Buddhism in India

Rapid fire Questions and Answers -2

2008-06-14T00:48:00.000-07:00

What is the First Noble Truth?
The first truth is that life is suffering i.e., life includes pain, getting old, disease, and ultimately death. We also endure psychological suffering like loneliness frustration, fear, embarrassment, disappointment and anger. This is an irrefutable fact that cannot be denied. It is realistic rather than pessimistic because pessimism is expecting things to be bad. lnstead, Buddhism explains how suffering can be avoided and how we can be truly happy.
What is the Second Noble Truth?
The second truth is that suffering is caused by craving and aversion. We will suffer if we expect other people to conform to our expectation, if we want others to like us, if we do not get something we want,etc. In other words, getting what you want does not guarantee happiness. Rather than constantly struggling to get what you want, try to modify your wanting. Wanting deprives us of contentment and happiness. A lifetime of wanting and craving and especially the craving to continue to exist, creates a powerful energy which causes the individual to be born. So craving leads to physical suffering because it causes us to be reborn.
What is the Third Noble Truth?
The third truth is that suffering can be overcome and happiness can be attained; that true happiness and contentment are possible. lf we give up useless craving and learn to live each day at a time (not dwelling in the past or the imagined future) then we can become happy and free. We then have more time and energy to help others. This is Nirvana.
What is the Fourth Noble Truth?
The fourth truth is that the Noble 8-fold Path is the path which leads to the end of suffering.
What is the Noble 8-Fold Path?
In summary, the Noble 8-fold Path is being moral (through what we say, do and our livelihood), focussing the mind on being fully aware of our thoughts and actions, and developing wisdom by understanding the Four Noble Truths and by developing compassion for others.
What are the 5 Precepts?
The moral code within Buddhism is the precepts, of which the main five are: not to take the life of anything living, not to take anything not freely given, to abstain from sexual misconduct and sensual overindulgence, to refrain from untrue speech, and to avoid intoxication, that is, losing mindfulness.
What is Karma?
Karma is the law that every cause has an effect, i.e., our actions have results. This simple law explains a number of things: inequality in the world, why some are born handicapped and some gifted, why some live only a short life. Karma underlines the importance of all individuals being responsible for their past and present actions. How can we test the karmic effect of our actions? The answer is summed up by looking at (1) the intention behind the action, (2) effects of the action on oneself, and (3) the effects on others.
What is Wisdom?
Buddhism teaches that wisdom should be developed with compassion. At one extreme, you could be a goodhearted fool and at the other extreme, you could attain knowledge without any emotion. Buddhism uses the middle path to develop both. The highest wisdom is seeing that in reality, all phenomena are incomplete, impermanent and do no constitute a fixed entity. True wisdom is not simply believing what we are told but instead experiencing and understanding truth and reality. Wisdom requires an open, objective, unbigoted mind. The Buddhist path requires courage, patience, flexibility and intelligence.
What is Compassion?
Compassion includes qualities of sharing, readiness to give comfort, sympathy, concern, caring. In Buddhism, we can really understand others, when we can really understand ourselves, through wisdom.
How do I Become a Buddhist?
Buddhist teachings can be understood and tested by anyone. Buddhism teaches that the solutions to our problems are within ourselves not outside. The Buddha asked all his followers not to take his word as true, but rather to test the teachings for themselves. ln this way, each person decides for themselves and takes responsibility for their own actions and understanding. This makes Buddhism less of a fixed package of beliefs which is to be accepted in its entirety, and more of a teaching which each person learns and uses in their own way.

