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.