Places of Peace and Teaching: The Legacy of Buddha

Throughout human history, there has only been a handful of individuals who have left an indelible mark that remains strong even in today’s modern times. One such remarkable person was, without a doubt, Lord Buddha, the founder and propagator of Buddhism. Lord Buddha was born in a place called Lumbini, in present-day Nepal, bordering India, and throughout his life, he spread his teachings across much of these countries. Today, Buddhism is an important world religion that stretches across much of India, Nepal, China, and other parts of Southeast Asia. The indelible mark of Buddhism attracts millions of people, and the Buddhist circuit is a major attraction in both countries. If you plan to visit the regions of India and Nepal, it would be advisable to study some of the most visited places to ensure that your vacation is perfect.

Lumbini:
This is where Lord Buddha spent most of his life until he was about 29 years old. The place is located at the foot of the Himalayan mountain range and is one of the most visited places in Nepal. It is said that there is a pond here where Buddha’s mother bathed before giving birth to Lord Buddha. The place is said to provide a great sense of peace to visitors and is one of the most important sites on the Buddha Circuit.

Bodh Gaya:
This place has gained importance simply because it was under this Bodhi tree that he attained Nirvana or absolute Salvation and became the legend he is. Today, in addition to the main temple complex surrounding the tree, there are a number of amazing temples built by Thai, Japanese, and other devotees that are spectacular and must be seen to believe the splendor.

Kushinagar:
After Lord Buddha left this earthly existence, his remains were buried here in Kushinagar, and a giant stupa was built in his honor at this site. This place is located in the state of Uttar Pradesh in northern India, and you can see a giant statue of the reclining Buddha that was excavated after many years of being forgotten.

Saravasti:
This place in Uttar Pradesh is famous because Lord Buddha spent much of his life in several monasteries that existed during his time. While he was here, he also delivered a great number of his famous sermons and speeches that radically changed the way people thought at that time in history.

Sarnath:
Not far from the holy city of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh is the famous site called Sarnath. The place is significant for the Buddhist circuit because right after attaining Nirvana, he gave his first sermon here to five of his closest disciples. It was here that the Sangha, or brotherhood, was founded, which later spread his teachings everywhere.

Rajgir:
Near the ancient ruins of Nalanda in Bihar lies Rajgir, one of the most famous sites for Buddhist tourism. It is a very mountainous place, and it is believed that Buddha spent a considerable amount of time here, as well as in the numerous monasteries during his time.