddhism from 200 BC to 650 BC.

Sanchi Stupa:
Ashoka had started the concept of making stupas in the honor of Lord Buddha. The stupas were used to keep the relics of Lord Buddha and his disciples. Sanchi Stupa is a remarkably designed Stupa by Ashoka. It's an exact testimony of Buddhist architecture and structures. There are minute carvings on the stupas and have beautifully designed gateways depicting life of Buddha and Ashoka.

Namgyal Monastery:
Namgyal Monastery, built in 1575, was originally located in Lhasa, but later shifted to Dharamshala, after the Chinese occupied Tibet. It was recreated here by His Holiness Dalai Lama and now is a great center of learning and ritual practices. The monastery has about two hundred monks and several younger monks.

Rumtek Monastery:
Situated near Gangtok, Rumtek monastery is one of the most famous monasteries among Tibetans. It was earlier called Dharma Chakra Center. The monastery has a creatively carved main shrine, residence for monks, nunnery, stupas, college and institutions.

Mahabodhi Temple:
This great piece of architecture is included in World Heritage Site. It is located near the Bodhi tree in such a way that the diamond throne of Buddha lies in between the Bodhi tree and the Mahabodhi temple. The temple was constructed by King Ashoka in the 3rd century BC. The site not only holds religious significance but is also a great example of architectural superiority. The temple has 54 meters high pyramidal tower surmounted by a Stupa. The walls of the temple depict the life of the Buddha along with inscriptions showing the ancient recordings of pilgrims from Sri Lanka, Myanmar and China. In the sanctum sanctorum one can see the shrine of Buddha touching the ground