In The Buddha's Footsteps (4)

Wednesday afternoon, 25th March, 2009, Bodhgaya

In a sunny and hot afternoon, the pilgrims travelled in four-wheeled drives to reach Dongeswa, a mountain where the Buddha-to-be used to stay and meditates in a cave.

To reach the site, pilgrims need to depends on their own determination and physical strength to climb a steep cliff. If the Buddha-to-be walks all the way from the base to the top, nowadays we only need to persevere for last 200 meters.

Sadhu!Everyone succeeded in the climb. Now we shall have our chanting in front of the very cave where the Buddha-to-be stays and meditates.

And enjoys a magnificent eagle view kilometers away from the top. We reap what we sow!

In the company of the Venerable Phra Anurut and Samanera Krittithep.

We continued the Buddha's trail and reach a small village where a stupa was built over maiden Sujata's house who offered Buddha the milk rice before His enlightenment.


Just a short distance away, we reached the Neranjara River in minutes. The MahaBodhi Temple can be seen from the opposite banks of the Neranjara River.

Neranjara River, where the Buddha bathe during his stays at Bodhgaya, dries-up during the dry season.


We made our vows at the river banks of Neranjara, just as Buddha did during His time.





To be continued....