Lumbini is a Buddhist pilgrimage site located at the Nepalese town of
Rupandehi district, near the Indian border. The site is a large garden with a grove of pipal trees. The area around Lumbini is entirely Hindu, but many Buddhist temples / monastries and shrines from various nations are scattered around the holy site itself.
Lumbini is one of four Buddhist pilgrimage sites based on major events in the life of Gautama Buddha.
Interestingly, all of the events occurred under trees of Gautam Budha. The other three sites are in India: Bodh Gaya (enlightenment), Sarnath (first speech), and Kushinagar (death).
Lord Buddha mentioned four places which a religious disciple should visit and look upon with feelings of respect. They are:
Lumbini: Buddha was born
Bodhagaya: Buddha became fully enlightened
Sarnath: Buddha gave first speech after he got enlighten
Kusinagara: Buddha passed away into Nirvana
The authentic history of Lumbini started with the pillar inscription of the famous Indian Maurya Emperor Ashoka guided by his spiritual teacher Upagupta made a pilgrimage to this holy site in 249 B.C.
The famous Chinese pilgrims Tseng Tsai (3rd Century), Fa-Hsien (5th century AD) and
Hiuen-Tsang (7th century AD) visited Lumbini for the pilgrimage purpose.
The visits of the Chinese travelers brought more records out about Lumbini and world knew about Lumbini. Hiuen Tsang's records are the most informative of all for he not only traveled to see Lumbini and other Buddhist sites, but he also maintained a detailed description of his travel.
Khasa King Ripu Malla from Sinja in far western Nepal paid a visit to the holy site. He engraved his name on the top of the Ashokan Pillar dated 1312 “Om mani padme hun Ripu Malla chiranjayatu”.
After a prolonged slumber, Lumbini rose to the sacred site of devotees. Due to the efforts of General Khadga Shamsher Rana, then Governor of Palpa, and Dr. A. Fuhrer, the Asokan Pillar was discovered on Dec. 1, 1896. Archaeologist P.C. Mukherjee conducted excavations in the area in 1899 and published the details in the form of book.
Lumbini is the Fountain of World Peace and sacred pilgrimage shrine of the Buddhists and peace-loving people and a symbol of international brotherhood, peace and prosperity, and helped to project it as a World Peace City.
Mayadevi temple
The heart of the site and the center of attraction of the pilgrims visiting Lumbini is the Maya Devi Temple dedicated to Mayadevi, the mother of Lord Buddha. The holy site witnessed the construction of Maya Devi Temple known as heart of all monuments at this holy site. Emperor Asoka visited Lumbini for a pilgrimage purpose in 249 BC, erected a stone pillar, and built a temple. The reasons unknown, however, the Mayadevi temple disintegrated over the time.
Lumbini was discovered in 1896 and Keshar Shumsher reconstructed the Maya Devi temple in late 1930's. The newly constructed Maya Devi Temple reopened on 16 May 2003. The ground floor consists of the remains of the foundations of the early Maya Devi Temple that dates back to 3rd century B.C to 7the century AD. The sanctum Sanctorum is the birth spot of the Lord Buddha. The upper floor consist an open meditation platform, on which stand a dome and the gold plated shrine pinnacle.
Ashokan Pillar
This is one of the most important monuments, the first epigraphic evidence relating to the life history of Lord Buddha and an authentic historic document of Lumbini. The pillar is standing even today and bearing a very well preserved inscription is made out of the sedimentary rock and sand stone and having three parts viz. cylindrical pillar, the bracket figure and crowning part. The total height of the pillar is 30'10.5" of which 13'8.5" is buried underground and remained erect in place for more than
2600 years. The pillar bears an inscription stating "Hida Budhe Jate Sakyamuni" means Sakyamuni Buddha was born there. The inscription engraved by Indian Emperor Ashoka is still intact and testifies the authenticity of the birthplace.
The text written in Brahmi script and Pali language is translated as follows:
“Twenty years after his coronation, King Priyadarsi, Beloved of Gods visited this spot in person and offered worship at this place, because the Buddha the sage of the Sakyas, was born here. He caused to be built a stonewall around the place and also erected this stone pillar to commemorate his visit. Because the Lord Buddha was born here. He made the village of Lumbini free from taxes and subject to pay only one-eight of the produce as land revenue instead of the usual rate.”
