Dhamma Yatra 2014-2015 Part-II

Lets Start with 2nd Part of Yatra

:

KushiNagar (MahaParinibbana of BUDDHA)

After Birth Place of Buddha we headed to the Parinibanna place of Buddha.
While returning from Lumbini we dident give bribe to any checkpost and things works J.  In Kushinagar we reach at night and stayed at Chandramani Buddha Vihara. Its just next to Rambhar Supa. The facilities are good in Vihara clean and nice. Its for monk residence but Sometimes Vipassana courses organized there. Next morning we visited the stupa where Buddha cremated known as Rambhar Stupa.  After that we visited different places like  Bodhi tree where relics of Buddha divide to 8 kingdoms, then to NirvanaTemple where Buddha took his last breath, We meditated there for an hour. 

Rambhar Stupa

Bodhi Tree

Last Words of Buddha

Nirvana Temple

No Donation Please. First site I encountered where this is written

Miditating Inside Temple

While visiting places we enjoyed free sugarcane offered by villagers. Some Amigos are very fond of animals like street dogs, they start loving them. I hate this, because once dog bite me in Juhu beach Mumbai, and i had to took many injections. I said love Humans ;). There was pet elephant walking on road with his owner, some were so happy to saw it, I felt like they saw it first time in life, might be its unusual in brazil to see elephant on streets ;).

Enjoying SugarCane

Fernanda :- OH MY GOD I Saw Elephant  ;)

Sheck-hand ;) (offering Banana)

 Near to that  temple there is Burmese monastery to visit, but it was closed that day. Next to that Yam Cafe,We had lunch at Yam café which doesn’t provide good service n food, 1.5hrs for small order.  But still it is famous don’t know why.. Needless while walking we enjoyed Awesome Samosa and Chai(tea). Near to that there was Khadi(cotton) market, shopkeeper said much expensive when Amigos ask price, and when I ask alone they said cheap especially Kurta, and shawl. after some shopping all were free to do excursion, some visited thai monastery which looks like Royal hotel ;) and other places nearby. I prefer to meditate at Nirvana temple till it closed in evening. All the places are on walking distance. 

Burmese Monastery ;)

Delicious Samosa with Tea ;)

In evening I was so hungry and driver called me that I m preparing Litti Chokha(local food of northen India especially UP & Bihar) would you like to eat, I said Offcourse but want more spicy ;)   I never had this food before and it was awesome. Its just Litti:- ball of wheat baked in charcoal and chokha:- type of Vegetable made of roasted  bringle and then mixed with oil chillis and spices.. Due to Sankhara when was I meditating alone for couple of hrs in night others were enjoy that LittiChokha n it was good for them, NO SPICY.

Litti-Chokha

Main Thing about Kushinagar that it may or may not be original place of Buddha’s Maha Parinibbana. Because recently there is one site known as Rampurva where ashokan pillar and stupa discovered , Pillar describe the Parinibbana of Buddha. When Ashoka did Buddhist pilgrimage he established the Sandstone Pillar at every site. But the current Kushinagar site don’t have these kind of pillars. In my viewThere might be confusion while locating the places, current crimination place called Ramabhara and the recent site called as Rampurwa. So might be due to that confusion researcher declared rambhara as cremenating place because its under kushingar and Rampurwa was unknown. That’s my personal opinion and guesses but sometimes my guesses are correct J

After spending 2nights at kushingar; On 8^th Jan We headed to Vaishali

KESARIA STUPA

Kesaria Stupa is in between Kushinagar and Vaishali, this stupa recently came into light.

While coming from Kushingar to kesaria we had passed through Gopalganj area in Bihar state. On the Highway of Gopalganj, local people blocked the road by spreading empty LPG cooking gas cylinder on road because from many days they didn’t get LPG. Driver didn’t know the other way so we decided to check how long it will take. Me, Dalton and Fernanda walking on road and found truck of sugar cane, I took out some sugarcane and we were enjoying that, during this someone approached us and wanted to took pictures later he told me he is reporter from some local news paper and he will put this into newspaper with photos, how these foreigner suffered and when they didn’t found any way they started enjoying sugarcane. Also, that reporter told us the other way to go, so we took that other way which is canal road..

