” Om Mani Padme Hum” The mantra chanted by Tibetan Lamas reverberated in my mind as I sat cross legged in front of the golden hued large image of the Buddha at Bodhgaya temple. Automatically my mind wandered back to the days when the young prince named Gautama left his palace in search of enlightenment. Naturally he was attracted to Nalanda which was already a centre of learning and a stronghold of Jains. Animal sacrifice which was rampant among Hindus in those days pained the youth who discussed religious matters with the students and teachers of the famous Nalanda University which he frequented in later years too. Not satisfied, he sojourned southwards to Rajgir, which was later the capital of the famous Ajatashatru, and crossed the Phalgu River. Several months he spent taking bath in the river and meditating in the loneliness of the forests. The famous Bodhi Vriksha is still there (the original tree must have died) well protected by gold colored railings and a concrete enclosure just behind the huge, magnificent temple constructed in the typical Hindu architecture of North Indian temples.
On the first of November I was there with my wife. This is how I celebrated my seventieth birthday in solemn meditation. The spacious sanctum was totally silent. A few monks were moving about. Candles and incense were burnt at a separate place outside the sanctum. Recently a number of beautiful temples have come up built by foreign countries like Taiwan, Tibet, Thailand and Japan in the architectural style of their respective countries. Bodhgaya is now the Mecca of Buddhists all over Asia. There is a steady stream of pilgrims and tourists especially from Sri Lanka. A Buddhist nun (she may be Japanese) asked me whether I am a Buddhist and why I am offering prayers in front of the lord. I explained that with Bhgavat Puran, Buddha is mentioned as one of the Avtars of Vishnu. Hindus consider all great men as manifestations of Lord Almighty. Buddhism made us vegetarian and abhors violence. We still worship the peepal tree!
We left New Delhi by Maha Bodhi Express and reached Gaya early morning at 6:20. We booked a room at Ajatashatru Hotel just outside the railway station. By 9 am. We were ready. Just for Rs. 10 rickshaw took us to the river bank at the foot of the Vishnu Paad temple. After bath we climbed up several flights of steps before we reached the temple. The open Sanctum sanctorum contains no idol. Instead, there is a big convex rock in the center on which the huge foot print is seen with Shamkh (Conch) and Padma on either side (copper emblems of varying size are available in the shops outside the temple).
It takes about half an hour from Gaya to Bodhgaya. Jeeps and large autorikshas with four seats and luggage portion behind are most common. The road by the side of the river and green fields with occasional palm trees reminded us of our own Bharathapuzha between Ottapallam and Shoranur (in Kerala).
In our strife torn world to day the message of Lord Buddha is all the more relevant: Right thoughts, right words and right action!
On the first of November I was there with my wife. This is how I celebrated my seventieth birthday in solemn meditation. The spacious sanctum was totally silent. A few monks were moving about. Candles and incense were burnt at a separate place outside the sanctum. Recently a number of beautiful temples have come up built by foreign countries like Taiwan, Tibet, Thailand and Japan in the architectural style of their respective countries. Bodhgaya is now the Mecca of Buddhists all over Asia. There is a steady stream of pilgrims and tourists especially from Sri Lanka. A Buddhist nun (she may be Japanese) asked me whether I am a Buddhist and why I am offering prayers in front of the lord. I explained that with Bhgavat Puran, Buddha is mentioned as one of the Avtars of Vishnu. Hindus consider all great men as manifestations of Lord Almighty. Buddhism made us vegetarian and abhors violence. We still worship the peepal tree!
We left New Delhi by Maha Bodhi Express and reached Gaya early morning at 6:20. We booked a room at Ajatashatru Hotel just outside the railway station. By 9 am. We were ready. Just for Rs. 10 rickshaw took us to the river bank at the foot of the Vishnu Paad temple. After bath we climbed up several flights of steps before we reached the temple. The open Sanctum sanctorum contains no idol. Instead, there is a big convex rock in the center on which the huge foot print is seen with Shamkh (Conch) and Padma on either side (copper emblems of varying size are available in the shops outside the temple).
It takes about half an hour from Gaya to Bodhgaya. Jeeps and large autorikshas with four seats and luggage portion behind are most common. The road by the side of the river and green fields with occasional palm trees reminded us of our own Bharathapuzha between Ottapallam and Shoranur (in Kerala).
In our strife torn world to day the message of Lord Buddha is all the more relevant: Right thoughts, right words and right action!
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