Rapid Fire Questions and Answers -1

2008-06-14T00:42:00.000-07:00

What is Buddhism?
Buddhism is a religion to about 300 million people around the world. The word comes from 'budhi', 'to awaken'. It has its origins about 2,500 years ago when Siddhartha Gotama, known as the Buddha, was himself awakened (enlightened) at the age of 35.
Is Buddhism a Religion?
To many, Buddhism goes beyond religion and is more of a philosophy or 'way of life'. It is a philosophy because philosophy 'means love of wisdom' and the Buddhist path can be summed up as:
(1) to lead a moral life,(2) to be mindful and aware of thoughts and actions, and(3) to develop wisdom and understanding.
How Can Buddhism Help Me?
Buddhism explains a purpose to life, it explains apparent injustice and inequality around the world, and it provides a code of practice or way of life that leads to true happiness.
Why is Buddhism Becoming Popular?
Buddhism is becoming popular in western countries for a number of reasons, The first good reason is Buddhism has answers to many of the problems in modern materialistic societies. It also includes (for those who are interested) a deep understanding of the human mind (and natural therapies) which prominent psychologists around the world are now discovering to be both very advanced and effective.
Who Was the Buddha?
Siddhartha Gotama was born into a royal family in Lumbini, now located in Nepal, in 563 BC. At 29, he realised that wealth and luxury did not guarantee happiness, so he explored the different teachings religions and philosophies of the day, to find the key to human happiness. After six years of study and meditation he finally found 'the middle path' and was enlightened. After enlightenment, the Buddha spent the rest of his life teaching the principles of Buddhism — called the Dhamma, or Truth — until his death at the age of 80.
Was the Buddha a God?
He was not, nor did he claim to be. He was a man who taught a path to enlightenment from his own experience.
Do Buddhists Worship Idols?
Buddhists sometimes pay respect to images of the Buddha, not in worship, nor to ask for favours. A statue of the Buddha with hands rested gently in its lap and a compassionate smile reminds us to strive to develop peace and love within ourselves. Bowing to the statue is an expression of gratitude for the teaching. Why are so Many Buddhist Countries Poor?
One of the Buddhist teachings is that wealth does not guarantee happiness and also wealth is impermanent. The people of every country suffer whether rich or poor, but those who understand Buddhist teachings can find true happiness.
Are There Different Types of Buddhism?
There are many different types of Buddhism, because the emphasis changes from country to country due to customs and culture. What does not vary is the essence of the teaching — the Dhamma or truth.
Are Other Religions Wrong?
Buddhism is also a belief system which is tolerant of all other beliefs or religions. Buddhism agrees with the moral teachings of other religions but Buddhism goes further by providing a long term purpose within our existence, through wisdom and true understanding. Real Buddhism is very tolerant and not concerned with labels like 'Christian', 'Moslem', 'Hindu' or 'Buddhist'; that is why there have never been any wars fought in the name of Buddhism. That is why Buddhists do not preach and try to convert, only explain if an explanation is sought.
Is Buddhism Scientific?
Science is knowledge which can be made into a system, which depends upon seeing and testing facts and stating general natural laws. The core of Buddhism fit into this definition, because the Four Noble truths (see below) can be tested and proven by anyone in fact the Buddha himself asked his followers to test the teaching rather than accept his word as true. Buddhism depends more on understanding than faith.
What did the Buddha Teach?
The Buddha taught many things, but the basic concepts in Buddhism can be summed up by the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path.

The 3 important concepts

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Three important concepts in understanding Buddhism are karma, Samsara,
and Nirvana.
Karma refers to the law of cause and effect in a person's life, reaping
what one has sown. Buddhists believe that every person must go through
a process of birth and rebirth until he reaches the state of nirvana in
which he breaks this cycle. According to the law of karma, "You are
what you are and do what you do, as a result of what you were and did
in a previous incarnation, which in turn was the inevitable outcome of
what you were and did in still earlier incarnations."(4) For a
Buddhist, what one will be in the next life depends on one's actions in
this present life. Buddha believed, unlike Hinduism, that a person can
break the rebirth cycle no matter what class he is born into.
The second key concept to understand is the law of Samsara or
Transmigration. This is one of the most perplexing and difficult
concepts in Buddhism to understand. The law of Samsara holds that
everything is in a birth and rebirth cycle. Buddha taught that people
do not have individual souls. The existence of an individual self or
ego is an illusion. There is no eternal substance of a person which
goes through the rebirth cycle. What is it then that goes through the
cycle if not the individual soul? What goes through the rebirth cycle
is only a set of feelings, impressions, present moments, and the karma
that is passed on. "In other words, as one process leads to another,
... so one's human personality in one existence is the direct cause of
the type of individuality which appears in the next."(5) The new
individual in the next life will not be exactly the same person, but
there will be several similarities. Just how close in identity they
will be, Buddha did not define.
The third key concept is Nirvana. The term means "the blowing out" of
existence. Nirvana is very different from the Christian concept of
heaven. Nirvana is not a place like heaven but rather a state of being.
What exactly it is, Buddha never really articulated.
Nirvana is an eternal state of being. It is the state in which the law
of karma, and the rebirth cycle come to an end. It is the end of
suffering, a state where there are no desires and the individual
consciousness comes to an end. Although to our Western minds this may
sound like annihilation, Buddhists would object to such a notion.
Gautama never gave an exact description of Nirvana, but his closest
reply was this. "There is disciples, a condition, where there is
neither earth nor water, neither air nor light, neither limitless
space, nor limitless time, neither any kind of being, neither ideation
nor non-ideation, neither this world nor that world. There is neither
arising nor passing-away, nor dying, neither cause nor effect, neither
change nor standstill."(6) Although no Buddhist really understands the
condition of Nirvana, it is their eternal hope.