Dhammayatra 2014-15 Successful after getting in News ;) 

In Afternoon we reached Kesaria Stupa. It is one of the most important site to visit because it is believed that it still has one major part of Buddha’s relics and its world largest stupa. Luckily we met one person from archeology and he explained many things, History and the upcoming work which is supposed to be done. The History of this stupa is as follows. After the Mahaprinibbana of Buddha his relics were given to 8 Kingdoms. 1)To Ajatsattu- King of Magadha 2)TO the Licchavis of Vesali   3) To the Sakyas of KapilVastu  4) TO the Bulis of Allakappa 5) TO the Kollyas of Ramagama. 6) To the Brahmin of Vethdipa. 7) To the Mallas of Pava 8) To the Mallas of Kusinara.  When Ashoka was emperor he took all these relics of Buddha from respective places/stupa except This kesaria and built 84000stupa and enriched the relics of Buddha into these 84000 stupa. He excluded the kesaria because this place related to 3 important incident of Buddha.

1)      Buddha was born as Chakravarti Samrat (emperor of the world) at that place

2)      When Buddha renounced his life as Prince he became an ascetic and first robe was given to Buddha by his teacher Alara Kalama at this place which was Kesar coloured (dark orange).

3)      Before 3 months when Buddha announced his Mahaparinibbana and started walking towards Kapilvastu (but he died in kusinara due to diahria) then licchavis of Vaishali followed him and Buddha stop this place and gave his begging bowl to the licchavis and told them to return to vaishali.
 So as World emperor in previous life, renunciation of prince and took robe as ascetic then last farewell by Licchavis all these 3 important events of Buddha related to this place.

                                                       Explaination By Archeology Person

           Group one can see the Idols of Buddha on Stupa and we are standing on Stupa which was under 6meter from gound
                          

Sage Silvio

Panoramic View

Complete Design

Top View OF Stupa

When Ajatshatru built this stupa he enriched the relics of heart part of Buddha. Knowing these facts Ashoka did not opened this stupa and built bricks stupa around original mud stupa. It is octagonal shape of inverted lotus flower. And has eight storey’s structure. Out of the eight only 6 are excavated 2 storeys still under the ground. Present height is from 6^th storey ground is 32.5 meter. Original height is 52meter means 170.6feet. At all 8 corner, idol of Buddha placed and they have the roof around it but now it’s destroyed. Almost all idols were scattered & broken.

Broken Idol

Broken Idol

                              After nice lunch in Kesaria we headed toward Vaishali..

Spicy Delicious Food without Chilli :)

Vaishali

In the night we reached Vaishali and stayed at Srilankan Mahabodhi society Vihara, After metta we took rest as we were tired.  It was very foggy in morning we couldn’t  see anything beyond 1meter. After breakfast we went to Japanese Shanti Stupa. Meditate there for an hour, then went to Licchavi stupa where licchavi place the one major part of the relics of Buddha. This stupa is surrounded by garden and its in the center of that garden. While meditating at Licchavi Stupa, one Vietnamese group of people/monk n nun came. They started chanting, It was very different, they use instrumental sound while chanting, might be calling Buddha, "Hey Buddha Above the cloud listen we praise you;)". After meditation there we met two Thai monks who were student, it was nice chitchat with them.

Foggy Morning, Even Sun Looks like street lamp ;)

Shanti Stupa By Japnese

Licchavi Stupa

Licchavi Stupa

Meditation

Thai Monks

Vietnamese Peoples/monks n nuns(dont know exactly about them?)

.After Licchavi Stupa, We went to Ashokan pillar is. That place was known as kolhua and Buddha gave his last sermon on that place before heading to Kushinagar. The Ashokan pillars everywhere are marvelous example of the art and technique of that period. These sandstone pillars still have that shine We again start meditating there. 

Meditating 

View from Backside Garden

Description

Dhamma Brotheres

 Outside this stupa there were some people selling lemons. First time in my life I saw lemon of that size. So BIG like pumpkin, might be its hybrid of lemon and some other fruit. 

