Discover lumbini
“I am of all the creatures to cross the riddle of the ocean of existence. I have come to the world to sow the Path of Emancipation. This is my last birth and hereafter I will not be born again.” Lord Gautama the Buddha.
Prince Siddhartha Gautam made this declaration in Lumbini more than 2,600 years ago. Thirty-five years later he became famous as Buddha, the enlightened one. Lumbini, the birthplace of thief restage became a pilgrimage site for all Buddhists and peace seekers of the world. The Buddha himself proclaimed Lumbini as one of the foremost pilgrimage sites among the famous Chaturmahasthan (the four great places of birth, enlightenment, sermon and mahaparinirvana).
introduction
Nepal occupies a unique position in Bhuddhism’s history of being birthplace of its founder. Lord Buddha was born in a Lumbini grove about 15 miles from his father’s state of Kapilvastu. In the early centuries Buddhism of Nepal most likely developed along the limits of North India. It was when Muslims invaded Bihar and Bengal in the late twelfth century that many Buddhist monks and scholars took refuge in Nepal, bringing with them a large part of Buddhist art and literature. In due course of time, Buddhism became one of the main religions among the people of Nepal.
The birth and Youth of the Lord Buddha
Siddhartha Gautam as born as a prince in 623 B.C in the erstwhile Shakya Kingdom of Kapilvastu, a district in west Nepal. According to legends he was conceived when his mother Queen Mayadevi dreamed that a white elephant had entered her body. On fool moon day of Baisakh, Mayadevi while going to her maternal home in Devadaha passed through Lumbini where she bathed in the pond of Sakya Puskarini and soon after gave birth to a son. It is said that the newborn stood up, strode seven paces, and declared that this was his last bright and that he was destined for enlightment.
Seven days after Siddhartha’s birth, his mother Mayadevi died. Soon after his father Suddhodhan married Mayadev’s sister, Prajapati, who brought up the boy. A royal priest had prophesied at the time of Siddhartha’s birth that he would eight become a wandering ascetic or would become a world-ruling emperor. Aware of the prophecy and afraid that Siddhartha may become an ascetic Suddhodhan tried his best to prevent his son from leaving the palace tying him down to sensual pleasures. When Siddhartha came of age he was married to Yasodhara and soon after a son was born to the couple, whom they named Rahul.
However, Siddhartha had yet to see all aspects of existence. During one of Prince Siddhartha’s first trips outside the palace he saw decrepit old man. On the second ride, he saw a sick man on the third trip, he saw a dead body. The sights of human suffering persuaded Siddhartha to contemplate the misery of life until one fine night when the 29 year old Prince Siddhartha mounted on his horse and rode out of his sleeping city to renounce the world in search of truth.
It was going to be years before he could find what he sought. On a full moon night of Baisakh, beneath a Pipal tree in Gaya, Siddhartha gained enlightment and he became the Buddha. He gave his first sermon in Sarnath and at the age of 80, he passed away into the final enlightment ‘Parinirvana’ in Kushinagar.
The Ashok Pillar, which signifies Lumbini as the birth place of Lord Buddha, is another attraction in Lumbini.
Lumbini
Lumbini – a place in the South-Western Terai of Nepal, evokes a kind of holy sentiment to the millions of Buddhists all over the world as do the Jerusalem to Christians and Mecca to Muslims. Lumbini is the place where the Lord Gautama the Buddha the apostle of peace and the light of Asia was born in 623 B. C., Located in the flat plains of south-Western Nepal and the foothills of Churia range, Lumbini and its surrounding area is endowed with a rich natural setting of domesticable fauna and favourable agricultural environ. Historically, the region is an exquisite treasure-trove of ancient ruin and antiquities, dating back to pre-Christian era. The site, described as a beautiful garden in the Buddha’s time still retain its legendary charm and beauty. To the mere 12 miles north of Lumbini lies the dense and picturesque sal-grove.
For centuries, Buddhists all over the world, knew that Lumbini where the Lord was born is somewhere around. The descriptions of famous Chinese pilgrims (of ancient times) Huian Tsang and Faeihan indicated to this area-saying ‘Lumbini-where the lord was born is a piece of heaven on earth and one could see the snowy mountains amidst a splendid garden-embedded with stupas and monasteries!
kapilvastu
located some 27 kilometers west of Lumbini lies the ruins of the historic town of Kapilvastu, which is believed to the capital of Shakya Kingdom where Lord Buddha was brought up till he was 13. Kapilvastu has been identified with Tilaurakot by archaeologist. There are ruins and mounds of old stupas and monasteries made of kiln burnt bricks and clay mortar. The remains are surrounded by a moat and the wall of the city is made of bricks. A museum at Kapilvastu showcases everyday materials like ancient coins, terracotta utensils, metallic weapons and ornaments.
A evening visit to the Mayadevi temple which is built on the site where the Buddha was born is a refreshing way to begin your day. Continue visiting the various other monasteries and see the subtle differences in the way that various communities practice this great religion.
arorakot
About 10 kilometers northwest of Taulihawa is a rectangular fortified area popularly known as Arorakot, which is believed to be the natal town of Kanakmuni Buddha. There are remains of ancient moat and the fortification made of bricks. A brick lined well is seen to the south and an elevated mound is toward the northwest corner.
Gotihawa
About 5 kilometers southwest of Taulihawa, there is a village called Gotihawa where an Ashokan pillar stands. The upper portion of the pillar is broke and lost. The lower portion is 3.5 meters high and is still intact. A huge stupa is seen to the north east of the pillar.
more sites
Kudan:
About 2 kilometers northwest of Taulihawa on a roadside is the dilapidated village of Kudan.
Niglihawa:
About 8 kilometers northwest of Taulihawa is another site of archaeological importance. The place has a quadrangular pond surrounded by bushes locally known as Niglisagar. On the western bank of the pond there are two broken pieces of the Ashokan pillar, the longer one lying flat on the ground while the shorter ones stand erect. The pillar bears two peacocks on the top.
Sagarhawa:
About 12 kilometers north of Taulihawa is the forest of Sagarhawa. In the midst of the forest here is a huge rectangular pond, locally known as Lumbusagar or a long pond.
Devdaha:
Situated at about 35 kilometers northeast of Lumbini, Devdaha is believed to be the maternal home of Prince Siddharha. Siddhartha’s wife Princess Yasodhara was also from Devdaha.