Puskarini holy pond:
The famous and most sacred pond known as Puskarini lies on the southern side of Maya Devi Temple and Ashokan Pillar. It is believed that Maya Devi took a holy dip just before giving the birth to the Lord Buddha and also where the infant Buddha was given his first purified bath. The devotees feel proud and purified from evil effects in the life by washing their face in the pond and some of them take water (jala) with them. It is also known that there are two wells with hot water and cold water for supplying water in the pond, terraced steps and is wrapped up by beautifully layered bricks in 1933-39.
Marker stone: The single most important spot at Lumbini (and to the entire Buddhist world for that matter) is the Marker stone (stone slab-conglomerate) located deep in the Sanctum Sanctorum. It is revealed after a hard and meticulous excavation under the three layers of ruins on the site of Maya Devi Temple in 1996, the stone slab foundation pinpoints the precise location of the original place, making the exact spot of the birthplace of Lord Buddha. The marker stone 70x40x10 cms is now preserved with a covering of bulletproof glass.
Other structural remains: The brick masonry (building materials) foundations, known as the group of stupas and vihars, built in the period of Mauryan, Gupta and Kushana (between the 3rd century BC and 2nd century AD), which are evidence of the early devotees desire to be near to the sacred birthplace.
The Sacred garden: The Sacred Garden is the focal point of the Lumbini including several historical, archaeological monuments around the Maya Devi shrine. Its peaceful, sacred look preserved and restored to it legendary beauty can function as a magnet to attract more pilgrims and tourists. This is the southern part of the Lumbini Master Plan and the plan gave high priority for the preservation of the sacred garden and enclosing it by the circular ponds. Its form, consisting of a circle enclosing a square, embodies the mystic symbol of the universe in its purity and simplicity. The square area is formed with a network of raised walkways between the landscaped area and the archaeological remains. A beautiful garden with a large water body is the new attraction in this shrine complex.
The Central Canal: The Central Canal is the link between the Sacred Garden in the south and the New Lumbini Village in the north of Lumbini Master Plan area. It also divides the Monastic Zone into two enclaves. The purpose of the Central Canal is serve as a means of water transport from friendship bridge to the eternal peace flame, add beauty to the area and be a habitat for aquatic plants and namials. It is 1.5 km long and 16m wide. The pedestrian path and flower belt will lie parallel to the canal.
The Eternal flame (Shantideep): It is the eternal peace flame in Lumbini which is burning as a symbol of world peace.
The Monastic Zone: It is the middle section of the Master Plan. The green zone and the central canal separate the two sections east and west monastic zones set aside for the two major sects of Buddhism- Theravada and Mahayana. There are 42 plots allocated for the construction of the monasteries.
The Lumbini museum: The cultural zone consist Lumbini museum. The museum houses artifacts collected from the site during the excavation in the sacred complex and the areas nearby. It consist ancient coins, religious manuscripts, terracotta fragments, paintings, beads, fragments of the horse capital of the Asoka Pillar, stone and metal sculptures, dresses of different Buddhist sects and replicas of marry images. They are related to the life of Lord Buddha and the history of Lumbini. The building has a moderate seminar hall, large ground floor for display of the objects, office and lab.
The Lumbini chronology is as follows:
563 BCBirth of Gautam Buddha
249 BCPilgrimage visit of Maurya Emperor Ashoka (Installed the Pillar)
3rd Century Pilgrimage visit of Chinese traveler Tseng Tsai
403 AD Pilgrimage visit of Fa-Hien (Fa-Xian)
636 ADPilgrimage visit of Hiuen Tsang (Xuan Zang)
1312 Pilgrimage visit of Ripu Malla from Khasa Kingdom (Jumla)
1896 Excavation of Ashoka pillar by Khadga Shamsher and A. Fuhrer
1899 Excavation work by P.C. Mukherji
1932-39 Excavation work by Kaishar Shamsher
1967 Pilgrimage visit of U.N. Secretary General, U Thant
1970 Formation of U.N. International Committee for Lumbini Development
1985 Lumbini Development Trust
• Excavation of marker stone at the Nativity site
• Lumbini included as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO
Rupandehi district, near the Indian border. The site is a large garden with a grove of pipal trees. The area around Lumbini is entirely Hindu, but many Buddhist temples / monastries and shrines from various nations are scattered around the holy site itself.
