Dhamma Yatra: In the footsteps of Buddha is a pilgrimage tour program for Monks, Upasakas and Upasikas of Sadhanarama Bana Vihara from 19-11-2019 to 03-12-2019 organized by Sadhanarama Foundation where we trace the footsteps of Buddha by paying homage at the important places associated with Lord Buddha’s life. This tour covers Varanasi (Sarnath), Bodhgaya, Patna (Nalanda, Rajgriha), Kushinagar, Lumbini, Sravasti among the primary Buddhist pilgrimage destinations.
Dhamma Yatra: In the Footsteps of the Buddha Group
Bodh Gaya, Bihar
Bodh Gaya, the most Sacred Buddhist Pilgrimage Center in the world, where the Lord Buddha attained ultimate enlightenment under the Bodhi tree - more than 2500 years back. Owing to the cultural and archaeological significance, UNESCO declared the Mahabodhi Temple Complex as a 'World Heritage Site' in 2002.
In this heart of the Land of Enlightenment, behind the 80 Ft. Buddha Statue road leads to Buddhagaya Bana Vihara, the center of Bana Vihara at Buddhagaya, which plays a major role particularly to serve the thousands of pilgrims who visit Buddhgaya from India and abroad by helping them to perform their spiritual activities. It also performs various spiritual and educational activities throughout the year. We welcome you to join our Dhamma activities at Buddhagaya Bana Vihara & Meditation center.
The Monks, Upasakas and Upasikas offered Sangha Dana, Attha Parikkhara Dana and meditated for world peace under the Holy Bodhi Tree, Mahabodhi Mahavihara. Ven. Brahma Dut Bhikkhu of Buddhagaya Bana Vihara explained the History of the Mahabodhi Mahavihara and guided the group.
Sarnath, Varanasi, Uttar Pardesh
One of the holiest Buddhist sites in the world, Sarnath is famous as the place where Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon.
After spending seven weeks in Bodhgaya following his Enlightenment, the Buddha was undecided about teaching the Dhamma to others as he realized that it was profound and hard to discover, and others would not understand him. The deity Brahma Sahampati who became aware of the Buddha’s thoughts, pleaded with him to teach the Dhamma otherwise the world would be lost.
Traveling on foot, he arrived at Deer Park or Isipatana in modern day Sarnath on the full-moon day of Asalha, exactly two months after Wesak. The Buddha delivered the historic First Sermon, the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta or the Discourse on Turning the Wheel of Dhamma to the First Five Ascetics.
National Museum, New Delhi
Every year, Buddhist pilgrims from across the world visits the National Museum in New Delhi to pay obeisance to the 20 bone fragments of Lord Buddha. The 20 bone fragments that are on display at the National Museum are part of the 22 bone fragments that were discovered by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in the 1970s in two separate caskets made of soapstone. The other two pieces of these bone fragments are on display at the National Museum in Kolkata.
These bone fragments which are considered as one of the most sacred relics of Buddhism are currently placed in a pavilion built in gold at the National Museum. The golden pavilion was presented as a gift to the museum by the royal Thai government in 1997.
Sravasti (Savatthi), Uttar Pradesh
The Buddha had spent most of his monastic life in Sravasti. Gautama Buddha first visited Shravasti on the invitation of Anathapindika. It was here that the millionaire Sudatta, popularly known as Anathapindika or “Feeder of the Poor”, donated the famous Jetavana or Jeta’s Grove to the Buddha after he had bought it at an exorbitant price, of “as many gold coins as would cover it”. Since the Buddha spent a major part of his missionary life in Sravasti, the majority of sermons in the scriptures were delivered while staying in Jetavana. Another important monastery at Sravasti was the Pubbarama, donated by Lady Visakha, chief benefactress of the Buddha.
Around 844 suttas were preached in the monastery of Jetavana, 23 suttas were preached in the monastery of Pubbarama and remaining 4 suttas were preached in the suburbs of Shravasti. Thus, Shravasti became the place where the largest amounts of suttas, instruction were taught by Lord Buddha.
Lumbini, Nepal
In the Buddha's time, Lumbini was a beautiful garden full of green and shady Sal trees (Shorea). The garden and its tranquil environs were owned by both the ShaAsoka pillarkyas and Kolias clans. King Suddhodana, father of Gautama Buddha was of the Shakya dynasty belonging to the Kshatriya or the warrior caste. Maya Devi, his mother, gave birth to the child on her way to her parent's home in Devadaha while taking rest in Lumbini under a sal tree in the month of May in the year 642 B.C. The beauty of Lumbini is described in Pali and Sanskrit literature. Maya Devi it is said was spellbound to see the natural grandeur of Lumbini. While she was standing, she felt labor pains and catching hold of a drooping branch of a Sal tree, the baby, the future Buddha, was born.
Kusinagar, Uttar Pradesh
Kushinagar, also known as Kusinara, is one of the four main pilgrimage sites marking Buddha’s life. It is this place where Lord Buddha attained Mahaparinibbana.
The Dhamma Yatra: In the Footsteps of the Buddha Pilgrimage tour of the Four Holy sites of Buddhism, the Monks and Lay people had a deep impact on personal development as well as spiritual development and with a feeling of inspiration.
We are very thankful and grateful to Arunachal Bana Bhikkhu Sangha, Upasaka Subhir Gandhi Chakma, Upasakas & Upasikas for the generous support.
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