Difference between revisions of "Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India"
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[[File:Imagess.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | [[File:Imagess.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | ||
| − | In religion and spirituality, a pilgrimage is a long journey or search of great moral significance. Sometimes, it is a journey to a sacred place or shrine of importance to a person's beliefs and faith. Members of every major religion participate in pilgrimages. A person who makes such a journey is called a pilgrim. | + | In [[religion]] and [[spirituality]], a [[pilgrimage]] is a long journey or search of great [[moral]] significance. Sometimes, it is a journey to a [[sacred]] place or [[shrine]] of importance to a person's [[beliefs]] and [[faith]]. Members of every major [[religion]] participate in [[pilgrimages]]. A [[person]] who makes such a journey is called a [[pilgrim]]. |
| − | Buddhism offers four major sites of pilgrimage: the Buddha's birthplace at Kapilavastu, the site where he attained Enlightenment Bodh Gaya, where he first preached at Benaras, and where he achieved Parinirvana at Kusinagara. | + | [[Buddhism]] offers four major sites of [[pilgrimage]]: the [[Buddha's]] birthplace at [[Kapilavastu]], the site where he attained [[Enlightenment]] [[Bodh Gaya]], where he first {{Wiki|preached}} at Benaras, and where he achieved [[Parinirvana]] at [[Kusinagara]]. |
| − | Some Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India are listed below: | + | Some [[Buddhist pilgrimage]] sites in [[India]] are listed below: |
| − | ::*Bodh Gaya, Bihar - The site of the enlightenment of Gautama Buddha | + | ::*[[Bodh Gaya]], {{Wiki|Bihar}} - The site of the [[enlightenment]] of [[Gautama Buddha]] |
| − | ::*Sarnath, outside Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh - The site of the first sermon | + | ::*[[Sarnath]], outside [[Varanasi]], {{Wiki|Uttar Pradesh}} - The site of the first {{Wiki|sermon}} |
| − | ::*Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh - the site of the Buddha's paranibbana | + | ::*[[Kushinagar]], {{Wiki|Uttar Pradesh}} - the site of the [[Buddha's]] paranibbana |
| − | These are three of the four holiest sites in Buddhism. The fourth, Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha, is now in southern Nepal. | + | These are three of the four holiest sites in [[Buddhism]]. The fourth, [[Lumbini]], the birthplace of the [[Buddha]], is now in southern [[Nepal]]. |
| − | ::*Patna, Bihar - Formerly known as Pataliputra, it was the seat of the Mauryan empire and a ::significant Buddhist centre | + | ::*[[Patna]], {{Wiki|Bihar}} - Formerly known as [[Pataliputra]], it was the seat of the {{Wiki|Mauryan empire}} and a ::significant [[Buddhist]] centre |
| − | ::*Rajgir, Bihar - Formerly known as Rajagaha, it was the capital of Magadha, ruled by ::King Bimbisara, one of the most prominent monarchs and supporters during the lifetime of ::the Buddha | + | ::*[[Rajgir]], {{Wiki|Bihar}} - Formerly known as [[Rajagaha]], it was the {{Wiki|capital}} of [[Magadha]], ruled by ::[[King]] [[Bimbisara]], one of the most prominent monarchs and supporters during the [[lifetime]] of ::the [[Buddha]] |
| − | ::*Nalanda, Bihar - Site of an ancient Buddhist university, destroyed by Bakhtiyar Khalji ::during Islamic attacks | + | ::*[[Nalanda]], {{Wiki|Bihar}} - Site of an {{Wiki|ancient}} [[Buddhist]] {{Wiki|university}}, destroyed by Bakhtiyar Khalji ::during Islamic attacks |