Lumbini is one of four Buddhist pilgrimage sites based on major events in the life of Gautama Buddha.
Interestingly, all of the events occurred under trees of Gautam Budha. The other three sites are in India: Bodh Gaya (enlightenment), Sarnath (first speech), and Kushinagar (death).
Lord Buddha mentioned four places which a religious disciple should visit and look upon with feelings of respect. They are:
Lumbini: Buddha was born
Bodhagaya: Buddha became fully enlightened
Sarnath: Buddha gave first speech after he got enlighten
Kusinagara: Buddha passed away into Nirvana
The authentic history of Lumbini started with the pillar inscription of the famous Indian Maurya Emperor Ashoka guided by his spiritual teacher Upagupta made a pilgrimage to this holy site in 249 B.C.
The famous Chinese pilgrims Tseng Tsai (3rd Century), Fa-Hsien (5th century AD) and
Hiuen-Tsang (7th century AD) visited Lumbini for the pilgrimage purpose.
The visits of the Chinese travelers brought more records out about Lumbini and world knew about Lumbini. Hiuen Tsang's records are the most informative of all for he not only traveled to see Lumbini and other Buddhist sites, but he also maintained a detailed description of his travel.
Khasa King Ripu Malla from Sinja in far western Nepal paid a visit to the holy site. He engraved his name on the top of the Ashokan Pillar dated 1312 “Om mani padme hun Ripu Malla chiranjayatu”.
After a prolonged slumber, Lumbini rose to the sacred site of devotees. Due to the efforts of General Khadga Shamsher Rana, then Governor of Palpa, and Dr. A. Fuhrer, the Asokan Pillar was discovered on Dec. 1, 1896. Archaeologist P.C. Mukherjee conducted excavations in the area in 1899 and published the details in the form of book.
Lumbini is the Fountain of World Peace and sacred pilgrimage shrine of the Buddhists and peace-loving people and a symbol of international brotherhood, peace and prosperity, and helped to project it as a World Peace City.
Mayadevi temple
The heart of the site and the center of attraction of the pilgrims visiting Lumbini is the Maya Devi Temple dedicated to Mayadevi, the mother of Lord Buddha. The holy site witnessed the construction of Maya Devi Temple known as heart of all monuments at this holy site. Emperor Asoka visited Lumbini for a pilgrimage purpose in 249 BC, erected a stone pillar, and built a temple. The reasons unknown, however, the Mayadevi temple disintegrated over the time.
Lumbini was discovered in 1896 and Keshar Shumsher reconstructed the Maya Devi temple in late 1930's. The newly constructed Maya Devi Temple reopened on 16 May 2003. The ground floor consists of the remains of the foundations of the early Maya Devi Temple that dates back to 3rd century B.C to 7the century AD. The sanctum Sanctorum is the birth spot of the Lord Buddha. The upper floor consist an open meditation platform, on which stand a dome and the gold plated shrine pinnacle.
Ashokan Pillar
This is one of the most important monuments, the first epigraphic evidence relating to the life history of Lord Buddha and an authentic historic document of Lumbini. The pillar is standing even today and bearing a very well preserved inscription is made out of the sedimentary rock and sand stone and having three parts viz. cylindrical pillar, the bracket figure and crowning part. The total height of the pillar is 30'10.5" of which 13'8.5" is buried underground and remained erect in place for more than
2600 years. The pillar bears an inscription stating "Hida Budhe Jate Sakyamuni" means Sakyamuni Buddha was born there. The inscription engraved by Indian Emperor Ashoka is still intact and testifies the authenticity of the birthplace.
The text written in Brahmi script and Pali language is translated as follows:
“Twenty years after his coronation, King Priyadarsi, Beloved of Gods visited this spot in person and offered worship at this place, because the Buddha the sage of the Sakyas, was born here. He caused to be built a stonewall around the place and also erected this stone pillar to commemorate his visit. Because the Lord Buddha was born here. He made the village of Lumbini free from taxes and subject to pay only one-eight of the produce as land revenue instead of the usual rate.”