OMG BIG Lemon

After nice lunch @food villa, we headed to Nalanda.

Waiting For Food

Waiting For Food

As the Days passed and Journey Comes to an End I felt very sad, I console myself why sad this is life, after sunrise there is sunset for another sunrise. ANICCA 
I think I am writing Novel ;) bear for next Part till then Meditate ;)

Dhamma Yatra 2014-2015, Part -1

Hello Friends,

Today I come with the Very Interesting, Memorable part of my travel and life. It’s the Buddhist pilgrimages with Brazilian group; We named it as “A DHAMMAYATRA 2014-2015”.

The planning for this tour was started over a year ago. Robson a friend from Brazil ask me that some Vipassana meditator interested to do Buddhist pilgrimage in India so find some cheap travel agent. I found agent but later we end up to do it ourselves. As there were less people and no travel agent ready to do it in cheap rates for small group, Pariyatti charge more for the same 20 days schedule.

Robson include one more person named Tatya I didn’t know him before.  He was going to help in our pilgrimage, like going 1day before in advance to each place to check everything is OK (rooms/food etc.). 

At first it was very difficult to arrange things such as to get the monasteries/hotels contacts also good vehicle in cheap rates, many agencies charge more and have more condition this and that; also pilgrimage students were not confirmed so difficult to arrange proper tickets. According to students needs, dates & route; reschedule many times. Due to working pressure I couldn’t give full attention to the pilgrimage. When I about to loose the things n became helpless; I got the courage with these word's “Don’t Worry Dhamma Will Help You” and Dhamma Works J. I found one person who help me with vehicle and for monasteries some contact from internet. some from call to call everywhere. At last moment when everything was organized, I was about to cancel my entry due to professional reason but I felt Robson need me then I had to manage. Well leave the boring part and let’s start with real part of this blog.

Sanchi

Actually this pilgrimage starts from Mumbai at global pagoda. Robson show them global pagoda, stayed there for one day. Some came before to sat STP and luckily with them former President of India also sat. Also they get chance to met Mataji(goenkaji’s wife). After one day at global they headed towards Dhamma Giri Igatpuri(my 2^nd home during college days ;) ). One day there with strong vibration.

Global Pagoda From Ferry

Global pagoda with Ashokan pillar

Buddha's Idol donated by Burma, Ingaurated By Goenkaji on Buddha Purnima(Full Moon) in May 2010

Global Pagoda from inside

DhammaaPata Center at Global

Crowed during one Day Mega course with Goenkaji at Global

DhammaGiri-Entrance of Spiritual Jail :)

DhammaGiri

With Mataji

(from Left Fabio,Silvio,Mauro,Mataji,Dalton,Robson)

Whole group of 9 peoples came to Sanchi on 29^th Dec. I was unable to book Srilankan Monastery as there is some festival in Sanchi. On 29^th  I came to Sanchi early in morning to check the hotel and welcome them, hotel was ok  with poor service but I had no other choice in cheap rates  and I felt just one night here so let it go. I went to Bhopal to pick-up the group with vehicle “Toofan”  it was perfect according to requirement for short travel  10peoples in one car J.  After 1Hr of journey from Bhopal, when we came to that hotel I was correct about hotel. People don’t like it and we had to change it instantly. We moved to other hotel (Hotel Sambodhi) which was expensive but good. We had nice dinner, after that, metta session in hotel, manager arranged place for evening metta and morning chanting.

TOOFAN CAR Perfect Choice ;) 

Evening meditation and metta at Hotel Sambodhi :)

Evening meditation and metta at Hotel Sambodhi :)

Next day After B/F we headed to  Sanchi Stupa it was 2km walk from hotel. First we visited a museum which is small and good. One section was under progress which contains the Ashokan Pillar (4 Lion)big size; then moved to sanchi stupa. There is Vihara where the relics of Sariputta & Maha Moggalana are kept. According to museum staff, it is available to see for public only once in year and I think its last Sunday of November month. We meditate at some places there; which are important. Like stupa no 2 and 3 which still has relics of Arahants. The important of this place is that those stupa's was one of the 1^st built by Ashoka after embracing buddha’s teaching. Construction was done under the surveillance of his wife Devi because she was the princes of that area. Also it’s well preserved and maintained which reflects the superiority of the art of that period.

