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Buddhist Pilgrimage
The practice of making pilgrimage in Buddhism is an ancient one but, due to the
decline of the religion in India between the 7th and 12th centuries, the major sites of
pilgrimage became derelict. The practice revived considerably however in the last
century after the restoration of these. Nowadays, pilgrimages to sites associated with
Buddha’s life as well as local holy places associated with the Buddha and other holy
beings are significant features of Buddhist practice for both the lay and monastic
sangha.
The 4 Main Sites of Buddhist Pilgrimage
Lumbini-Buddha’s Birth Place
Nowadays, Lumbini lies in the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal but at the time of the
Buddha Siddhartha Gautama’s birth, it was part of India. The site of his birth is
marked by a pillar originally erected in the 3rd century BCE by the Emperor Asoka,
probably the most famous of all Buddhist monarchs. An inscription on the pillar
declares, ‘Here the Buddha was born’.
Bodh Gaya-Enlightenment Under the Bodhi Tree
Since it is the place where Siddhartha Gautama manifested enlightenment, Bodh Gaya
is the most important site of Buddhist pilgrimage. One of the dominant features of the
site is a large fig tree known as a ‘bodhi’ or enlightenment tree. This tree is a direct
descendant of the very tree under which the Buddha sat at the time of his
enlightenment. Next to the tree lies a circular stone upon which is an imprint of
Buddha’s foot. Directly adjoining the small garden in which the tree lies is the
Mahabodhi or ‘Great enlightenment’ temple. The foundations of this temple date back
to the 2nd or 3rd century CE, although there is some evidence of even earlier
construction. The foundations themselves have been added to repeatedly over the
centuries, so that now the temple has become a huge building, with a 59 metre high
tower and housing a large image of the Buddha.
The Deer Park at Sarnath-The First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma
After Bodh Gaya, probably the most important place of Buddhist pilgrimage is the
Deer Park at Sarnath.
Once Buddha had achieved enlightenment, he travelled to the Deer Park where the
five ascetics he had formerly practiced meditation with were dwelling. Recognizing
that he had achieved his goal, the ascetics requested that Siddhartha Gautama teach
them. After some initial hesitation, Buddha taught them the Four Noble Truths and
explained that the Noble Eightfold Path led to the end of suffering. The teachings that
were given by the Buddha on this occasion came to be known as the Dhamma cakka
pavattana or the ‘First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma’. Although archaeological
evidence indicates that a number of monuments and monasteries were built at Sarnath
over the centuries, most of these have subsequently been destroyed. Nowadays, the
main focus for pilgrims is a statue enshrined in one of the temples there.
Kushinara-Maha Pari Nirvana: The Great Final Liberation
When the Buddha was 80 years old, he was taken ill. Despite this, he continued to
travel on foot around India, as had been his custom since achieving enlightenment.
However, when he reached Kushinara (sometimes known as Kushinagar), he decided
he should go no further. As he lay down between two trees with his head pointing
north, it became clear to those around him that this would be his final resting place.
Asked what should be done with his body after his death, the Buddha replied that it
should be wrapped in a shroud, placed in a coffin and cremated, and that the remains
should then be placed in a stupa. Stupas are burial mounds containing the remains of
the Buddha or other holy beings such as arhats and bodhisattvas; they are symbols of
the Buddha’s enlightened mind. The Buddha then said: ‘Whoever shall place there
garlands or perfumes, or whitewash, or make salutation there, or become in its
presence calm in heart, that shall long be to them for profit and joy’. The practice of
circumambulation or ‘walking around’ stupas with a mind of devotion is also
particularly popular.
Finally, having asked the monks around him if they had any final questions before he
died, the Buddha declared: ‘All conditioned things are subject to decay. Work out
your salvation with diligence’ and with that, in the state of meditation, he passed from
this life.
After the body had been cremated, the remains or ‘relics’ were divided and placed in
eight stupas. The ashes of the funeral pyre were placed in a ninth and the bowl used to
collect the relics in a tenth. The relics were later subdivided and distributed more
widely throughout the Buddhist world.
Why Pilgrimage?
It is said that simply being near relics brings great blessing. Moreover, the Buddha
himself recommended the practice of pilgrimage, declaring that anyone who dies with
a serene heart while making pilgrimage will gain a good rebirth. Visiting places
associated with important events at the time of the Buddha brings them to life and
strengthens followers’ determination to follow his example. This in turn helps
Buddhists accumulate merit and create good karma.