God and the Buddhism

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It may have occurred to the reader that in our discussion thus far no
mention has been made of God or an eternal deity. It is clear that
Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, did not claim to be divine. He
claimed to be the one to point the way to Nirvana, but it was up to
each individual to find his own way there.
The concept of a personal God does not fit into the Buddhist system of
religion. Today there are many sects of Buddhism. Many differ in their
concept of the divine and of Buddha. In general, Buddhists are
pantheistic in their view of God. Many view God as an impersonal force
which is made up of all living things and holds the universe together.
Here are what some of the most prominent of scholars say of the
Buddhist view of God. Dr. John Noss states, "there is no sovereign
Person in the heavens holding all together in unity, there is only the
ultimate impersonal unity of being itself, whose peace enfolds the
individual self when it ceases to call itself 'I' and dissolves in the
featureless purity of Nirvana, as a drop of spray is merged in its
mother sea."(7)
Here is what the late Dr. Suzuki, one of the greatest teachers of Zen
Buddhism, says about his concept of God: "If God after making the world
puts Himself outside it, He is no longer God. If He separates Himself
from the world or wants to separate Himself, He is not God. The world
is not the world when it is separated from God. God must be in the
world and the world in God."(8)
Since Buddhism in general does not believe in a personal God or divine
being, it does not have worship, praying, or praising of a divine
being. It offers no form of redemption, forgiveness, heavenly hope, or
final judgment. Buddhism is, therefore, more of a moral philosophy, an
ethical way of life.
Professor Kraemer describes the Buddhist system as "a non-theistic
ethical discipline, a system of self training, anthropocentric,
stressing ethics and mind-culture to the exclusion of theology."(9)
Since Gautama's death, many sects have developed within Buddhism. Many
of these sects differ in many fundamental ways and comparing them to
one another is like comparing two separate religions. Many sects have
developed their own unique concept of God. Some are pantheistic in
their view of God. Others are atheistic. Still others have developed a
polytheistic system of gods. Some have combined pantheism and
polytheism. Several sects have elevated Gautama (or Buddha) to the
level of a savior or divine being although it is clear he never claimed
to be a deity. Other sects have combined some of the doctrines of God
from other religions with Buddhism.
Since Buddha never emphasized his concept of the divine, Buddhism is
left with some life's deepest questions unanswered, questions such as
the origin of the universe and the purpose of man's existence.

Pictures of Different Buddha Statues

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Training In Mind

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The way of training your mind given by Lord Buddha

Training the Mind
Do not rely upon other conditions.
We do not need to wait for better conditions before starting to practise, because we can transform any circumstances, whether good or bad, into the path to liberation and enlightenment.
In the practice of training the mind, we rely upon our own inner strength rather than upon external conditions. We do not need to wait for better conditions before starting to practise, because we can transform any circumstances, whether good or bad, into the path to liberation and enlightenment. If we wait until we find perfect conditions, we will never begin our study and practice of Dharma. Moreover, if we are preoccupied with creating perfect external conditions, we will never find the time to meditate because we will be too busy trying to fulfil our insatiable desires. For example, we may have a very agreeable partner, but because of our discontented mind still look around for someone else, or we may have a good car, but still want a bigger and more expensive model. Again, our present job may be very good, but out of discontent we still want a better one. If we pursue all our desires, there will be little or no time for Dharma practice.
“Since it would be a great tragedy to waste this rare opportunity, I must use it in a meaningful way.”
Apply the principal practice at this time.
At the moment we have a precious human life, but it is uncertain how long it will last. We should think, “Since it would be a great tragedy to waste this rare opportunity, I must use it in a meaningful way.” It is pointless to work just for material wealth. Even if we were to become very rich, we would still have to experience the sufferings of samsara. There are many wealthy people who have great problems and worries. We should think:
The greatest purpose of this life is to provide a means for attaining liberation and enlightenment. The only way to attain these is by practising Dharma. Among Dharma practices, the supreme practice is training the mind. Therefore, I must practise training the mind now.