2K.M. Walk Begins

Vihara where Sariputta and MahaMoggalan relics are.

.

Stupa

Impresive Ancient Art, Each Column represent Jatak Story

Ashokan Pillar, 4Lion part in Museum, still shining n soft

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Pieces of Pillar (some Village person broke this pillar n kept in his house later on it took back by archaeology dept.)

Map Of Sanchi

On the way to Smalla Stupa

meditate at this stupa.

Amigos :) - me, fabio, dalva, fernanda, Robson, Mauro, Dalton, Silvio, Silvia, Paulet

King of Sanchi garden Resting

Hey Get Out

 After visiting places we came back to hotel for lunch but on the way Robson lost valet and some money, when we searched, nobody told anything due to big money. I felt its not good thing, Indian guest are passed through these kinds of things it creates bad image of India so I decided to lodge complaint to police; hoping they will act instantly as they have connection everywhere but at the end I had to face through checking and questioning in isolation. I never faced police for any crime. But this had also passed J.  Then we moved Bhopal in evening to catch the train to Gonda (shravasti). 

In Bhopal we visited Center DhammaPala which is very nice and has separate room for each meditator, facilities are good and also its in Hill next to Kedva water Dam 15km from city. In Bhopal there is good market called New Market. You can get everything I guessed J. Amigos purchase warm cloth to face winter in North J.   

Dining Hall @DhammaPala Bhopal

                                           

Single Room for students 

Silvio:-Hey I wanna Sit Course now ;) (Agora-now)

Shopping, Dalva:- Look how costly, Brazil is cheap :)

In midnight we catch the train to Gonda . We traveled through Sleeper Class due to insufficient tickets in AC. In midnight all started cleaning compartment, I was shocked but then I realize its in their culture  to clean and its in Indian culture to litter, In morning I clean wash basin as something stuck which prevent water flow. I used pen to let the pass water and left it there so that other will do same. One girl came to brush teeth, I told her if water stocked u should used pen n let the water flow, she angrily said “do I come to clean the things here” and she left to other place to brush. I said myself “look the difference between east and West, our prime minister promoting fake clean India movement without providing dustbin, education and awareness of cleanliness.” 

Waiting For Train at Bhopal Station

After everybody woke up,  we had breakfast & Lunch of dry fruits. Waited for Gonda to come with thirsty eyes, but train was delayed and delayed ;) 

Breakfast & Lunch ;)

OMG when We'll reach

Oh I forget to mentioned about the name of peoples in Group, the names are males- Robson, Dalton, Mauro, Fabio, Silvio and myself. Females Paulet, Dalva, Fernanada and Silvia.  Tatya joined later in shravasti

Shravasti

Our train got delayed by 3hrs due to FOG but we are lucky only 3hrs J finally we reached Gonda in night where Tatya waiting for us with Vehicle. From Gonda we went to Vipassana center, Robson managed to get permission to stay at Center and on last moment we cancel Korean monastery at shravasti. DhammaSuvatti Center at Shravasti is nice and well organized with facilities.

 Pagoda in DhammaSuvatti Center 

Male Residance Guarded by Monkeys ;)

Next morning we visited places like Jetvan(Jet=name of the prince, Van=Forest) donated by Merchant Anathpindak where Buddha spent his some monsoon retreat. The place where Buddha stayed called as “MulgandhKuti”. The name is same everywhere(monasteries) Buddha stayed.  We meditated with sutta in Mulgandhkuti. The Anand Bodhi tree which is the branch of original bodhi tree still in the jetvan. There is one well in Jetvana, It is said that, "this well used to provide drinking water for Buddha

DhSuvatti Course Manager @ Mulgandakuti enterance (when buddha absent here, peoples pay homage at enterance)

Description 

Ruins of Jetvana

Holy Water Taste ;) Hand pump connected to Well 

Origional Anand Bodhi Tree. It is supported with those iron column

meditation @ MulgandhKuti

Aliens @Jetvan :)

