Buddha Groove: Buddha Quotes | Buddha Statues Meaning | Buddhist Traditions

Visiting Spiritual Nepal

A visit to Nepal would be incomplete without sampling some of its sacred treasures, especially those that are part of the great arc of spirituality stretching from India across south and south-east Asia.

 

Swayambhunath

Perched on a hill in the Greater Kathmandu Valley, Swayambhunath is a Buddhist temple. “Swayambhu” means “self-created” and refers to the belief that the hill emerged spontaneously from the great lake that once covered Kathmandu Valley. It is also known as the Monkey Temple, thanks to large simian population that lives here and feeds off pilgrim offerings. The Buddha’s serene visage bears a nose, shaped like a question mark. It stands for Ek or One, a symbol of the oneness of life. Behind the stupa is a shrine dedicated to Hariti, Hindu goddess of smallpox who is also considered a Buddhist deity.

 

Bodhnath Stupa

This Buddhist shrine was built around 600 AD by King Songsten Gampo whose Nepali wife converted him to Buddhism (his other queen was Chinese). With the arrival of thousands of Tibetans in 1959, Bodhnath has become an important center of Tibetan Buddhism. From the air, the complex resembles a huge mandala (Buddhist representation of the cosmos). Looking out at the mountains from the base of the stupa, with the chants of Om Mani Padme Hum echoing softly around is a deeply calming experience.

 

Lumbini

Close to the Indian border in the district of Rupandehi is Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautama Buddha. Surrounding Lumbini is a zone dedicated to various schools of Buddhism. Visitors can see the ancient bathing pond, Puskarni, where the Buddha’s mother, Maya Devi, is believed to have bathed before giving birth.  When the Emperor Asoka came visiting to pay his respects, a pillar was erected to mark the occasion; it was found during nineteenth century excavations.  A Bodhi tree and temple dedicated to Maya Devi complete the tranquil ambiance of Lumbini.


The Buddhist Experience at The Grand Palace

Arriving in Bangkok after a 14-hour flight can make one weary. Thailand’s oppressive heat can also slow down an excited tourist. But there is one thing that can energize even the sleepiest of travelers: The Grand Palace.

The Grand Palace, or Phra Borom Maha Ratcha Wang, is a series of buildings in the heart of Bangkok meant for both royal functions and for Buddhist worship. Built in the late 18th century, many Thai kings have lived here.

If you are non-Buddhist visiting a holy Buddhist temple there are many questions that arise and new experiences to be had. But for everyone – Buddhist and non-Buddhist – the sparkling gold domes and the reverence of those worshipping is inspiring. At The Grand Palace everyone is welcome as long as a few rules are followed.

Here are a few things you should know before visiting The Grand Palace or any other Buddhist temple.

• Men and women have equal status within the Buddhist tradition so everyone is welcome in all areas of the temple (unless there are signs that say you can’t, of course)
  Knees and shoulders must be covered.
• When entering a temple structure remove your shoes. Also, sit down on the floor quickly and be sure there is room around you for other visitors.It is okay for a non-Buddhist to light incense, which is an offering. Only do so in designated areas and offer a small donation in exchange for the incense sticks.
• If you wish not to donate money (Thai Bhat), you can also offer food. You may notice that Buddhist monks and nuns collect food for their own eating.
• During prayer a Buddhist may touch his or her forehead to the ground one or more times. You are not required to do this if you don’t feel comfortable. However, do sit quietly and focus your energies on the positive.
• Do not take pictures of a nun or monk praying. It’s also rude to touch a monk or nun or ask to have a photo taken together.

 While the rules are important, it is more important to enjoy the Buddhist experience by relaxing and observing. At The Grand Palace, it’s easy to do just that.

Pilgrimage

Many religions stress the importance of going on pilgrimages or journeys to holy places. In Buddhism, these places are where the Buddha lived and taught, with four places considered the most holy. One is in Nepal and the other three are in India. It is thought the Buddha was born in Nepal in an area called Lumbini, situated in the foothills of the Himalayas.

The Indian pilgrimage sites include Bodh Gaya, where the Buddha attained enlightenment; Sarnath (sometimes called Deer Park), where the Buddha first taught after being enlightened and Kusinara, the town where the Buddha died. All of these places now have many monks and landmarks to help cater to the weary pilgrims. Kunisara now has a handsome temple that houses a reclining golden Buddha

Famous Buddhist Temples

• In Polonnaruwa (Sri Lanka) is a huge reclining figure of the dying Buddha, and beside him stands a 7.5 meter tall stone statue of his disciple, Ananda.


• In Kandy (Sri Lanka), a temple is said to house a tooth of the Buddha. Legend has it that the tooth was removed while the Buddha lay on his funeral pyre. Princess Hemamali smuggled it into Sri Lanka in 313 AD, hiding the tooth in her hair.


• The famous “Emerald Buddha” is in Bangkok’s Wat Phra Kaeo temple. This tiny icon is carved from jade, and many wars have been waged for its possession. No one except the Thai king is allowed near it. The king conducts rituals at the temple housing the emerald Buddha throughout the year. The tiny green statue remains a tangible symbol of the Thai nation, and it is feared that removal of the image from Bangkok will signify the end of the present ruling dynasty, the Chakri dynasty.


• The Borobudur Temple complex in Indonesia is constructed from lava rock. Its many terraced levels are inspired by the lotus flower, and it represents the Buddhist concept of the universe.


• In Lhasa, Tibet, is the famous Potala Palace where the Dalai Lama spent his childhood years. Today this magnificent, striking building is a state museum housing countless 17th century Buddhist artifacts such as thankas, murals, mandalas, and altars.


• The world’s tallest outdoor seated bronze Buddha is on Lan Tau Island near Hong Kong.


• The largest Buddha statue in India is in the middle of a lake in Hyderabad, India. It is 18 meters tall and weighs 350 tons.


• The world’s tallest Buddha statue carved out of a mountain is in Pattaya, Thailand. It is 130 meters high and 70 meters wide.


• The second largest carved statue of the Buddha (71 meters high) is in Sichuan, China. It is carved out of the Lingyun Mountain. The statue is so big that a hundred people can sit in a row between its feet.