This is the third edition of ‘‘Buddhist Pilgrimage’ since it was first published in 2002. It comes with a new cover design and contains many new topics and fresh information on several Buddhist sites. An error concerning the religious history of the Matha Kuar shrine in Kushinagar has been rectified. Since 2002, the author has re-visited the Buddhist circuit seven times and travelled to many new Buddhist heritage sites, notably the Ananda Stupa in Hajipur; Pava near Kusinara; Lauriya Nandangarh in northern Bihar; Kosambi in Allahabad; Ramagama and Devadaha in Nepal; Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh; the Ajanta Caves in Ajanta; and Diksha Bhumi in Nagpur, Maharashtra. A chance remark he heard about the Buddha’s alms bowl still existing in Afghanistan prompted the author to carry out a research of its whereabouts after the Buddha had donated it to the Licchavis before his Parinibbana. The result is a new article entitled ‘The Journey of the Buddha’s Alms Bowl’ in PART III, 5, page 153. Among the colour plates, I have included some rare Buddhist sites in Northern Pakistan. Although the light of Dhamma no longer shines in that country, yet it possesses some of the most beautiful Buddhist relics from its glorious past. Sadly, many of them were destroyed by the Talibans who overran the Swat Valley in 2007 e.g. Jehanabad Buddha carved on rock and Gandharan sculptures in Swat Museum.
The idea of a pilgrimage originated from the Buddha twenty-five centuries ago! Before he passed into Mahaparinibbana, the Buddha advised pious disciples to visit four holy places the sight of which will arouse faith and religious urgency after He was gone, namely: Lumbini, Buddhagaya, Sarnath and Kusinara. The pious disciple should visit these places and look upon them with feelings of reverence, reflecting on the particular event of the Buddha’s life connected with each place. Since the Mahaparinibbana of the Buddha, these four shrines of Buddhism have become the focal points for pious disciples to rally around and seek inspiration. By the time of King Asoka, four more places, namely: Savatthi, Sankasia, Rajagaha and Vesali, that were closely associated with the Buddha and scenes of His principal miracles, were added to the pilgrimage itinerary. Together, they make the Eight Great Places of Pilgrimage.
CONTENTS / in PDF
Preface to New Edition 2009 iv
Acknowledgements vii
About the Author ix
PART I: Significance, History, People / in PDF
1. Mental Aspects of a Pilgrimage 2
1.1 Act of Faith and Devotion 2
1.2 Development of Perfections (Paramis) 3
1.3 Taking the Eight Precepts during Pilgrimage 3
1.4 Buddhist Fellowship 4
1.5 Arousing Religious Urgency during Pilgrimage 5
2. Eight Great Places of Pilgrimage 6
2.1 Mental Attitude when Approaching the Holy Shrines 7
3. Famous Pilgrims of the Past 8
4. Record of the Buddhist Country by Fa Hsien 10
5. Record of the Western World by Hsüan Tsang 15
6. Decline and Downfall of Buddhism in India 25
7. Revival of Buddhism in India 32
7.1 A New Dawn for Buddhism in India 32
7.2 The Pioneers of Buddhist Revival in India 33
8. Sayadaw U Chandramani of Kushinagar, Hero of the Sasana 39
8.1 The Early Years 39
8.2 Shin Chandra Comes to the Rescue of Ven. Mahawira 41
8.3 Scriptural Training and Higher Ordination in Burma 42
8.4 Passing Away of Venerable Mahawira 43
8.5 Establishing a Monastery in Sarnath 43
8.6 Confirming Kushinagar as Site of Mahaparinibbana 44
8.7 Acquisition of land to support Sasana Growth 44
8.8 Decision of Indian High Court 47
8.9 Facing Problem even with a Puja Ceremony 49
8.10 No Drinking from a Well Belonging to A Low Caste 50
8.11 Opening of Free Schools and College 50
8.12 Sayadaw U Chandramani becomes an Indian Citizen 52
8.13 Revival of the Buddha Sasana in Nepal 53
8.14 Ordination of Nepalese Bhikkhus 54
8.15 Passing Away of Sayadaw U Chandramani 56
9. The Life of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar 58
9.1 Babasaheb’s Education 58
9.2 The Fight against Untouchabilty 60
9.3 Babasaheb’s Clash with Gandhi 61
9.4 Babasaheb’s Spiritual Quest 63
9.5 Twenty-Two Vows Administered to Buddhist Converts 64
9.6 Myth of Caste System Shattered by Babasaheb 66
9.7 Atrocities against the Untouchables (Dalits) 68
