Buddhist Destinations in India
There are between four and sixteen principal Buddhist pilgrimage sites in
India, with the most important located primarily in the Ganges Valley of India.
LUMBINI: O
ne
of the most important place of Buddhist pilgrimage is Lumbini, located near
the Nepal-India border. This is where Gautam Buddha was born to a royal family
in 556 B.C.E. Many auspicious signs accompanied the Buddha's birth, including
the sprouting of the bodhi tree. The great Buddhist ruler Ashoka visited the
site two centuries later, constructing a stupa (mound, usually of earth) and
pillar in recognition. Although largely destroyed now, these remain important
marks of the Buddha's birthplace.
BODHGAYA: The Buddha attained enlightenment at the age of 29 in the town
of Bodhgaya in India. After settling under a tree, the Buddha made the resolve
not to move until he had achieved enlightenment. After three days and nights
of profound meditation this goal was realised. The bodhi tree under which the
Buddha sat has been destroyed both intentionally and naturally many times since
this time of enlightenment. It has continued to re sprout and is visible today.
The Mahabodhi Temple marks Bodhgaya. The origins of the Temple are unclear.
Some claim the Temple could have been built as early as the third century by
Ashoka, others claim the Temple was built between the fifth and seventh centuries.
A thriving Monastic Order continues in the area today, with three monasteries
catering for locals and foreigners alike.
SARNATH: 
At
Sarnath in the Ganges Valley of India, the Buddha proclaimed the law of faith.
It was here that he taught the keys aspects of Buddhism: the four noble truths,
the eightfold path and the middle way philosophy. The Buddha encouraged followers
to avoid extremes of austerity or pleasure. The remains of monasteries dating
from the third century B.C.E. to the first century C.E. indicate a thriving
monastic community.
SHRAVASTI: Another of the most commonly visited places of Buddhist pilgrimage
is Shravasti. It is here that the Buddha is said to have performed great miracles.
One story tells of how on throwing down the seed of a mango, a great mango tree
instantly arose. Another story tells of how the Buddha stood in the air, the
lower part of his body engulfed in flames, with five hundred jets of water streaming
from the top of his body.
SANKASHAYA: In Sankashaya the Buddha descended from the Tushita Heaven.
It is said that during the forty-first year of the Buddha's life, he went to
the Tushita Heaven to teach Dharma to his mother, who had died shortly after
the Buddha's death. Ashoka later built a Temple on the site. Today, little of
the site's glory remains. This is the only important place of Buddhist pilgrimage
where no temples, or monasteries exist today.
NALANDA: 
Nalanda
is important both because it was blessed with the presence of the Buddha, and
because of the famous monastic university developed there. This university also
named Nalanda (meaning 'insatiable in giving') played a central role in the
development of Buddhism in India.
RAJGIR: Rajgir is another place in the Ganges Valley where the Buddha
walked and preached. Perhaps the most important event of the Buddha's visits
to Rajgir was the conversion of two future disciples, Sariputra and Maudgalyayana.
While Sariputra was credited with greater intelligence, Maudgalyayana wielded
a greater power for miracles.
OTHER PLACES: Other commemorative monuments to the spread in Buddhism
in India include Sanchi, Bharhut, Amaravati, and Nagarjunakonda where great
Buddhist stupas and Buddhist university sites remain. India also boosts the
famous Buddhist Cave Temples, Ajanta, Ellora, Kanheri and Karli located in western
India.
The places of birth and enlightenment are perhaps the two most important sites
of pilgrimage for Buddhists in the world today. These are accompanied by a number
of other sites marking the spread of Buddhism throughout the Indian sub-continent.
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