Pilgrimage
The BuddhaThe founder of Buddhism, Siddhartha Gautama, after his enlightenment. It is a title which means the enlightened or awakened one. suggested that pilgrimage would help his followers develop spiritually. Major sites of Buddhist pilgrimage are often found in northern India in places associated with the Buddha’s life, teaching and enlightenmentThe realisation of the truth about life. In Buddhism it releases a person from the cycle of rebirth..
Bodh Gaya
Bodh Gaya, in the Indian state of Bihar in northern India, is one of the most significant sites of pilgrimage to Buddhists. In Pali, the language of the Buddha, ‘bodh’ means ‘enlightenment’. According to Buddhist belief, before he became the Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment under a tree, now known as the Bodhi Tree, in the place now known as Bodh Gaya (‘place of enlightenment’).
Today the Mahabodhi Temple, built around 250 years after the Buddha’s death by a Buddhist emperor, stands on the spot. Pilgrims pay their respects to the Buddha, make offerings, chantRepeating religious phrases or quotations from sacred texts. and meditationThinking quietly as a spiritual or religious exercise. Connection of the mind and soul with the Divine using breathing and other techniques. In Buddhism, using one of a set of techniques or exercises for calming the mind, developing positive emotions and understanding the way things are. at this important place to renew their commitment to the path to enlightenment.
Sarnath Deer Park
Sarnath Deer Park is north of the holy city of Varanasi in India. At Sarnath Deer Park, the Buddha gave the first of his teachings, which would become the Dhamma (Dharma)Dhamma is Buddhist doctrine about the nature of existence and includes the teachings of the Buddha., seven weeks after attaining enlightenment (at Bodh Gaya). The name derives from an old Buddhist story that a Bodhisattva (also spelt Bodhisatta)In Mahayana Buddhism the bodhisattva is one who has vowed to obtain enlightenment for the benefit of all beings., in the shape of a deer, persuaded a king that needed deer to be protected, and the king created a deer sanctuary.
The Buddha travelled to Sarnath because five holy men, his previous companions, were there. The Buddha taught there and his words are recorded in the Dhammacakkappavattana SuttaThe Setting in Motion of the Wheel of the Dhamma (Dharma) Sutta. It is a Buddhist text that records the first teaching given by the Buddha after he attained enlightenment., translated as ‘The Setting in Motion of the Wheel of Dhamma’. This book is considered to contain his first teaching after achieving enlightenment.
Retreats
Retreats are essential in Buddhism. Whether Buddhists are alone or in a group, time taken to focus on the mind and understanding is necessary for spiritual growth.
Retreats take place throughout the year in both isolated and communal settings. Since the Buddha asked wandering monks not to travel during Vassa, which occurs during the rainy season, the Vassa retreat has become a common practice.
Question
Where did the Buddha attain enlightenment?
Bodh Gaya in northern India.