Day 6

11 Nov 2009 (Lumbini – Kusinara)

Departed as early as 6.15am, we left Nepal and headed to Kusinara. There were hugh traffic jam at the border because there were lot’s of trucks coming in and out at the border.

We arrived at Kusinara about 11am, had lunch and proceeded to the memorial park where Buddha passed into Maha Parinibanna. At first, we do sitting meditation beside the Maha Parinibanna Temple. While I sat there, I reflected on the Buddha’s quality, Sugato, means well gone. As Buddha had passed into Parinibanna. I thought of Buddha, while he was still a Bodhisatta, he had worked so hard to accumulate all the 10 paramis, he had even scarified countless of lives, body, organs, and even his wife and children, just for the sake of Buddhahood. He had done so much for the living beings. And now, Buddha had reached his final destination, Parinibanna, the ever lasting peace. I felt so happy for the Buddha, and thank him for all he had done for us.

At the same time, I knew that my job hasn’t done yet. I still have to strive diligently for my own nibanna. Buddha’s last word came into my mind, ‘vayadhammā saṅkhārā appamādena sampādetha.’ Which means all things are subject to decay; strive on with diligent!

After meditating for half an hour, we went into the temple and paid respect to the Buddha by went round the reclining Buddha statue 3 times. Then we took some photographs.

Next we went to the Mahaparinibanna Stupa which marked the exact spot where the Buddha passed away, just behind the temple. Again, we went round the stupa 3 times. I reflected on the Buddha’s virtue.

After that, we did the offering at the Burmese Temple.

Then we visited Matha Kuar Shrine.

Lastly, we arrived at the cremation Stupa, where the citizen in Kusinara cremated Buddha’s body.

At the side of the Stupa is the Tiranawati river, where they washed Buddha’s body before they wrapped and cremated. We also walked round the Stupa 3 times. There were also Thai monks and lay people chanting the Buddha’s virtue. I found that I understand Pali, and we shared the same faith.