Uttar Pradesh is the land of Lord Buddha where we can experience His presence. As mentioned by the Buddha in the Mahaparinirvana sutta, visiting the sacred Buddhist sites is of great significance. It is states in the Sutta, “Ānanda, there a faithful Noble Son should go to visit and generate the thought of renunciation. ‘Here Tathāgata turned the unsurpassed wheel of Dhamma!’ ‒ Ānanda, there a faithful Noble Son should go to visit and generate the thought of renunciation. ‘Here Tathāgata attained Mahāparinibbāna!’ ‒ Ānanda, there a faithful Noble Son should go to visit and generate the thought of renunciation. Anyone who passes away while on pilgrimage to these shrines will, when their body breaks up after death, be reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm.”
I had heard about these sacred sites since childhood and always wanted to visit them given an opportunity. When I finally got a chance to fulfill my heart desire, I set out to embark on a long spiritual journey from Himalaya to experience the Buddha’s presence in the sacred land of Uttar Pradesh. Leaving the hustle-bustle of the world behind, I reached Shravasti, one of Buddha’s primary residence in Uttar Pradesh. The moment I reached Shravasti, echoes of peace reverberated throughout my body. I could experience the calm aura of the place. I explored the serene surroundings and inhaled the feeling of belongingness. This environment inspired me to take a moment and try to imbibe the divine presence through meditation. And so, I sat on the plain near Gandha Kuti or the “Fragrant Chamber” and started meditating on Mindfulness of Breathing for a few hours. It is the place where Lord Buddha himself taught mindfulness meditation that explains the breathing meditation practice more than 2,500 years ago. It really took me thousands of years back, to an era when the Lord Buddha physically abided and taught countless sutras and suttas here. I could inwardly feel the presence of the Lord Buddha, giving sermon before me. Yes, I was blessed. The environment filled with the melodious chirping of birds and echoes of peace.
On moving further, I reached the Angulimala Stupa where the infamous killer Angulimala renounced his murderous life and took refuge in Lord Buddha. This stupa stands as an important symbol for the transformation of evilness into goodness. This was the moment when I realised the sanctity of Buddha’s teachings that one can be absolved of even the gravest sins when we have a strong thought of remorse and resolve not to repeat it again even at the cost of life.
My next journey was to Sankisa. When I reached Sankisa, I could experience the same bliss that would have been felt by the people who witnessed Buddha descending from heaven to the human realm. This is an immense sacred pilgrimage site, but many of us are unaware of its importance.
Next, I went to the Dhamek Stupa. It is said that here peace echoes from the Buddha’s sermons. There, I sat in a crossed-legged posture and mindfully recited the Dharmacakrapavatana sutta contemplating the four noble truths that the Buddha taught at this very site. The four noble truths are unavoidable medicine for the mind. The world is full of suffering for an ordinary being like me, yet I ignorantly lead a life that surmounts to suffering. I vowed to follow the Buddha’s path that leads to happiness, the true essence of life. I pondered on the great activities of Lord Buddha, which inspired me to follow His footsteps. I visualized the Buddha in the space before me and prayed for a sense of oneness to prevail among humans and with nature. When I was walking through the sites and circumambulating the stupa, an ineffable joy arose in me. The environment, filled with the melodious tone of spiritual chant and fragrance of incense, enhanced my inner joy.
I kept chanting mantras and reached Mulagandha Kuti Vihara where I witnessed the golden statue of the Lord Buddha and prostrated thrice before it. The walls of the Mulagandha Kuti Vihara beautifully depicted the Buddha’s life story. I closely noticed those beautiful paintings and reflected the Buddha’s life story, which had inspired me to follow his path and to live simply. Sarnath museum, not far from the site, housed some of the finest specimens of Buddhist sculpture. Here I saw statues of the Buddha in Dharmacakra mudra, the Ashoka’s pillar with a beautiful inscription on it, Ashoka’s chakra, and many other historical treasures. Yes, it was a really meaningful journey. Please come, visit the Buddha’s preaching place and know the secrets of life.
On moving further, I reached Kapilavastu, the childhood home of the Buddha. Here I felt like being transported thousands of years back, to an era when young Prince Siddhartha, having seen the sufferings of life, renounced all worldly riches and pleasures and went in search of the path leading to the cessation of suffering.
My last spiritual journey was to Kushinagar. When I arrived there, a strong thought about death spontaneously arose in me. This is the place where the Awakened One achieved Mahaparinirvana and even had to leave the world behind. An ordinary being like me realised that this chaotic life is temporary and yet I cling to it as if this world is our permanent abode. I mindfully recited Mahaparinibbana sutta, standing in front of the sacred statue of the reclining Buddha and inwardly vowed to practice the death and impermanence.
Uttar Pradesh is blessed with the presence and aura of the Buddha at different locations. The Buddha Circuit of the state can turn out to be life changing for believers. It is here that you can feel His absolute divinity and trace His footsteps in life and afterlife.
Bavatu Sabba Manggalam!