Footsteps of Buddha in India

Sarnath:

Sarnath, located just 12 km from the Hindu holy city of Varanasi, is the site of the deer park where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma after his enlightenment. Sarnath is one of four holy Buddhist sites sanctioned by the Buddha himself for pilgrimage. The other three sites are: Lumbini (birth); Bodh Gaya (enlightenment); and Kushinagar (death).

Sarnath has previously been known as Mrigadava, "deer park," and Isipatana, meaning the place where holy men (Pali: isi) fell to earth. The latter name is based in the legend that when the Buddha was born, devas came down to announce it to 500 holy men. The holy men all rose into the air and disappeared and their relics fell to the ground.

After his enlightenment in Bodhgaya, the Buddha went to Sarnath seeking his five former companions. He found them, taught them what he had learned, and they also became enlightened. This event is referred to as "the turning of the wheel of the Dharma" and also marks the founding of the Sangha, or the community of monks.

Buddha's first ever discourse, delivered here at Sarnath, is known in Pali as the Dhammacakkhapavathana Sutta. Other Suttas include the Anattalakhana Sutta and the Saccavibhanga Sutta. The Buddha's central teaching after his enlightenment centered around the Four Noble Truths (concerning the meaning of life) and the Noble Eightfold Path (concerning the right way to live).

Bodhgaya:

Bodhgaya (also written Bodh Gaya) in northeastern India is the site of the Buddha's enlightenment and the most important of four main Buddhist pilgrimage destinations. Known as Uruvela in the Buddha's time, the city of Bodhgaya is now a town of about 30,000 permanent residents.

The two major sacred sites in Bodhgaya are the Mahabodhi Temple and the Bodhi Tree, around which many other temples and monasteries of various Buddhist traditions (Japanese, Tibetan, Bhutanese and others) have been built.

Every year, millions of Buddhist pilgrims, mainly from Asian countries, flock to Bodhgaya to be inspired, dissipate negative karma and earn merit by visiting the holy site where the Buddha became the Buddha ("Enlightened One").

Kushinagar

Kushinagar (also spelled Kusinagar or Kusinara) is the site of the Buddha Shakyamuni's death. It is located next to Kasia, a rural town in the state of Uttar Pradesh, 52 km from Gorakhpur, in northern India.

Kushinagar is one of the four major pilgrimage destinations said to have been authorized by the Buddha himself. The other three sites are: Lumbini (birth); Bodh Gaya (enlightenment); and Sarnath (first teaching). Kushinagar was a celebrated center of the Malla kingdom of ancient India. At this location, near the Hiranyavati River, Gautama Buddha attained Parinirvana (passed away), and was cremated.

Many of the ruined stupas and viharas at Kushinagara date back to 3rd century BC to the 5th century AD when prosperity was at its peak. The Mauryan emperor Ashoka is known to have contributed to significant construction at this site.

Prior to its rediscovery in the nineteenth century, there was a silence of more than half a millennium at Kasia. Due possibily to violent invasions, Kushinagar lost its vitality and eventually was neglected. The notable Buddha Temple, when rediscovered, was covered in a 40 foot high mound of bricks surrounded by a dense thorny forest.

Excavations began in the late 1800s and many important remnants of the main site such as the Matha Kuar and Ramabhar stupa were unveiled. Today, Kushinagar is a much-frequented pilgrimage site, especially for Buddhists from Asian countries.

Other Sites Associated with the Buddha:

Champanagar
A lakeside town off the beaten path where the Buddha gave several important discourses.
Gaya. A large city and one of the seven sacred cities of Hinduism. Here the Buddha preached his famous Fire Sermon.

Indasala Cave
A remote and beautiful cave to which Sakka came to ask Buddha his eight questions, and the Buddha gave the Sakkapanha Sutta in response.

Jethian
Where the Buddha and King Bimbisara first met. The king came out to greet the Buddha while he and his disciples were on their way to Rajgir to meet him.

Kapilavatthu
Town where Prince Siddhartha grew up, with ruins of temples and monasteries. The Buddha taught the Madhupindika Sutta here.

Kesariya
Where the Buddha taught the Kalama Sutta.

Kosambi
Scene of important events in the Buddha's career.

Mathura
Visited once by the Buddha and great center of Buddhist art. But the city later became an important Buddhist center and there is much to see. The site is 58 km from Agra (home of the Taj Mahal).

Nalanda
Visited by the Buddha and site of a great Buddhist university.

Patna
Visited by the Buddha and scene of the Third Buddhist Council.

Prabhosa
The hill where the Buddha spent his sixth rains retreat.

Pragbodhi ("Prior to Enlightenment")
Mountain where Prince Siddharta practiced austerities before his enlightenment. The site features a cave where the Buddha may have sheltered, a small temple run by Tibetan monks, remains of ancient stupas, and an excellent view that includes the spire of the Mahabodhi Temple. The Buddha spoke about his quest for truth in the Mahasihanada and Ariyapariyesana Suttas.

Rajgir
The largest city in north India in Buddha's time, Rajgir was the scene of several important events in the Buddha's career and the site of the First Council. It is also a Jain pilgrimage site.

Sankassya
Where legend says the Buddha descended from the Tusita Heaven. Not a lot to see.

Savatthi
The city where the Buddha spent every rainy season for the last 20 years of his life. The site features ruins of many monasteries and beautiful gardens. The Buddha delivered many discourses here, including Kakacupama Sutta, the Vimamsaka Sutta and the Angulimala Sutta.

Vesali
Scene of several important events in the Buddha's career.