A delegation comprising a group of prominent monks from different provinces of Nepal visited various Buddhist sites located in India from 12th January to 17th January 2024. The visit was organized by IBC in coordination with Nepal Chapter of IBC, which has been formed recently. The “Buddhist Philosophy Promotion & Monastery Development Project” of the Government of Nepal was also involved in planning and coordinating this visit. A committee appointed by the Govt. of Nepal overseas this project with the Aim of carrying out various programs to propagate Buddha Dhamma.
The Buddhist Philosophy Excursion Tour Program started from Lumbini, the first of the four sacred heritageswherethe historical BuddhaShakyamuni was born. The team of 25 members headed to Lumbinion Friday 12th January, 2024 under the chairmanship of Ven. KhenpoGeshe Thupten Jikdol with 20 sangha members and 4 office employees from Kathmandu. After a 12-hour travel on road the team reached Lumbini wherethe Mahamaya Devi temple, the place of birth of Shakyamuni Buddha was observed and monlam prayers were performed.
Figure 1the sangha team in front of Maha Mayadevi temple in Lumbini
On the second day, the delegationreachedKushinagarvia the Bhairahawa-Sunauli border of India and Nepal wherethey were all well received by a representative of IBC. Before visiting the main temple where Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana, the delegates were able to meet and receive great insights from the Chief Abbot Ven. Gyaneshwar Mahasthivirof the temple. The meeting with the chief abbot was agreatinspiration to all the delegates who learnt about the Chief Abbot’s relentless dedication towards Dhamma activities. The delegates then visited Matha-Kuar shrine, where buddha had water for the last time followed by observing the excavated remains of Ramabhar Stupa where the final rites of Shakyamuni Buddha was conducted. Monlam prayers were offered by the sangha as well.
Figure 2 the team with Chief abbot Ven. Gyaneshwar Mahasthivir
Figure 3 monlam prayers inside the Mahaparinirvana temple
In Sarnath, the team visited the place where Buddha had turned the wheel of Dharma for the first time. After the monlam prayers were offered, besides the Dhamek Stupa the delegates visited MulagandhaKutiVihar, which houses the relic of Shakyamuni Buddha. The delegates were honored to have been welcomed by Chief Abbot Ven. SumitanandaThero who took them in a walk through the temple.
Figure 4 the sangha in front of the Dhamek stupa
Figure 5 the sangha performing Monlam in front at the Sarnath Stupa premise
Figure 6 the sangha with Chief abbot Ven. Sumitananda Thero
The team left Sarnathto reach Bodhgaya, where Buddha attained enlightenment. They were received by an IBC representative at the location. The morning after,the team visited the Mahabodhi Temple considered the holiest for Buddhist pilgrims all over the world.
The delegates were mesmerized by the prevailing atmosphere at the Temple site and in the surrounding area.The significance of the Temple can be felt in person by the visitors as it also serves as marker of the rich Buddhist culture, art and architect of the times.The delegates then performed Monlam(Prayers)inside the Mahabodhi temple.
Figure 7 the sangha bidding farewell to Mr. Amos Simon from IBC
Figure 8 the sangha members in front of the Mahabodhi temple, Bodhgaya
On the same day, the delegates were able to visit the Sujata Griha, of the generous girl who offered rice pudding to Siddhartha Gautama while he was in deep meditation. They then visited the temple where Shakyamuni had been offered the rice pudding followed by the place where he had been in deep meditation for six years.
Figure 9 the sangha in front of Sujata Griha Stupa
On the sixthday, the delegates visited Rajgir to see the Gridhkut Parvat/ “Vulture Peak” and also to observe the ruins of Nalanda. Gridhkut Parvat holds a major significance among Buddhists as it is the place where Buddha turned the wheel of dharma for the second time and taught the Heart Sutra, Prajnaparamita for the first time. The sangha payed their homage by reciting the heart sutra at the Vulture Peak.
Figure 10 the sangha in Gridhkut Parvat
Then the ruins of the Nalanda University, was visited by the team. Nalanda University which operated from 4th century CE to 12th century CE was the world’s first residential university and is associated with highly revered Buddhist masters like Nagarjuna, Dharmapala, Shantideva, Buddhapalita, Naropa and so forth. Shortly after attending the lunch hosted by the reinvented Nalanda University they visited the “Xuan Zang Memorial” where Associate Professor Dr. Arun Kumar Yadav gave them vital accounts on the importance of Xuan Zang and his travel log which aided the revival of not just Buddhist heritages but the whole history of India, Nepal and China.
Figure 11 the sangha at the ruins of Nalanda University
Figure 12 the sangha in front of the Xuan Zang memorial
In a conclusive note, the delegation expressed theirdeepest gratitude towards International Buddhist Confederationfor swiftly agreeing to their request. They thanked the employees who accompanied the delegates throughout their journey in India and IBC Nepal Chapter who helped bridge the gap between the two organizations operating at their respective levels. The delegates claimed that they are hopeful of future collaborations between International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) and Buddhist Philosophy Promotion and Monastery Development Committee which will further strengthen the shared goal of preserving, promoting and protecting Buddhist actions,culture and art of two nations which are linked with not just borders but with the heritage of Buddha.
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