BUDDHIST HOLY PLACES 2
(Authored by Tee Chee Seng. Original site at: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/9449/holysite.htm )

Rajgir (Rajagaha)
- Capital of ancient Magadha  -



Veluvana Ramaya (Bamboo Grove)
Vulture's Peak (Gridhrakuta Hill)
The ruling King was King Seniya Bimbisara who presented the Bamboo-groove to the Buddha when the Buddha returned to preach the Dhamma to the king as promised before He attained His enlightenment.
.		 Atop of this hill there are 2 natural caves. 
The Buddha spent 5 rainy seasons on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 17th and 20th years in Rajagaha ( Veluvana and Vulture Peak ).
 

Sravasthi (Savatthi)
- The ancient Kingdom of Kosala -


Jetavana Monastery (Jeta's Grove)
-presented by Anathapindika-
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Jetavana Monastery
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 


Ananda Bodhi Tree
.( picture taken from this site http://www.flickr.com/photos/marc-p-1970/3255620206/in/photostream/ )
Pubbarama Monastery
-erected by Visakha-
(picture taken from this site http://what-buddha-said.net/library/DPPN/pu/pubbarama.htm
Here the Buddha spent 25 rainy retreats ( vassa ) out of 45.
Majority of the Buddha's sermons were delivered here.
65/150 Majjhima Nikaya; 75% of Samyutta and Anguttara Nikaya

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Vaishali (Vesali)
- Capital of the Licchavis -
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Kolhua Buddha Stupa
It is here that the Buddha announced His approaching to Nibbana.

Ambavana, the Manggo Grove
- donated by Ambapali, the Chief Courtesan -
Asoka Pillar to mark the event of the announcement.
The Buddha spent 2 rainy retreats here (5th and the last-45th).
The formation of the Bhikkhunis Sangha (Order of the Nun) was established here.

100 years after the Buddha Maha-pari-nibbana, the 2nd Buddhist Council was held here. The first schism in the Sangha occured here after the Council presided by Ven. Sabbakami declared the conduct of the Vajjian monks were unlawful.
The Vajjian monks begin the school of Mahasanghikas.

 Kaushambi (Kosambi)

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Ghositarama Monastery
The Buddha spent His 6th and 9th rainy season retreat here.
The Buddha also performed the Twin Wonder to subdue the pride of His followers here at Mankula Hill.

Nalanda
- The Great Buddhist University -

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The Ruins of Nalanda

The importance of this place for Buddhist began with the establishment of the Nalanda Buddhist University (one of the oldest university in the world) about 5th century B.C. ago.  It became world famous on account of its many brilliant professors and high standard of education. There were a total of 9 million books with 2 thousand teachers and 10 thousand students studying there.

It was destroyed by invaders at about 12th century.
 

Sanchi
- Establish by Asoka as a centre of Buddhism -



The Great Thupa (stupa)
The ruins pillars
King Asoka contructed a stupa here because of the happy association with Vidisa, the birth place of Devi, his consort. In the bas-reliefs on the gateway, there were scenes which can be divided into five groups: 
1. scenes from the life of the Buddha such as the 4 main events 
    (birth, enlightenment, first sermon, maha-pari-nibbana) and 
    another 25 events such as Maya's dream, 4 sights, ...; 
2. 5 Jatakas representatives; 
3. historical events such as the division of the Buddha's relics;
4. the symbolic representations of the 6 Manushi (previous) 
    Buddhas and the future Buddha; and 
5. other miscellaneous scenes and decorations.

May we continue to track the Path of our Master - the Buddha
both His Teachings and the actual paths He left in this physical world.

 
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