The River of Ganges

6am, we left to Ganges river for site seeing. The bus stopped at the junction and we had to walk about 5 minutes to the river bank of the Ganges. The scenery of the sun rise at the river bank was so beautiful. The sun slowly rose up and the ray reflected in the river. The Hindus regarded the water of the Ganges as very holy. They used it for prayers and healing purposes.

We took a small boat and tour around the river. There were people bathing by the river bank. There were people approached our boats to sell souvenirs.

I lighted up a candle for Mr Lim, wish him and his family in peace and happy always. And for all living beings, may you all be well and happy.

There are also Ghats built by the ancient kings. The Ghats are basically a bay for the people to take bath. The kings built Ghats so that they can take bath conveniently in the Ganges.

There is also a cremation centre by the river. We are not allowed to take picture when we approached that place. Indeed death is inevitable to all human.

The Dhammapada quote this

Verse 288: Not sons, nor parents, nor close relatives can protect one assailed by Death; indeed, neither kith nor kin can give protection.

Verse 289: Knowing this, the wise man restrained by morality should quickly clear (the obstacles to) the Path leading to Nibbana.

Some Indian Sadhus...

Day 13

18 Nov 2009 (Varanasi, Sarnath)

6am in the morning, we went to the Ganges river. I will post this one later. Let’s talk about pilgrimage first.

After the breakfast, we went to Sarnath, Isipatana or Deer Park. Firstly, we visited Mulagandha Kuty Vihara where the 5 ascestics met the Buddha. Then we took the 8 precepts here.



Not far away, there is statue where the Buddha preached the first sermon to the five ascetics.



After that, we visited Dharmarajika Stupa where the Buddha preached the first sermon – Dhammacakkapavathana Sutta! Which after this discourse, Venerable Kondanna attained the first fruition.

Then we arrived at the Dhamek Stupa where Buddha preached the second sermon, Anattalakkhana Sutta, hearing which all the 5 Ascetics attained Arahantship. We meditated here for a while and do some walking meditation. I also chanted Dhammacakkapavathana Sutta here. Chanted the Buddha first sermon at this place... Felt so good...




We also visited Mulagandhakuti, where Buddha spent the first rain retreat.



Pancayatana Temple, this site is the place where Buddha preached to the rich man Yasa.

The broken Asokan pillar with the lion capital on top of it.

Next, we visited the Sarnath Archeological Museum. In the museum, enshrines the Asoka Pillar with the Lion Capital on top of it. The four lion’s statues are standing back to back with each other and opening their mouth in a roaring posture. It represented the Buddha’s Dhamma is spreading to the four directions. The teaching of the deathless, for those who have listened, practiced it diligently, shall attain the deathless state of nibanna!

Basically, that’s all about my pilgrimage trip. The next 2 days will be my way back home to Malaysia…

Day 12

17 Nov 2009 (Bodhgaya)

In the morning, I went to Maha Bodhi Temple to pay my last respect to the Buddha. We are leaving to Sarnath in the afternoon. It was a rainy day. I try to take as many photographs as I want. And I also collected some Bodhi leaves. I have to wait under the rain for the leaves to fall down. There are other who was waiting for the Bodhi leaves as well…

In the afternoon, we departed to Varanasi.

Day 11

16 Nov 2009 (Bodhgaya)

About 4am in the morning, a few of us went to meditate in Maha Bodhi Temple. That’s a nice experience.

After breakfast, we prepared lunch dana for 70 monks from Magadha University.

In the afternoon we visited the temples around. There are Bhutanese Temple.

Japanese Temple.

Hugh Buddha Statue built by the Japanese.

Thai Temple.

Maha Bodhi Society

Tibetan Temple

At night, we meditated in the Maha Bodhi Temple. That was such a blissful and blessed sitting.

Day 10

15 Nov 2009 (Bodhgaya)

This morning, we took a van and went to the cave where the Boddhisatta practiced austerities for 6 years. The cave was known as Dungeswari and it was very small. Outside the cave is a Tibetan Temple. We needed to walk up the small hill to reach that cave.