Some Trivia about Buddha

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Did you know?
The name Siddhartha means "wish-fulfilled" or "one who has accomplished his goal". Gautam Buddha - The Originator of Buddhism
Be a part of the Buddhist festivals of India during your Buddhist trip to the country and feel the enthusiasm and spirituality blending together beautifully

The word 'Buddha' is a title and not a name in itself. It means 'one who is awake' (in the sense of having 'woken up to reality'). It was first given to a man who was born as Siddhartha Gautama in Lumbini, approximately 2,500 years ago. He did not claim to be a God and he has never been regarded as such by Buddhists. He was a human being who became Enlightened, understanding life in the deepest way possible.
Siddhartha was born into the royal family of a small kingdom, on the Indian-Nepalese border. According to the traditional story, he had a cloistered upbringing, but was jolted out of complacency when he encountered the harsh realities of life, such as old age, sickness and death.
He left His home in search of the real meaning of life. He practiced meditation under various teachers and then took to asceticism. The rigorous asceticism that He followed virtually led Him to the verge of death. But, true understanding seemed as far away to Him as ever and eventually, He abandoned this path. He sat down beneath a pipal tree and vowed that "flesh may wither, blood may dry up, but I shall not rise from this spot until Enlightenment has been won". After forty days, the Buddha finally attained Enlightenment.
Buddhists believe that He attained a state of being that goes beyond anything else in the world. If normal experience is based on conditions - upbringing, psychology, opinions, perceptions, and so on - Enlightenment is Unconditioned. It was a state in which the Buddha gained insight into the deepest workings of life and therefore, into the cause of human suffering, the problem that had set Him on His spiritual quest in the first place.
During the remaining 45 years of His life, he traveled through much of northern India, teaching the way to Enlightenment to others. The teaching is known as the Buddha-dharma - 'the teaching of the Enlightened One', in the East. Traveling from place to place, the Buddha taught numerous disciples, who gained Enlightenment in their own right. They, in turn, taught others and in this way, an unbroken chain of teaching has continued, right down to the present day.
The Buddha was not God and neither did He make any claim to divinity. He was a human being who, through tremendous efforts, transformed Himself. Buddhists see him as an ideal and a guide, who can lead them to Enlightenment.

Have a another look at Maha Bodhi Temple.

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Maha Bodhi Tree

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Probably the most crowded place in Anuradhapura is the temple of the Sri Maha Bodhi. The Sri Maha Bodhi is the oldest known tree in the world. It has been planted and looked after continuously for the last 2300 years, even when Anuradhapura was under Tamil occupation. It was under a bodhi tree that Buddha attained enlightenment in 528BC. The Sri Maha Bodhi of Anuradhapura is grown from a cutting from this original Bodhi tree. This makes it the most sacred tree in Sri Lanka. Seedlings from this tree have been planted in temples throughout Sri Lanka and around the Buddhist world. It is forbidden for a Buddhist to cut or harm any part of the tree. Today a frame of iron crutches prop up the Sri Maha Bodhi, which nevertheless looks deceivingly young and rather unimpressive. Golden railings provided further protection, and visitors are strictly regulated. Still, the throng coming to view the tree was simply overwhelming. Every full moon of Poson, which is around May-June, a million worshippers come to celebrate around the tree in commemoration of the Enlightenment.

Buddha festivals celebrated in India.

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India is the land of colourful festivals. Throughout the year, there is one or the other festival being celebrated in the country. Some of these festivals are celebrated throughout the country while others are celebrated in specific states, regions or even small villages. These festivals bring alive the splendid culture of the country and see a whole lot of people coming out to participate in them.
Buddhist festivals of India are no exception to these. Being the land of the Buddha, India celebrates all those days as festivals that mark important days in the life of the Lord. Apart from this, there are also festival days that celebrates Buddha's teaching and spiritual community.
The Buddhist festivals in India are a joyful time for the Buddhist community. It is for them a time to dance and rejoice. You can be a part of this celebration if you plan your trip to the country around the date of these festivals. This section on Buddhist Festivals tries to introduce you to all these festivals. It gives you the details of the festivals, why and how they are celebrated and also the upcoming date of that festival.
So, come, be a part of these festivals in your coming vacations to India. You will not only have fun, but will also learn a lot about Buddhist religion on the whole.
Famous Buddhist Festivals of India
Buddha Jayanti / Purnima :

Buddha Jayanti or the Buddha Purnima celebrates the birth of Prince Siddharta on the full moon night in the month of Vaisakh (April/May). Years later, on the same day, Prince Siddharta attained enlightenment and beacme the Buddha. Finally, on the same day, he attained parinibbana. Thus, Buddha Purnima marks not just the birth but also the death of Lord Buddha.
Losar :

Losar, or the Tibetan New Year is celebrated with much gaiety in various parts of India. Buddhists dress up well, visit their relatives and offer worships in temples to seek blessings of various gods. Also, of special significance is the Chaam dances that are performed in the monasteries in India. The dances portray the victory of good over evil.
Hemis Fair :

