My Spiritual Journey To Bodhgaya

Saurav Prakash

Last updated: Apr 3, 2017

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Frankly, it was quite embarrassing, given the fact that I was born and brought up in Bihar, to shake my head in negation every time someone asked me whether I have been to Bodhgaya. No longer able to withstand those amused accusing eyes, one fine morning I donned my traveler’s hat and hopped on a train and set out for Bihar.

Bihar has a rich history of panoramic culture, colorful tradition and diverse religious beliefs. Some of the greatest kings and dynasties in India ruled over the gargantuan empire of Magadh - Ashoka the Great, Changragupta Maurya, Vikramaditya, to name a few. But it is Bodhgaya, one of the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage centers in the world that has put Bihar on the world map.

My trip to Bodhgaya was only of 24 hours but nevertheless it was an enriching experience; mentally and spiritually. Bodhgaya is the place where Gautam Buddha, the spiritual leader of the Buddhism, is said to have attained supreme knowledge meditating under an obscure banyan tree (now one of the world’s most known and worshipped tree). Not wasting any tme, I made haste to some of the iconic places in Bodhgaya.

The Mahabodhi Temple: The Mahabodhi Temple is as much an architectural marvel as it is a sacrosanct place of pilgrimage. It has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and I could see why. The place exudes waves of spiritual energy. I was dumbfounded. Never had I thought that a non-believer like me could be an awe of the Temple and feel the celestial energy flow like an unobstructed river. Built by the Buddhist emperor, Ashoka, the Temple also has a diamond throne shrine with a canopy supported by four pillars over a stone representation of the Vajrasana, the Seat of Enlightenment. The Temple is home to a leviathan black statue of Lord Buddha, sitting cross-legged and his right hand touching the earth. The Temple is open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The Bodhi Tree: The moment I came out of the spell put on me by the Mahabodhi Temple, I happily walked into the clutches of another powerful spell. This time the Bodhi Tree - the place where Lord Buddha is said to have meditated and gained supreme knowledge. The legend states that for seven days after enlightenment, Lord Buddha continued to meditate under the now sacred Bodhi Tree without so much as shifting from his posture. During the second week, Lord Buddha practiced walking meditation. To commemorate this, a jewel walk, Chankramanar, was built as a low platform adorned with 19 lotuses which are parallel to the Maha Bodhi Temple.

A stupa called Animesh Lochan Chaitya was built to objectify the legend that Lord Buddha contemplated the Bodhi Tree for a week in gratification without once blinking his eyes.

Several countries with a Buddhist population like Japan, Burma, Sri Lanka, Korea, and Nepal have erected their own respective monasteries and temples in Bodhgaya. The diversity in architecture brought about by this phenomenon is nothing short of amazing.

While rushing through all the sites, I decided that the journey would not be complete if I did not make a stop at one of the much praised Buddhist meditation institutes in Bodhgaya. I was particularly impressed by the Root Institute. People from all over the world belonging to any religion can study and meditate on Buddha's teachings as they are explained in the Tibetan Mahayana tradition. The institute offers various courses from October to March every winter, both for the amateurs and the practiced.

The time constraint was playing on my mind as I had to catch the return train to Delhi. There were places that I wanted to see but could not. For you, my fellow travelers, my suggestion would be to dedicate at least a couple of days to explore, understand, and feel the spirituality and the innate peace that Bodhgaya brings to the soul.

Saurav Prakash

Comments

john | on 21 June 2012

Indian Tour Guide

Hi
I am John from India. Actually i am a student but my Hobby is Tour Guide work and all management for tourist. My only Hobby is this if u needs any kind of help in Bodh Gaya or India and u want to hang out with me in India any where. u please mail me at bodhgaya4india@gmail.com and search me in Face Book By E-mail ID or call me 9430406213. Your Private tour guide in India ……

Bye and Tack care
You’re John