Then we visited Sujata Village. We went to Sujata Stupa and pay respect there. This was the place where Sujata offered the meal before the Boddhisatta attain enlightenment.



Next we stopped over at the place where a layman, Sotthiya offered a few bundles of Kusa grass to the Bodhisatta. Then Buddha placed the grass on his seat and made a strong resolution to attain the enlightenment.


We arrived at Maha Bodhi Temple. Buddha had spent 7 weeks in Bodhgaya after the supreme enlightenment.


The first week, Buddha attained enlightenment on the diamond throne, under the Bodhi Tree. Then Buddha reflect on the dependent origination, Paticca Samuppada.



The second week, Buddha stood grazing at the Bodhi Tree with unblinking eyes as a mark of gratitude to the Bodhi Tree which protect shelter for him during this period. This place is called Animisilocana Cetiya.


The third week, Buddha spent on walking meditation between the diamond throne and the Animisilocana Cetiya.

The fourth week, Buddha reflected on Abhidhamma and his body emitted rays of 6 colors after that.

The fifth week, Buddha sat under a Banyan tree and absorb in the bliss of Phalasamapatti (fruition of Arahantship). Then Buddha answered a question from a Brahmin.



The sixth week, Buddha was protected by Mucalinda, the serpent king of the lake. Mucanlinda used its coils to encircle Buddha’s body and covered the Buddha’s head with its hood. Because there was an untimely rainstorm and gloomed for seven days.


At the seventh week, Buddha moved to the Rajayatana tree. Buddha also absorbed into Arahantship bliss. And the two merchant brothers met the Buddha’s discourse, took the Two refuge in the Buddha and the Dhamma. Then they asked for object of worship, Buddha then gave them eight hairs and they returned to their native in Myanmar. The hair relics were later enshrine in the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon.

At night, Jason and I went to Maha Bodhi Temple. This time, I offered a light to the Buddha. This has been my wish for a long time, to offer a light to the Buddha, at the place of his enlightenment. Finally, my wish fulfilled. May I attain enlightenment too.

Day 9

14 Nov 2009 (Rajgir – Bodhgaya)

This morning, we visited the Vaibhara Giri Hill in Rajgir, Sattapanni caves, where the first Sangha Council was held. On the way up to the hill, there was a cave which was previously stayed by Bhante Maha Kasappa and it was known as Pipphali House.

It took us almost half and hour to reach the Sattapanni caves where the first Sangha Council was held. Inside the cave, it was very narrow, and we can’t go further inside, it was blocked by stones. There is a Buddha statue and candles lighted.

We visited the Ajatasattu Stupa, which erected by King Ajasattu.

Next we went to Bamboo Grove, Veluvana Vihara which was presented by the King Bimbisara to the Buddha. It was the first Buddhist Monastry. We took the 8 precepts here.

Then we stopped by the Stupa where Buddha tamed the drunken elephant which released by Devadatta. It’s the battle between the elephants. And Buddha won with the power of loving kindness and the elephant bowed to the Buddha.

After that, we went to Bimbisara Jail where the King Bimbisara was jailed by his son, King Ajatasattu. Eventually King Bimbisara died in that prison.

Then we stopped by at the Mango Groved, Veluvana which was presented to the Buddha by the physician, Jivaka.

After lunch we visited the Vulture Peak, where the Buddha and his disciples often stayed there and meditated. The view on top of the mountain was just magnificent, great and peaceful. It gave a full view of the forest in Rajgir.

We arrived at Bodhgaya about 5pm. Then at night around 7.30pm, we walked to the Maha Bodhi Temple and took the 8 precepts inside the temple. That is the most beautiful temple that I have ever seen in my life. There were a lot of people chanting in this area. The Bodhi tree is situated behind the Maha Bodhi Temple, and the Diamond Throne is situated under the Bodhi Tree. I chanted the Buddha’s virtue, and then followed by ‘Anekajati’ verse. I was so happy. Finally I can chant it in the place where the Buddha attained the supreme enlightenment.