Celebrated in the Hemis Monastery in Ladkah, J&K, the Hemis festival/fair is one of the most famous Buddhist events of the country that attracts tourists from both India and abroad in large numbers. The festival celebrates the birth of Indian sage, Guru Padmasambhava who was also responsible for spreading Buddhism in Tibet. The festival is celebrated for two days and has a portrait of "Dadmokarpo" or "Rygyalsras Rimpoche" held on display for people to worship. The highlight of the festival is the sacred mask dances, Chaams that are performed by the monks. The beating of drums, clashing of cymbals and the spiritual wail of pipes add a mystic touch to the festival.
Ullambana :

Along with other countries like China, Japan and Malaysia, India, too celebrates Ullambana. The festival is the time when, it is believed, the Gates of the Hell open and the dead are allowed to pay a visit to their loved ones on earth. Because of this, on this day, the Buddhists make offerings to the deads and perform charitable deeds so as to gain spiritual merit. The festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month.
Sangha Day/ Magha Puja : The Sangha day celebrates the spontaneous gathering of 1250 Arahants at the Veruvana Monastery in the Rajgaha city after the first Rains Retreat. This gathering was adressed by the Buddha who delievered his sermon, or recitation of the Patimokkha. The event took place in the month of magh as per indian calendar and hence, it is also known as the the Magha day Puja. The festival, which honours the Sangha or the Buddhist community, is also known as the Four Fold Assembly.
Asalha Day :

Asalha or the Dhamma Day celebrates the first teaching of the Buddha which He delievered to a group of five friends. The day also marks the beginning of the three months long Rains retreat during which monks remain confined to their monasteries and focus on their meditation. The day is celebrated on the full moon of the eighth lunar month of Asalha.

Pavarana Day :

This day marks the end of the vassa or the three months Rains Retreat which begins with Asalha Day. The day falls on the full moon day of the 11th lunar month and coincides with October November of the Gregorian calendar.

Orissa

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Buddhist Sites in OrissaModern day Orissa (ancient Kalinga) came to be associated with Buddhism when Ashoka invaded the land. In fact, the great King Ashoka did a lot to spread Buddhism in and around Orissa (Kalinga of that time) by starting a new era of art, education, peace and learning. Present day Orissa has inherited the Buddhist heritage, which was nurtured during the ancient Kalinga. One gets mesmerized by the remains of the Buddhist monuments and heritage in Orissa. The Buddhist tourist trail in Orissa brings to light some of the remarkable places that have withstood the ravages of time.
Dhauli

HillOne of the important Buddhist destinations in India, Dhauli Hill is situated near Daya River, in the Khurda district of Orissa. It lies at a distance of approximately 8 km from the city of Bhubaneshwar. Dhauli hill holds the distinction of being the place where Emperor Ashoka renounced war and embraced Buddhism.
Lalitagiri

The village of Lalitagiri is situated in the state of Orissa. It lies at a distance of approximately 90 km from the city of Bhubaneshwar. Lalitagiri dates back to the first century and is considered to be one of the earliest Buddhist establishments in the world. Even today, the ancient stupas, beautiful sculptures and the caves make the place look like that of an ancient age.
Ratnagiri

The city of Ratnagiri is situated in the in Jajpur district of Orissa, India. It lies at a distance of approximately 100 km from Bhubaneshwar city. The city stands encircled by rivers, namely Mahanadi, Brahmani, Kimiria and Birupa, in all the directions. A number of excavations have been carried out at Ratnagiri and they have dated the city to the period of the Gupta dynasty, i.e., somewhere around the 6th century AD. Numerous Buddhist structures were unearthed form the hill range nearby.
Udaigiri

The city of Udaigiri is situated in Orissa, India. It lies at a distance of approximately 20 km to the northeast of Cuttack and 100 km from Bhubaneshwar. Udaygiri is one of the significant Buddhist destinations in India.

ANDHRA PRADESH

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Buddhist Sites in Andhra PradeshBuddhism spread to Andhra Pradesh and surrounding areas in the third and second centuries BC. This fact is proved by stupas and other Buddhist structures in various parts of Andhra Pradesh. From Vijayapuri or 'Sriparvata' and Amaravati, Buddhism spread to the Far East including China and Japan and to Srilanka. There are dozens of Buddhist sites in Andhra Pradesh.
Amravati

The city of Amravati is situated in the state of Andhra Pradesh. It lies on the right bank of River Krishna, at a distance of approximately 65 km from Vijayawada. The erstwhile capital of Satavahana dynasty, it came under the influence of Buddhism through the Kushanas of Mathura. One of the major attractions of Amravati consists of the remains of a 2000-year-old Buddhist settlement, along with the great Buddhist stupa. There is also a temple dedicated to Lord Amaresvara in the city.
Nagarjunakonda

Nagarjunakonda is a valley situated in Guntur District of Andhra Pradesh. It lies at a distance of approximately 150 km from the capital city of Hyderabad. Nagarjuna Konda is named after Nagarjuna, a Buddhist monk, who lived here around the turn of the 2nd century AD. A magnificent example of ancient Buddhist architecture, it is remake of the original Buddhist site. The original valley was shifted, as it was at the danger of being submerged under the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam. The valley symbolizes a lost civilization, which flourished thousand years ago.