9.8 Babasaheb Traces the Origin of Untouchability 69
9.9 Branding Buddhists as Outcastes by the Brahmins 70
9.10 Why Dalits Convert to Buddhism 71
9.11 Greet Followers of Dr. Ambedkar with “Jai Bhim” 72
10. Notes to Part I 73
PART II: Four Holy Places of Pilgrimage / in PDF
1. Lumbini, Birthplace of the Buddha 79
1.1 How to reach there 79
1.2 Religious Significance 79
1.3 Historical Background 79
1.4 Objects of Interest 81
1.5 Kapilavatthu, Kingdom of the Sakyas 83
1.6 Ramagama and Devadaha, Kingdom of the Koliyas 88
2. Bodhgaya, Place of the Buddha’s Enlightenment 91
2.1 How to reach there 91
2.2 Religious Significance 91
2.3 Historical Background 92
2.4 Anagarika Dharmapala and the Maha Bodhi Society 93
2.5 Objects of Interest 95
3. Sarnath, Place of the Buddha’s First Sermon 103
3.1 How to reach there 103
3.2 Religious Significance 103
3.3 Historical Background 104
3.4 Objects of Interest 106
4. Kusinara, Place of the Buddha’s Passing Away 112
4.1 How to reach there 112
4.2 Religious Significance 112
4.3 Historical Background 113
4.5 Objects of Interest 116
PART III: Four Places of Principal Miracles / in PDF
1. Savatthi, Place of the Twin Miracle 122
1.1 How to reach there 122
1.2 Religious Significance 122
1.3 Historical Background 123
1.4 Objects of Interest 125
2. Sankasia, Place of the Descent from Heaven 129
2.1 How to reach there 129
2.2 Religious Significance 129
2.3 Historical Background 129
2.4 The Pristine Environment of Sankasia 130
2.5 Objects of Interest 131
2.6 Buddhist Population around Sankasia 133
3. Rajgir, Place of Taming of the Drunken Elephant Nalagiri 135
3.1 How to reach there 135
3.2 Religious Significance 135
3.3 Historical Background 136
3.4 Objects of Interest 137
3.5 Ruins of Nalanda Mahavihara 141
4. Vesali, Place where Monkeys Offered Honey to the Buddha 142
4.1 How to reach there 142
4.2 Religious Significance 142
4.3 Historical Background 143
4.4 Objects of Interest in Vaishali 145
4.5 Pataliputta, Venue of the Third Council 148
5. Journey of the Buddha’s Alms Bowl 153
5.1 The Peshawar and the Kashgar Bowl 153
5.2 The Kandahar Bowl 156
5.3 The Ceylon Bowl 157
5.4 Kublai Khan and the Chinese Bowl 158
PART IV: Notable Shrines along the Pilgrimage Route / in PDF
1. The Evolution of the Stupa as an Object of Veneration 162
1.1 Objects of Reverence in Buddhism 162
1.2 Devotion in Buddhism 162
1.3 The Rise of the Stupa after the Buddha’s Parinibbana 165
1.4 Four Types of Stupas 166
2. Pava, where the Buddha had his Last Meal 168
2.1 How to reach there 168
2.2 Religious Significance 168
2.3 Miracle of the Clearing of the Waters 169
2.4 Stupa of the Mallas 169
3. Kesariya, site of the World’s Tallest Stupa 170
3.1 How to reach there 170
3.2 Historical Background 170
3.3 Religious Significance 170
3.4 Objects of Interest 172
4. Lauriya Nandangarh, site of Asokan Pillar and Stupa 173
4.1 How to reach there 173
4.2 Asokan Pillar with Lion Capital 173
4.3 Nandangarh Stupa 174
5. Ananda Stupa at Ramchaura in Hajipur 175
5.1 How to reach there 175
5.2 Religious Significance 175
6. Kosambi, site of a Quarrel among the Sangha
6.1 How to reach there 177
6.2 Religious Significance 177
6.3 Historical Background 178
6.4 Allahabad Museum 179
7. Delhi Asoka Rock Edict 180
7.1 Delhi during the Buddha’s Time 181
8. The Great Stupa of Sanchi 182
8.1 How to reach there 182
8.2 Historical Background 182
8.3 Objects of Interest 183
PART V: Organizing a Buddhist Pilgrimage to India / in PDF
1. Travelling to the Pilgrimages Places in India 187
1.1 Minimum Time Required 187
1.2 Travelling by Air Conditioned Coach 187
1.3 Best Time to Travel in India 188
2. Performing Dana or Offerings to the Sangha 189
3. Information and Tips on Travel in India 190
3.1 Travel Visas 190
3.2 Insurance and Expenses 190
3.3 Health Precautions 190
3.4 Things to bring along 191
3.5 Donations to Charity 191
4. Distances between the Pilgrimage Places 192
5. Map showing Locations of the Pilgrimage Places 193
6. Pilgrimage Groups and Itinerary from 1991-2008 194
7. Bibliography 205
8. Rejoicing and Sharing of Merits 208
Map / Route taken by Hsüan Tsang in the Si-yü-ki (AD 629-645) / in PDF
Also See:
“An Introductory Course in Early Buddhism” - by Bro. Chan Khoon San
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