Puskarini holy pond:
The famous and most sacred pond known as Puskarini lies on the southern side of Maya Devi Temple and Ashokan Pillar. It is believed that Maya Devi took a holy dip just before giving the birth to the Lord Buddha and also where the infant Buddha was given his first purified bath. The devotees feel proud and purified from evil effects in the life by washing their face in the pond and some of them take water (jala) with them. It is also known that there are two wells with hot water and cold water for supplying water in the pond, terraced steps and is wrapped up by beautifully layered bricks in 1933-39.
Marker stone: The single most important spot at Lumbini (and to the entire Buddhist world for that matter) is the Marker stone (stone slab-conglomerate) located deep in the Sanctum Sanctorum. It is revealed after a hard and meticulous excavation under the three layers of ruins on the site of Maya Devi Temple in 1996, the stone slab foundation pinpoints the precise location of the original place, making the exact spot of the birthplace of Lord Buddha. The marker stone 70x40x10 cms is now preserved with a covering of bulletproof glass.
Other structural remains: The brick masonry (building materials) foundations, known as the group of stupas and vihars, built in the period of Mauryan, Gupta and Kushana (between the 3rd century BC and 2nd century AD), which are evidence of the early devotees desire to be near to the sacred birthplace.
The Sacred garden: The Sacred Garden is the focal point of the Lumbini including several historical, archaeological monuments around the Maya Devi shrine. Its peaceful, sacred look preserved and restored to it legendary beauty can function as a magnet to attract more pilgrims and tourists. This is the southern part of the Lumbini Master Plan and the plan gave high priority for the preservation of the sacred garden and enclosing it by the circular ponds. Its form, consisting of a circle enclosing a square, embodies the mystic symbol of the universe in its purity and simplicity. The square area is formed with a network of raised walkways between the landscaped area and the archaeological remains. A beautiful garden with a large water body is the new attraction in this shrine complex.
The Central Canal: The Central Canal is the link between the Sacred Garden in the south and the New Lumbini Village in the north of Lumbini Master Plan area. It also divides the Monastic Zone into two enclaves. The purpose of the Central Canal is serve as a means of water transport from friendship bridge to the eternal peace flame, add beauty to the area and be a habitat for aquatic plants and namials. It is 1.5 km long and 16m wide. The pedestrian path and flower belt will lie parallel to the canal.
The Eternal flame (Shantideep): It is the eternal peace flame in Lumbini which is burning as a symbol of world peace.
The Monastic Zone: It is the middle section of the Master Plan. The green zone and the central canal separate the two sections east and west monastic zones set aside for the two major sects of Buddhism- Theravada and Mahayana. There are 42 plots allocated for the construction of the monasteries.
The Lumbini museum: The cultural zone consist Lumbini museum. The museum houses artifacts collected from the site during the excavation in the sacred complex and the areas nearby. It consist ancient coins, religious manuscripts, terracotta fragments, paintings, beads, fragments of the horse capital of the Asoka Pillar, stone and metal sculptures, dresses of different Buddhist sects and replicas of marry images. They are related to the life of Lord Buddha and the history of Lumbini. The building has a moderate seminar hall, large ground floor for display of the objects, office and lab.
The Lumbini chronology is as follows:
563 BCBirth of Gautam Buddha
249 BCPilgrimage visit of Maurya Emperor Ashoka (Installed the Pillar)
3rd Century Pilgrimage visit of Chinese traveler Tseng Tsai
403 AD Pilgrimage visit of Fa-Hien (Fa-Xian)
636 ADPilgrimage visit of Hiuen Tsang (Xuan Zang)
1312 Pilgrimage visit of Ripu Malla from Khasa Kingdom (Jumla)
1896 Excavation of Ashoka pillar by Khadga Shamsher and A. Fuhrer
1899 Excavation work by P.C. Mukherji
1932-39 Excavation work by Kaishar Shamsher
1967 Pilgrimage visit of U.N. Secretary General, U Thant
1970 Formation of U.N. International Committee for Lumbini Development
1985 Lumbini Development Trust
• Excavation of marker stone at the Nativity site
• Lumbini included as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO
No comments:
Post a Comment