The Buddhist Circuit

Buddhism in India

Buddhism arose in the 6th Century BCE as a reaction against the strictures of Brahminical Hinduism. The Buddha (Awakened One) is believed to have lived from about 563 to 483 BCE. Formerly a prince (Siddhartha Gautama), the Buddha, at the age of 29, embarked on a quest for emancipation from the world of suffering. He achieved nirvana (the state of full awareness) at Bodhgaya at the age of 35. Critical of the caste system and the unthinking worship of gods, the Buddha urged his disciples to seek truth within their own experiences. Buddha taught that existence is based on:

Four Noble Truths –
1) Life is rooted in suffering;
2) Suffering is caused by craving worldly things;
3) One can find release from suffering by eliminating craving;
4) Way to eliminate craving is by following the Noble Eightfold Path.

Noble Eightfold Path –
1) Right understanding
2) Right intention
3) Right speech
4) Right action
5) Right livelihood
6) Right Effort
7) Right Awarness
8) Right Concentration

By successfully complying with these one can attain Nirvana.

The Buddhist Circuit

The Buddhist (or Lotus) Circuit is a pilgrams trail that follows in the footsteps of Lord Buddha, wending its way primarily through the province of Bihar, where Buddha spent most of his time.
In Bodhgaya, the most sacred of all Buddist sites, lies Mahabodhi Temple, next to the very spot Prince Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment and became the Buddha more than 2500 years ago which also houses a Bodhi tree descended from the original tree Buddha sat under. Next, Sarnath, near Varanasi, is where Buddha first preached his message after achieving enlightenment. Rajgir, Venevamas, and Sapti Pari Cave were where Buddha spent much of his life. Along the way, stop at the ancient philosophical center of learning Nalanda. Then, head northwest to Patna to glimpse sculptures from Buddhist sites at Patna Musuem. North to Kushinagar,the location of Buddha’s death, before crossing the border into Nepal. Finally, to Lumpini, the place of the Buddha’s’ death.