In search of the Buddha

Thalatha Nandanie

The Buddha once said that devotees should visit and worship four main places which would create Dhamma Sanvega. These places are the birthplace of Prince Siddhartha, the place where the Buddha attained enlightenment, the place where he delivered the first sermon Dhammacakka Pavaththana Sutta and the place where he attained Parinibbana.

As a Buddhist I had a dream of visiting these places. But I got the chance to visit and worship these places only last year. Buddhists must try to control and discipline their minds and follow the Noble Eight-fold Path and attain Nibbana. But they should visit these places in Dambadiva to get Buddhist happiness.

Upon reaching Varanasi airport we got into a bus and went to Isipathana in Varanasi. We worshipped Sammuka Chethiya, where the Buddha met the five hermits and Dharmarajika Chethiya where the first sermon was delivered.

We visited Mulagandha Kuti Temple that was built in the place where the Buddha spent his first period of vassana. We worshipped that temple and Dhammika Chethiya at Isipathana Migadaya where the Buddha preached Anattalakkhana Sutta to the five monks.

We could see a few deer living at Migadaya. Nava Mula Gandha Kuti temple had been built by Anagarika Dharmapala in 1926. After that we visited the museum at Varanasi where most of buddhist relics and Ashoka Kuluna with the figures of four lions, are kept.

In the evening we went to Maha Bodhi temple and participated in the chanting of Dhamma Chakka Pawaththana Sutra by Bhikkus and lay devotees.

Following day we proceeded to Buddhagaya in the state of Bihar. We offered milk-rice and lotus, Jasmine flowers at Vajrasana inside the Buddhagaya temple.

We observed Ata-sil under the shade of Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi. We listened to Dhamma desana and meditated. The Bo leaves fluttering in the breeze gave a soothing noise that made us calm.

There were pilgrims of Asian countries such as Thailand, Mianmar, Tibet, Japan, China and Bhutan paying veneration at Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi. A few Indian and European devotees were also there. Near the Maha Bodhi there were many Tibetan Lama Monks chanting suttas.

Next we visited the cave where Hermit Siddhartha spent six years performing Aththa Kilamathanu yoga. This cave was situated at Durgeshwari hill and the path is very steep and difficult to climb. Now some Indians provide 'Dhola' facilities to pilgrims, charging Indian Rs. 200.

These poor Indians beg for soaps, money etc harassing pilgrims.

Near the cave there is a Tibet temple. Inside the cave there is a statue of Hermit Siddhartha. We visited the place where Sujatha had offered milk-rice and the place where Soththiya Brahmana had offered Kusa-thana to the hermit Siddhartha, in Senanigama, by the river Neranjana.

We also visited the places where the Buddha spent the seven weeks after attaining enlightenment.

Then we proceeded to Rajagaha Nuwara, we saw the stone where the carts of Vidudhabha stuck. Also we visited the ruins of the jail of king Bhimbisara.

We climbed Gijjakuta and worshipped the statue of the Buddha. We saw the stone pushed by Devadaththa and the stone which prevented it's fall thus saving the Buddha.

We visited Sapthaparni cave where first sangayana was held.

In Kapilawasthu we visited the ruins of the palace of king Suddhodhana, and the three palaces of Prince Siddhartha, named Ramya, Suramya and Subha.

We saw the remains of Nalanda, ancient Buddhist university which was later destroyed by Mogal kings.

We proceeded to Kusinara and we visited Parinibbana temple there. Inside the temple a reclining statue of the Buddha can be seen. Devotees offered flowers and covered the statue with robes.

We recited the Buddha's virtues and contemplated on impermanence. Near this temple there is a pond, where the Buddha had quenched his thirst before attaining Parinibbana.

We proceeded on our journey to Lumbini grove where Prince Siddhartha was born. This Sal Uyana is situated in Nepal, about 15 km away from the boarder with India. We went there by rickshaws.

In Lumbini grove a temple, encircling the sacred birth place has been built by Japanese Buddhists. Ashoka Kuluna, erected by King Dharmasoka stands outside the temple.

After that we proceeded to Jethavanaramaya at Shravasthi (Savath nuwara), where the Buddha had spend about twenty years, with his disciples. This garden about thirteen acres is maintained well by Indian Archaeological Department.

In Jethavanaya remains of Sugandakutiya, Rahulakutiya, Seevali kutiya, Puthigaththa Thissa Kutiya, Angulimala Kutiya and Dam Sabha Mandapaya can be seen. Anathapindika had built Jethavanaramaya after buying the land from Prince Jetha.

We observed eight precepts near the Ananda Bhodiya. We listened to Dhamma deshana and meditated reminiscing Budu guna. In the evening we lighted about 7,000 wax lamps in Jethavanaramaya and engaged in Sath Budu Vandanava. At this time we felt very happy and elated while thinking that we tread on the same ground that Budu Siri Pathul (sacred feet of Buddha) had touched. I think this is the feeling called Buddhalambana Preethiya.

Some devotees covered Ananda Bhodiya with robes, chanting gatha.

Sri Lankaramaya in front of Jethavana is inhabited by Sri Lankan Bhikkus. We held a Sangika dana at this temple.

In Savasthri we saw the ruins of the palace of Anatha pindika Situvaraya.

We proceeded to Sankassa pura, where Ashoka Kuluna with a figure of a baby elephant is situated. The ruins of Sankassa chetiya built by King Dharmashoka can be seen near that pillar. This is the place where the Buddha returned from Thavthisa Devlova after preaching Dhamma to Mathru Divya raja.

The journey in search of the places connected with the life of the Buddha has ended and we felt very happy. Our pilgrim team agreed that we must be grateful to Siri Devamiththa Dammapala thera and British archaeologist Sir Alexander Cunningham for their role in conservation of these religious places in Dhambadiva.