Bihar

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Buddhist Sites in Bihar

Bihar has been the ultimate pilgrimage for the Buddhists. It was in Bodh Gaya (Bihar) where Lord Buddha became enlightened. The prime Buddhist pilgrimages/sites of Bihar include Vaishali (where Lord Buddha preached many a times and announced his impending nirvana), Bodhgaya, where Buddha attained enlightenment (nirvana) and Nalanda, which developed as a great center of Buddhist learning. Rajgir is yet another important Buddhist pilgrimage site in Bihar, where Lord Buddha spent much time giving sermons.
Barabar CavesBarabar Caves are situated in Barabar Hills, at a distance of approximately 20-25 km to the north of Gaya, Bihar. These hills are famous for the four rock cut caves that are sited here. Dating back to the 200 BC, these caves were constructed during the reign of Emperor Ashoka, for the Ajivikas.
Buddhist Sites in BiharBihar has been the ultimate pilgrimage for the Buddhists. It was in Bodh Gaya (Bihar) where Lord Buddha became enlightened. The prime Buddhist pilgrimages/sites of Bihar include Vaishali (where Lord Buddha preached many a times and announced his impending nirvana), Bodhgaya, where Buddha attained enlightenment (nirvana) and Nalanda, which developed as a great center of Buddhist learning. Rajgir is yet another important Buddhist pilgrimage site in Bihar, where Lord Buddha spent much time giving sermons.
Barabar CavesBarabar Caves are situated in Barabar Hills, at a distance of approximately 20-25 km to the north of Gaya, Bihar. These hills are famous for the four rock cut caves that are sited here. Dating back to the 200 BC, these caves were constructed during the reign of Emperor Ashoka, for the Ajivikas.
Champanagar

Champanagar is situated in the Bhagalpur district of Bihar, India. It lies at a distance of approximately 220 km away from the capital city of Patna. The significance of this place stems from the fact that it had the fortuity of being visited by Lord Buddha a number of times.
Don

Don is situated in the state of Bihar. There is a legend associated with Don. It is believed that after the cremation of the mortal remains of Lord Buddha, an argument ensued between his four disciples over the division of his ashes.
Ghosrawan

Ghosrawan is a small village situated in the state of Bihar, India. The significance of Ghosrawan stems from the fact that it stands on the site of a very large and important Buddhist Monastery.
Gurpa

Gurpa is a small village, situated in the state of Bihar. It lies at a distance of approximately 33 km from Gaya, a Buddhist pilgrim destination in India. The village is considered as significant because of its association with Maha Kassapa, the successor of Lord Buddha.

Hajipur

Hajipur is a small village situated in the state of Bihar. It lies at a distance of approximately 10 km from the capital city of Patna. In the ancient time, it was known as Ukkacala and was the first village to come after crossing River Ganga at Patna.
Indasala Cave

Indasala Cave is situated near Rajgir in the state of Bihar. It lies at the base of a sharp cliff, halfway up the side of Giriyek Mountain. On the top of the mountain stands the Hansa Stupa. The Hansa Stupa holds the distinction of being the most complete stupa in India, till date.
JethianJethian is a small village situated near Rajgir town of Bihar, India. In the ancient time, it used to be known as Lativana, or the Palm Grove. In 7th century AD Jethian also served as the seat of influence of Jayasena, the famous saint.
Kesaria Stupa

Kesaria Stupa is situated in the Champaran (east) district of Bihar. It lies at a distance of approximately 110 km from the capital city of Patna. The Kesaria Stupa holds the distinction of being the largest in the world, standing at a height of 104 ft.
Kurkihar

Kurkihar is a small village situated in the state of Bihar. It lies at a distance of approximately 22 km from the Gaya district. This large mound over which this village lies consists of the remains of a very old Buddhist Monastery.
Lauriya Nandangarh

Lauriya Nandangarh is situated in the state of Bihar. It lies at a distance of approximately 22 km from the district of Bettiah. Lauriya Nandangarh boasts of housing the Ashokan pillar, comprising of the six Ashokan Edicts.
Nalanda