| − | ::*Sravasti, Uttar Pradesh - Formerly known as Savatthi, it was the capital of Kosala, ::ruled by King Pasenadi, one of the most prominent monarchs and supporters during the ::lifetime of the Buddha | + | ::*[[Sravasti]], {{Wiki|Uttar Pradesh}} - Formerly known as [[Savatthi]], it was the {{Wiki|capital}} of [[Kosala]], ::ruled by [[King]] [[Pasenadi]], one of the most prominent monarchs and supporters during the ::[[lifetime]] of the [[Buddha]] |
| − | ::*Vaishali, Bihar - Seat of a republican state of the Lichchavis, prominent supporters of ::the Buddha. Site of the Second Buddhist Council | + | ::*[[Vaishali]], {{Wiki|Bihar}} - Seat of a republican state of the Lichchavis, prominent supporters of ::the [[Buddha]]. Site of the [[Second Buddhist Council]] |
| − | The name of Bihar is derived from vihara, meaning monastery, such was the association of the area with Buddhism. In addition to these sites which were visited by the Buddha, other sites in India have become notable | + | The [[name]] of {{Wiki|Bihar}} is derived from [[vihara]], [[meaning]] [[monastery]], such was the association of the area with [[Buddhism]]. In addition to these sites which were visited by the [[Buddha]], other sites in [[India]] have become notable |
| − | ::*Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh - Site of a large stupa built by Asoka, it also stored the relics ::of Sariputra and Mahamoggallana, the two chief disciples of the Buddha; reputedly the ::place from which Mahinda set out to proselytise Sri Lanka. | + | ::*[[Sanchi]], [[Madhya]] Pradesh - Site of a large [[stupa]] built by [[Asoka]], it also stored the [[relics]] ::of [[Sariputra]] and [[Mahamoggallana]], the two chief [[disciples]] of the [[Buddha]]; reputedly the ::place from which [[Mahinda]] set out to proselytise [[Sri Lanka]]. |
| − | ::*Ajanta and Ellora, Maharashtra - the site of intricate cave paintings depicting Buddhism | + | ::*[[Ajanta]] and Ellora, [[Maharashtra]] - the site of intricate {{Wiki|cave}} paintings depicting [[Buddhism]] |
| − | ::*Nagarjunakonda, Bavikonda, Thotlakonda, Salihundam and Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh - former ::sites of Buddhist education | + | ::*Nagarjunakonda, Bavikonda, Thotlakonda, Salihundam and {{Wiki|Amaravati}}, Andhra Pradesh - former ::sites of [[Buddhist]] [[education]] |
| − | There are a proliferation of Tibetan Buddhist sites in northern India, in the Himalayan foothills | + | There are a {{Wiki|proliferation}} of [[Tibetan Buddhist]] sites in {{Wiki|northern India}}, in the [[Himalayan]] foothills |
| − | ::*Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh | + | ::*Tawang, {{Wiki|Arunachal Pradesh}} |
| − | ::*Rumtek, Sikkim | + | ::*[[Rumtek]], [[Sikkim]] |
| − | ::*Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh | + | ::*{{Wiki|Dharamsala}}, [[Himachal Pradesh]] |
| − | ::*Tabo Monastery | + | ::*[[Tabo Monastery]] |
| − | ::*Leh, Ladakh | + | ::*Leh, {{Wiki|Ladakh}} |
Further sites: | Further sites: | ||
| − | ::*Bojjannakonda, Andhra Pradesh | + | ::*[[Bojjannakonda]], Andhra Pradesh |
::*Bhattiprolu, Andhra Pradesh | ::*Bhattiprolu, Andhra Pradesh | ||
| − | ::*Bagh Caves, Madhya Pradesh | + | ::*Bagh [[Caves]], [[Madhya]] Pradesh |
::*Chandavaram, Andhra Pradesh | ::*Chandavaram, Andhra Pradesh | ||
::*Guntupalli, Andhra Pradesh | ::*Guntupalli, Andhra Pradesh | ||
::*Ghantasala, Andhra Pradesh | ::*Ghantasala, Andhra Pradesh | ||
| − | ::*Harwan, near Srinagar, Kashmir | + | ::*Harwan, near Srinagar, [[Kashmir]] |
::*Nelakondapalli, Andhra Pradesh | ::*Nelakondapalli, Andhra Pradesh | ||
| − | ::*Pavurallakonda, Andhra Pradesh | + | ::*[[Pavurallakonda]], Andhra Pradesh |