 It was raining in afternoon and next whole day it was raining continuously so we visited few places like ruins of Anathpindak palace, Angulimala stupa, Chinese Monastery(now under Indian local Aquisition) etc. We missed some places like Rapti River, mother vishakha palace(ruins) and thai temple which is seems to be attractive, it was closed due to some thai program.  Last few hrs at shravasti was very good. Some did shopping in local market, n especially Silvio shaved his hair, some local peoples gathered outside saloon to watch. When peoples talk with the Amigos n taking pictures with them; we were the center of attraction than these holly places like “JETVAN” etc and I felt like; I am with aliens J.

Raining ;). Pic seems like Indian Marriage when Bride leave the parental home ;) 

Ruins of palace of AnathPindaka

Chinese Monastery

WelCome to Thai Temple; Oops its Closed ;)

Bald Silvio 

In afternoon we headed to Lumbini

LUMBINI  (Birth Place Of Buddha)

 In Afternoon we headed to Lumbini the birth place of Buddha in Nepal.  Its 5-6 Hrs Jorney to Nepal at one point we saw Lumbini only 20km from some road(shortcut) but we can’t go from there because there is no check-post for visa etc. so we had to make round 70km and I think Dalwa was upset with this and questioned Robson, she diden’t know NEPAL still don’t have their Constitution due to continuous activity of moist. On Indian check-post we had to give bribe to someone because driver already scared me it takes more time so to make it quick we have to give bribe and it was already night so to make it hassle free and easy we paid.  On Nepal check-post it was easy no problem but still they ask me then I said I am not agent I am just helping them and you should not ask them it spoil your country Image.
 So sometimes you should not listen anyone; see the situation and do what you feel. But sometimes I got scared and don’t want to take any risk which could spoil pilgrimage.

We Reached Lumbini at Korean Monastery in night around 9pm. After metta session we took rest. The Korean monastery is nice and cheap place including Food, food is nice.  While booking I thought it won’t be comfortable for Brazilians 4person in 1 room but it’s OK. Rooms are sufficiently big and easily 4 person can accommodate there but they have certain rule Indian/Nepalese can’t stay with westerner floor so Tatya told about me that I am ShriLankan J. But Tatya had to stay separate. First time I was outside India, felt like foreigner and Tatya authenticate me as foreignerJ.

Thank God Korean eat Rice ;)

Korean Monastery

Our Ride for 20Days.

 Next day after morning chanting we went to Vihara/garden where Buddha Born.  Inside Vihara, We sat on the side of wall meditate for an hour and surprising thing nobody disturb us not even security guards. Sometimes its good to be with foreigner to do the things which might be not allowed but important. Near to Birth Place there is Ahokan Pillar which has some inscription in Brahmi script but in Pali language, Nepal govt. doing good deciphered brahmi inscription into pali and then translate into English on metal plate. whereas Indian govt left it as it is at Buddhist shrines. In afternoon we visited DhammaJanani Vipassana center, there we sat afternoon group sitting. This center is nice with good vibration due to its location.. After that we went check some places like museum but it was closed so some people did shopping in market which is in-front of the museum, Its expensive there even for Indians they say high price. In India same thing could get in cheap rates especially in Bodhgaya.

Pesso infront of Temple/birthplace Garden

Ashokan Pillar (Pali in Brahmi script)

Infront of Small Buddha Idol

Side View of Birthplace of Garden

Backside of Garden

Tea@DhammaJanani Center.

Next Day; Again we had morning GS in Dhammajanani then we visited Sujata Nunery and Went to vihara/garden for meditation It was cold that time. Me, Robson and Mauro was meditating inside one tree. Due to cold I cover myself completely my shawl is of robe colour(dark red-brown). While meditating with sutta, somebody comes to me and put some money(10rs) Inside my shawl. For a moment I disturb by movement, then I saw 10rs inside and somebody was walking. One woman was staring but I ignore and start meditating, after an hour we saw coins infront of us. So that lady put coin for each J. I thought, look how peoples are scared of God and some people take advantage of that for doing business. Inside temple also many people throw money and some money deposited in ground nobody pick up. While in que inside temple, a lady behind me carrying money in hand to offer to Buddha’s idol, I told why you giving money to Buddha and making him corrupt, he was the prince and renounce his life of prince and became a ascetic and get enlightenment, walk on his path, follow his teaching u will get benefits. So she put it down inside purse but my sermons were just for few minute when she was near idol she picked up money and offer J.. People are so scare and the Manager of GOD giving them wrong number (watch “PK” movie for wrong number). Till Lunch time we were free to do the things, so some visited Chinese temple, Shantistupa etc.