Nalanda is situated in the state of Bihar. Founded in the 5th century AD, it lies at a distance of approximately 90 km from the capital city of Patna. Nalanda had the honor of being visited by Lord Buddha a number of times, in His lifetime.
Patna

Patna is the capital of the state of Bihar. It is situated on the banks of the holy river Ganga. In the ancient, the city was known by the name of Pataliputra. Patna has the fortuity of being visited by Lord Buddha, when he had to cross the mighty river on his last journey to Kushinagar. Pragbodhi

Pragbodhi Mountain is situated near Gaya district in the state of Bihar. The name Pragbodhi literally means 'Prior to Enlightenment'. The mountain derives its name from the sojourn of Prince Siddhartha here, before he received enlightenment.
Rajgir

Rajgir is situated in the state of Bihar, encircled by five holy hills. It lies at a distance of approximately 34 km from the city of Gaya. The name of the town has been derived from the words 'Raj Griha', meaning 'the abode of the king'. During the lifetime of Lord Buddha, Rajgir served as the capital city of the Magadh Empire.
Vaishali

Vaishali district is situated in the state of Bihar. It lies at a distance of approximately 60 km from the capital city of Patna. The place gains significance from the fact that it is here that Lord Buddha announced the imminence of his Mahaparinirvana. Vaishali also witnessed one of the eight great events in the life of Lord Buddha.
Vikramsila

Vikramsila is a town situated in the state of Bihar, India. It lies at a distance of approximately 40 km from the city of Bhagalpur. One of the popular Buddhist destinations in India, Vikramshila cannot boast of a direct relation with Lord Buddha. It is mainly renowned for being one of the most significant centers of Tantric Buddhism, in the 8th century AD.

Statewise Imporatnce in INDIA

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Buddhist Caves in Maharashtra
The state of Maharashtra in India is dotted with numerous Buddhist caves. Along with Buddhism, these caves are also closely associated with other religions such as Hinduism and Jainism. Some of these Buddhist cave in Maharashtra are Ajanta, Ellora, Junnar, Karle, Kanheri and Bhaja. Of all the Buddhist caves in Maharashtra, Ajanta and Ellora caves are most famous and World heritage sites as they represent one of the masterpieces of sculpture and paintings.
Ajanta Caves
The Ajanta caves are situated in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, India. The caves, thirty in number, are said to have witnessed the prosperity as well as the decline of the two sects of Buddhism, the Hinayana and the Mahayana. They are adorned with paintings, scriptures and architecture of both the sects.
Ellora Caves
Ellora Caves are situated in the state of Maharashtra, India. They lie at a distance of approximately 25 km from the Aurangabad district. The beautiful caves of Ellora symbolize three of the major religions of the world, namely Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism. They also hold the distinction of being declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Junnar Caves
Junnar caves are situated in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra. They lie at a distance of approximately 177 km from the city of Mumbai, on the Mumbai-Aurangabad route. There are three major groups of caves in the hills surrounding Junnar plains, of which the most prominent ones are Tulija Lena and the Ganesh Lena. All of the Junnar caves, situated in India, were founded somewhere between 2nd Century BC and 3rd Century AD.
Kanheri Caves
Kanheri Caves are situated in the heart of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Maharashtra. They lie at a distance of approximately 10 km from Borivali, Mumbai. They are almost 109 in number and date back to somewhere between 1st century BC and 9th century AD. Kanheri Caves signify a golden beginning and the end of Buddhism in the northern India.
Karla Caves
Karla Caves are situated in the state of Maharashtra, near the Pune-Mumbai Road. They lie at a distance of approximately 20 km from Lonavla and 40 km from Pune. The caves of Karla date back to the 2nd century BC and are known for their Chaitya Hall, intricate sculptures and pillars with ingenious architecture.

