(VOVWORLD) - Uttar Pradesh, a state in northern India, has two of the four most important sites in the Buddha’s life – Sarnath, where the Buddha delivered his first sermon, and Kushinagar, where he entered nirvana. In this week’s Cultural Rendezvous, we’ll explore Uttar Pradesh and its popular Buddhist destinations through a report by Bao Tram.
 The longest stretch of the Ganges River is in Uttar Pradesh. (Photo: Bao Tram) |
Uttar Pradesh offers serenity, a profound connection to the roots of Buddhism, and much more, said Mukesh Kumar Meshram, Principal Secretary of local Tourism and Culture Department.
With the Ganges River flowing through it, the historic state is home to countless religious sites along its banks.
Uttar Pradesh has six Buddhist landmarks, said Mukesh Kumar Meshram, elaborating, “We have Sarnath, where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. We have Kushinagar, where he breathed his last. We have Krishna land, the birth circuit of Mathura Vrindavan, and the holy river Ganges. The longest stretch of the Ganges River is in Uttar Pradesh and on both banks of the river we have holy places, spiritual places, religious places.”
 The ivory-white marble Taj Mahal (Photo: Bao Tram) |
Venerable Thich Thien Duc who is pursuing a Master’s degree in Buddhism at Gautam Buddha University said that Uttar Pradesh, widely known for the ivory-white marble Taj Mahal and lively cultural festivals, has a profound importance for Buddhists as the land where the Buddha spent much of his life after achieving enlightenment.
Therefore, Uttar Pradesh has a trove of sacred sites, each telling us a story about the Buddha's life, teachings, and legacy.
“The spiritual journey to Uttar Pradesh is unique. It’s believed that if you visit the four most important sites in the Buddha’s life, especially the place where he entered nirvana in Kushinagar, with all sincerity and joy, you will be reborn in the realms of meditation, peace, and heaven,” said Venerable Thich Thien Duc, adding, “The Jetavana monastery is where the Buddha lived for 24 rainy seasons and left the world extremely valuable teachings about suffering, the origin of suffering, and the way out of suffering.”
 Sarnath, the Garden of Spiritual Wisdom, houses Dhamek Stupa, believed to mark the spot of the Buddha’s first sermon. (Photo: kashiyatra.in)
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About 12 kilometers from Varanasi, the holy city of Hinduism, Sarnath is a central point of the Buddhist pilgrimage circuit. Sarnath is where Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment and revealed the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path.
Sarnath, the Garden of Spiritual Wisdom, houses Dhamek Stupa, an imposing cylindrical stupa believed to mark the spot of the Buddha’s first sermon; Chaukhandi Stupa, a terraced structure commemorating the spot where the Buddha met his first five disciples; Sarnath Archaeological Museum, a trove of Buddhist artifacts; and Mulagandha Kuti Vihara, a modern temple with beautiful murals depicting the life of the Buddha.
 Parinirvana temple with the Parinirvana Stupa. (Photo: Bao Tram) |
Kushinagar is an important place for Buddhist pilgrims looking for peace of mind and a calm atmosphere. It’s where the Buddha attained nirvana. It’s said that the Buddha travelled all the way to Kushinagar in order to spend his final days there.
 The statue of the Buddha attaining nirvana at Parinirvana temple. (Photo: Bao Tram)
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Here, the peaceful Parinirvana temple offers a solemn robe-offering ritual. Inside the temple is a 6-meter-long statue depicting the Buddha in a reclining position as he entered nirvana. The mantra Namo Sakyamuni Buddha, echoing in a space that is not very big, makes visitors feel warm and solemn as they cover the Buddha with a new robe.
 The Ramabhar Stupa is the place where the Buddha’s body was cremated. (Photo : buddhisttourism.online)
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Other frequently visited destinations include Ramabhar Stupa, the cremation site of the Buddha in Kushinagar, and Shravasti, where the Buddha spent 24 monsoon seasons, performed the "Twin Miracle," and delivered numerous sermons.
Pilgrims can also visit the Ananda Bodhi tree, a sacred tree planted from a sapling from the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, where the Buddha attained enlightenment.
 Visitors under the Ananda Bodhi tree, a sacred tree planted from a sapling from the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya. (Photo: Bao Tram) |
More than just a sightseeing trip, a Buddhist pilgrimage through Uttar Pradesh is a journey of self-discovery. As you walk in the footsteps of the Buddha, you will not only visit historical sites, you will find a profound sense of peace and connection to ancient wisdom. It's an experience that transcends the ordinary and leaves a lasting mark on the soul.
Venerable Thich Tri Minh, who is studying for a PhD at Gautam Buddha University, said, “The Buddha left us a heritage, an extremely valuable culture. Every time we make a pilgrimage to Buddhist sites, it seems to help us feel mercy and wisdom.”
“When we have opportunities to attend important Buddhist rituals at the holy sites, it helps us change our bad habits and escape our thoughts of suffering, greed, anger, and ignorance and become happier and more peaceful. The state is good for ourselves and then for our family members, and everyone around us,” Venerable Thich Tri Minh noted.
“You should visit these Buddhist sites at least once in your life. You should try to experience them with your heart and your feelings, open your soul to truth, mercy, and wisdom, and – above all – change yourself,” Venerable Thich Tri Minh told VOV.
Whether you are a devout Buddhist or simply curious about the history and philosophy of ancient tradition, a journey through Uttar Pradesh will leave you transformed, at least to some extent. So pack your bags, prepare your mind, and embark on this remarkable spiritual adventure.