Shanti Stupa

Burmese Monastery

meditating and earn some money ;)

Tibetian Monastery built by Germans

Nepali Monastery

In Afternoon we headed to Kapilvastu the kingdom of Buddha or you can say Prince Siddhartha. There are 3-4 sites to visit in Kapilvastu. 1) Ruines of Siddhartha palace 2)twin stupa where his parents criminated 3)Previous Buddha “Kakusandha” (25^th Buddha) 4) Previous Buddha “Konagamana” also known as kanakmuni and 5) place where Buddha ardent his son into sangha. These all places are with 30km area and must be visited. To visit these places you have to hire guide but whatever places he showed,  visit and know the place but don’t believe in complete history they will told, they tell you which they were taught. They mix the things with hinduism and sometimes they are wrong.Sometimes I had argument but others made me silent.(I'll write on wrong infos guide gave)  Well the place of Kakusandha Buddha is in village. It has broken Ashokan Pillar and there is stupa which was not yet excavated. 

Robson Checking in Bookswhere is Buddha, Fernanda Checking on Google GPS  ;)

Inside Ruins palace of Buddha meditating for sometimes

Twin Stupa (cremination Place of Buddhas Parents)

Ashokan Pillar Which Describe the Previous Buddha Konagamana through pali inscription on it

Idol of Konagamana

Kudan Place where (Robe was given to Buddha and later on his mother and Son Rahula took Robe) In 6th Century AdiShankarachrya tried to convert this place into Hindu temple. This Shivalinga is explains everything.

Description of Kudan

When we entered in village whole kids in the village followed us, it was unbelievable, before I felt like, I am with alien and after looking at the crowed of children’s it got proved that I was with aliensJ. Many were come to just see that foreigner comes to our village. Mauro taught them something in Portuguese even I didn’t understand what he taughtJ, but might be some poem in Portuguese. Some kids just followed us, some were asking money, and at the end we bought some packets of chocolates and handover to one elder person who distributed to those all children’s. 

Broken Ashokan Pillar Which Describe the birth place of previous Buddha Kakusandha Below that Tree there is Stupa which is not excavated yet.

Teacher Mauro

       

Alien In Village :)

Alien In Village :)

Next Day In morning some went to Chinese temple which is in front of Korean monastery to attained chanting; Robson said Chinese perform more rituals like doing sit-ups, bowing head many times and it was funny…….

It was pleasant stay in Lumbini very strong vibration, the vihara is seclude by some few km area also known as “Peace Zone” No hotels No business, No other religious temple inside peace zone. Only monasteries and PEACE. In that strong vibration places, many sankhara comes up especially when you are a meditator. Some sankhara of one student came up to run away from pilgrimage and to sit course at center or do other things but not pilgrimage, when her sankhara settled down, those comes to me in Lumbini and I wanted to leave, because I felt I don’t need them anymore.Then I just meditated alone see the things and realized “Oh MARA this is you” then things get settled and passed away. So when anybody join this kind of pilgrimage then know that its Mara who making obstacles by creating doubts.

                
                       Chinese Monastery

Behind; Himalayan Mountains n Shanti Stupa

Seclude Peace Zone 

Seclude Peace Zone 

Till Lumbini I was familiar with all group and opened myself by making stupid jokes some dont like but they laugh :). The Service you will get from me, Free Internet,Help in Ticket Booking etc ;)   Now I understand the two words "Vomos Pesso" & Obrigado ;). Good enough to adjust ;)
My favorite is
"Vomos pesso=Lets Go People" To Next Place


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