Buddhism in India

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The charishma of Gautam Buddha is spreaded in all over the world. But it has special importance in India. Specially in 5 major cities in India.
Buddhist Pilgramage Sites in India-Andhra Pradesh , Bihar , Maharashtra , Orissa , Uttar Pradesh .
Sites in INDIA
There are four principal Buddhist pilgrimage sites where most of the buddhist temples and shrines are located. The most important of these are located primarily in the Ganges Valley of India.
Dharamsala:
The town of Dharamsala is situated in Himachal Pradesh, on the high slopes in the upper reaches of Kangra Valley. With the Dhauladhar Mountains serving as its backdrop, the town presents a picturesque sight.
Lumbini:
In the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal lies Lumbini, the birthplace of Prince Siddhartha Gautama, who was later to become the Buddha. Queen Maya Devi of the Sakya clan was on her way to her parental home when she gave birth to the prince under a tree.
Bodhgaya:
Bodh Gaya is where Siddhartha Gautama became the Buddha as he sat in meditation on the diamond seat under the Bodhi (Ficus Religiosa) tree.
Sarnath:
It was in the Deer Park at Sarnath that the Buddha gave his first significant sermons on the Middle Way, the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path to his five fellow seekers who became the first monks of the order.
Kushinagar:
The Buddha died in a Saal forest in Kushinagar and attained mahaparinirvana at the age of 80.
McLeodganj:
The town of McLeodganj is situated in Himachal Pradesh, India. The town dates back to the mid 19th century when it was established as a British garrison. Mcleodganj was initially the home of the semi-nomadic Gaddi tribe.
Pilak:
Pilak is situated in the state of Tripura, surrounded by flourishing green valley speckled with paddy fields. It lies at a distance of approximately 100 km from the capital city of Agartala.
Sanchi:
Sanchi is situated in the state of Madhya Pradesh in India. It lies at a distance of approximately 52 km from the capital city of Bhopal and 10 km from Vidisha. The major attractions of Sanchi include a number of Buddhist stupas, monasteries, temples and pillars.

The Birth of Buddha

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The birth of Pince Siddharth was a significant event in the history of mankind. He was born in 563 B.C. to King Suddhodana and Queen Maya in the royal grove of Lumbini between Devadaha and Kapilvastu.
The royal family belonged to the Gautama Gothra of the Sakya clan of the solar race. Their kingdom Kapilvastu was between the Nepalese foothills and the river Raptu. The Shakayas were priestly-warriors, wealthy knights and landowners.
On the fifth day of the birth of the prince, the naming ceremonies were performed and it was predicted that the newly born was destined to be either a universal monarch or a supreme enlightened one, a Buddha. King was shocked by this prediction and enquired, "What will my son see that will be the occasion of his forsaking the household life?" The soothsayers said, "Four signs" and described them as "a man worn by age, a sick man, a dead body and a hermit".
The King provided his son with all luxuries, and ensured a comfortable and pleasure-filled childhood with the best education. He took special care to protect him from any negative sight. In his youth, Prince Siddhartha married Princess Yasodhara. She bore him a son. But all these worldly ties were not able to stop him from forfeiting worldly pleasures.
During one of his few excursions, Siddhartha saw four things, which opened his eyes towards the harsh realities of life. He saw an old man suffering from the frailties of age, a sick man suffering from disease, a beggar suffering from hunger and he saw a dead body. All these events affected him immensely and Siddhartha finally came to the conclusion that nothing is permanent in life. The infirmities of old age, the pangs of hunger, the pain of sickness and end of life brought sufferings that he had never experienced. All these events in his life forced him to search for truth that eventually changed his life.
At the age of twenty-nine, he left his home in search of the answers to his questions, leaving behind his wife and son, his father and a crown that held the promises of power and glory. After leaving his homeland, Siddhartha made his way to the hermitage of renowned sages of that time. But found these teachers' range of knowledge was insufficient to grant him that which was still unknown to him. He followed the path of self-mortification and went on testing the truth of it for six years but could not attain his desired goal.
Self-mortification could not lead to his desired aim. He came to death's door and realized the utter futility of self-mortification. He gave up self-torture, extreme fasting and began to take nourishing food. Gradually he regained strength and his original appearance. Then began an intense meditation program until he came to know about the absolute truth. He meditated under the Bodhi tree in Bodhgaya. At the end of his meditation, in just one night (C. 528 B.C.), Siddhartha came to know about all his previous lives and the truth about cycle of birth and rebirth and how to end the cycle of infinite sorrow. Siddhartha became the "Buddha" or "awakened one".
After two months the Buddha decided to impart knowledge and enlightenment to others. The first sermon of Buddha was held at the deer garden in Banaras. Buddha called his teachings "the Middle Way" because it was midway between asceticism and indulgence. His "Four Noble Truths", which are the foundation of all Buddhist beliefs, are:
1.All human life is suffering.
2.All suffering is caused by human desire
3.An end of human desire is the end of human sufferings.
4.An end to all the desire can be achieved by following the "Eightfold Noble Path".
The Eightfold Noble Path is:
1.Right Understanding
2.Right Thought
3.Right Speech
4.Right Action
5.Right Livelihood
6.Right Effort
7.Right Mindfulness
8.Right Concentration
For the next forty-five years after his enlightenment, he taught as the Buddha or "Shakyamuni" (the sage of the Shakaya). Buddha established an order of monks called the Sangha.
The Buddha attained Parinibbana (freedom from the cycle of birth and death) at the age of eighty.