::*Phanigiri, Andhra Pradesh | ::*Phanigiri, Andhra Pradesh | ||
| − | ::*Panderathan, Kashmir | + | ::*Panderathan, [[Kashmir]] |
| − | ::*Parihaspura, Jammu and Kashmir | + | ::*Parihaspura, Jammu and [[Kashmir]] |
::*Ramatheertham, Andhra Pradesh | ::*Ramatheertham, Andhra Pradesh | ||
::*Vadnagar, Mehsana District, Gujarat | ::*Vadnagar, Mehsana District, Gujarat | ||
Latest revision as of 20:49, 19 September 2013
In religion and spirituality, a pilgrimage is a long journey or search of great moral significance. Sometimes, it is a journey to a sacred place or shrine of importance to a person's beliefs and faith. Members of every major religion participate in pilgrimages. A person who makes such a journey is called a pilgrim. Buddhism offers four major sites of pilgrimage: the Buddha's birthplace at Kapilavastu, the site where he attained Enlightenment Bodh Gaya, where he first preached at Benaras, and where he achieved Parinirvana at Kusinagara.
Some Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India are listed below:
- Bodh Gaya, Bihar - The site of the enlightenment of Gautama Buddha
- Sarnath, outside Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh - The site of the first sermon
- Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh - the site of the Buddha's paranibbana
These are three of the four holiest sites in Buddhism. The fourth, Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha, is now in southern Nepal.
- Patna, Bihar - Formerly known as Pataliputra, it was the seat of the Mauryan empire and a ::significant Buddhist centre
- Rajgir, Bihar - Formerly known as Rajagaha, it was the capital of Magadha, ruled by ::King Bimbisara, one of the most prominent monarchs and supporters during the lifetime of ::the Buddha
- Nalanda, Bihar - Site of an ancient Buddhist university, destroyed by Bakhtiyar Khalji ::during Islamic attacks
- Sravasti, Uttar Pradesh - Formerly known as Savatthi, it was the capital of Kosala, ::ruled by King Pasenadi, one of the most prominent monarchs and supporters during the ::lifetime of the Buddha
- Vaishali, Bihar - Seat of a republican state of the Lichchavis, prominent supporters of ::the Buddha. Site of the Second Buddhist Council
The name of Bihar is derived from vihara, meaning monastery, such was the association of the area with Buddhism. In addition to these sites which were visited by the Buddha, other sites in India have become notable
- Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh - Site of a large stupa built by Asoka, it also stored the relics ::of Sariputra and Mahamoggallana, the two chief disciples of the Buddha; reputedly the ::place from which Mahinda set out to proselytise Sri Lanka.
- Ajanta and Ellora, Maharashtra - the site of intricate cave paintings depicting Buddhism
- Nagarjunakonda, Bavikonda, Thotlakonda, Salihundam and Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh - former ::sites of Buddhist education
There are a proliferation of Tibetan Buddhist sites in northern India, in the Himalayan foothills
- Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh
- Rumtek, Sikkim
- Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh
- Tabo Monastery
- Leh, Ladakh
Further sites:
- Bojjannakonda, Andhra Pradesh
- Bhattiprolu, Andhra Pradesh
- Bagh Caves, Madhya Pradesh
- Chandavaram, Andhra Pradesh
- Guntupalli, Andhra Pradesh
- Ghantasala, Andhra Pradesh
- Harwan, near Srinagar, Kashmir
- Nelakondapalli, Andhra Pradesh
- Pavurallakonda, Andhra Pradesh
- Phanigiri, Andhra Pradesh
- Panderathan, Kashmir
- Parihaspura, Jammu and Kashmir
- Ramatheertham, Andhra Pradesh
- Vadnagar, Mehsana District, Gujarat
