In The Buddha's Footsteps (5)

Thursday, 26th March 2009, Rajagaha/Nalanda

We left Wat Thai Bodhgaya early in the morning for Rajagaha, an important place during the Buddha's time where many of His discourses were delivered here. The First Buddhist Council after the Buddha's demise was held in Rajagaha.

The landmark that welcomed our delegation was the ancient chariots wheel tracks left on a stretch of stone roads. The tracks were created due to heavy usage by the chariots during a certain period which determines the importance of Rajagaha during that time.

We reached our main destination of the morning, the Gijjhakuta hill. We will need to proceed on foot to reach the Vulture Peak, a favourite retreat site of the Buddha.

The Vulture's Peak is visible from the foot hill but we need to climb it on foot to reach it.

The stretch of winding and steep road leading to the peak is about one kilometer length.

For those who are spiritually determined to reach to the top but physically may not be able to endure trekking up the hill under the hot sun which reaches about 37 degree Celcius, the alternative is using the human sedan. Even though these carrier guys are having very strong legs, the climb uphill is indeed very challenging even for them with a load. I saw some of the carriers stop few times to catch a breathe or two while going up especially if the load is about 100 kilos!

There are few caves which were used by the Buddha and His disciples, Ananda, Moggalana and Sariputra. We paid our respects and chanted at each and every caves on the way up to the peak.

At the Vulture Peak with Venerable Anurut.

The spot where Lord Buddha sat during his retreat at the Vulture Peak in Gijjhakuta, Rajagaha.

The next stop was the remains of King Bimbisara's jail. King Bimbisara was imprisoned and tortured by his son Ajatasattu who was too impatient to take over his father's throne.

The remains of the Bimbisara Jail.

About 2pm local time, we arrived at the Venuvana or the Bamboo Grove, a park donated by King Bimbisara to the Buddha as a place of residence when He visits Rajagaha.

"Thus have I heard. Once the Lord was staying at Rajagaha, at the Squirrels's Feeding Place in the Bamboo Grove. And at the time Sigalaka the householder's son...."

The above is an extract from the Sigalovada Sutta, a sutta on the advice to lay people which was delivered at Rajagaha by the Buddha when He saw Sigalaka paying homage to six directions.

Further up north of Rajagaha was the location of the most famous university in Buddhist history, Nalanda. Historical inscriptions provides the proofs on the the stature of Nalanda University before it was attacked and burnt down by Muslims armies in the 12th and 13th centuries. Many students from overseas studied at this place included those from China, Tibet, Java and Sri Lanka. Some of the famous overseas students who had studied at Nalanda University includes Chinese monks Hsuan Tsang and I-Tsing.

It was a great experience to step my foot into the great university of Nalanda and breathe in the air at the middle of the complex. But I was very sad when reminiscing the suffering of the 10,000 monks that were killed mercilessly by the barbaric attackers few hundred years ago. The sun already sets in Nalanda, India but hundreds of Nalanda's still growing all around the world.

Anger and greed may destroy and burnt buildings built from bricks but will never distinguished the faith in the hearts of those who faithfully walks the path of Dhamma.

We arrived at the Wat Thai Nalanda late in the evening, tired but still very energetic and encouraged. While we were having dinner, the power supply was cut-off intermittently but since the setting of the dining area of the temple are resort-styled, the lighting from hurricane lamps provides a sense of peacefulness.

Took some pastries known as "kacha" by the locals. It seems this local delicacy has been around since the Buddha's time.

To be continued....