November 21 and 22, 2018 Kasaria Kesaria is a Buddhist stupa first constructed around the 3rd century BCE. The stupa has a circumference of almost 400 feet making it the largest stupa in the world, it then rises to a height of about 104 feet. The stupa was not discovered until 1958 during an excavation … Read more
Rajgir November 24 and 25, 2018 Ghora Katora Lake is a small, serene spot near Rajgir. The name Rajgir came from Rājagṛiha ‘house of the king’ or “royal house”. Rajgir had been the capital of the Magadh kingdom until the 5th century BCE. It is said that the lake had been used for watering the horses … Read more
November 2018 The robes of Buddhist monks and nuns are part of a tradition that goes back to the time of the historical Buddha. The first monks wore robes patched together from rags, as did many mendicant holy men in India at the time. As the wandering community of disciples grew, the Buddha found that … Read more
Nalanda/Rajgir November 2018 In the Black Buddha Temple is an ancient large black Buddha in the Dhamma Chakra Mudra position. The Dhamma Chakra Mudra is also called the Wheel of Law depicting Buddha’s first sermon after his enlightenment This huge stone image from the Gupta period was lost to Buddhism, in the interim the Hindi’s worshiped it, … Read more
Vaishali, India November 18-20 2018 I am in Vaishali as part of the 2nd Annual Tipitaka Chanting Ceremony. If you are interested in that you can read about last years ceremony here. This is another adventure. Today I came across two protests. The first was about rural water and politics. The protesters were very polite, … Read more
November 14-18 2018 I am here as part of the 1st Tipitaka Chanting Ceremony ever held within the Maya Devi Temple Complex in Lumbini. As with any historic moment, there is the usual fanfare. A parade with beautiful women carrying flowers and banners. The flower-laden throne carrying the Tipitaka. And streams of participants Then there is … Read more
District of Kapilavastu Outside of Lumbini, Nepal November 15, 2018 Today I had the absolute pleasure of being taken around the countryside of Lumbini by Bikram Pandey. The gentleman calls himself a Tourism Pro-activist. He is a consummate lover and promoter of Buddhism and the historic Buddhist sites of the Lumbini Area. These sites are … Read more