Home > Nepal, Birthplace of Buddha > Exploring the Buddha-related sites
In the legend it is said that when Buddha was born in Lumbini, he wore a halo, stood on the ground with his right hand pointing to the heaven and left hand pointing the ground, and said “I am the Lord in heaven and on the earth,” and took seven steps in six directions: north, west, south, east, up and down. Lumbini was long forgotten until a German archaeologist Alois. A. Fuhrer discovered the commemorating Ashoka Pillar (300 B.C.) which proved that this was indeed the birthplace of Buddha. In 1997, Lumbini was inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List as the birthplace of Buddha. Today, The Maya Devi Temple has been constructed and many Buddhist pilgrims visit the site from different parts of the world.
Bodh Gaya is the land where Buddha attained enlightenment, and therefore is considered the most sacred place among the Four Holy Sites.
Buddha, in his mission to find the answer for the four pains “birth, aging, illness, and death”, left Kapilavastu and became a monk (known as “Four Sights”). Then after nearly six years of asceticism, but when he received the alms of rice porridge from a village girl, he realized that asceticism is not the way to reach enlightenment.
After abandoning asceticism, Buddha deeply meditated under a pipal tree on the bank of the Nairanjana River, repeled evil (Maara) seductions and attained enlightenment. It is said that it was then that Buddha discovered the Middle Way, the Four Noble Truths, and the Noble Eightfold Path.
The pipal tree is now called bodhi tree, as the place where Buddha attained enlightenment.
Today, a 52-meter-tall temple stands in Bodh Gaya. In the 13th century, the temple complex was covered with dirt by the Buddhists to protect it from Islamic destruction, but was excavated by the British at the end of 19th century. In 2002, it was inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List as the “Mahabodhi Temple Complex”.
Buddha, having become enlightened under the bodhi tree, first thought that other people would never understand the deep enlightenment that he had attained. However, Brahmā Sahampati, the greatest god with its origin in India, asked him to teach dharma to the people. With this, Buddha decided to give discourses and started his journey to the time-honored training ground, Sarnath.
Seven days after departing from Bodh Gaya, Buddha arrived at Sarnath and went to meet the five ascetics with whom he had once practiced asceticism. The five ascetics had promised to each other that they would never speak with Buddha, but when Buddha approached them, they were stricken by his godliness and dignity, and asked him to teach them. Therefore, Sarnath became the first place where Buddha gave his discourse (The First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma). The five became Arhats and became the first disciples.
For 45 years after attaining enlightenment, Buddha continues to teach in Rajgir where Bamboo Grave monastery and Vulture Peak are found, and in Shravasti where The Jeta grove monastery stands nearby. Then after the age of 80, he left Rajgir and headed northward for his final missionary. (It is also said that Buddha was aiming for his homeland on his last trip.)
After predicting his own passing in Vaisari, he finally entered parinirvana under the sal tree in Kushinagar. It is told that at that moment, the sal tree went into full bloom and white petals fell.
“After I am gone, remember all I have said about the inner light, and live your life in the Law. These are my last words. As the various events of this world take place and go by, do not rest until you attain your enlightenment.” ---This is believed to be the last teaching of Buddha.
Buddha's body was cremated and the ashes were carried in the Ganges River. Parts of his relics were divided into eight, and placed in eight stupas in northern India.
In present day Kushinagar, Mahaparinirvana Stupa stands near the sal tree which is thought to be the descendent of the one that was there at the time of Buddha’s passing. The stupa contains a Buddha-image of Buddha entering parinirvana, attracting many Buddhist pilgrims to the site.
