Jeṭhian-Rājgir Dhamma Walk along the Buddha trail

We are glad that Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, Nalanda in collaboration with Light of Buddha Dhamma Foundation International (LBDFI), International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC), Mahabodhi Society of India and Sarvodaya Group has successfully completed the Jeṭhian-Rājgir Dhamma Walk along the Buddha trail. More than 1500 venerable monks, nuns and lay people walked the 13 km Buddha trail from Jeṭhian to Veḷuvana, Rājgir.  The Walk was led by the more than 600 venerable monks and nuns from 15 countries under the banner of International Tipitaka Chanting Council (ITCC).

The venue at the village Jeṭhian

Jeṭhian–Rājgir Heritage Walk, 13th December, 2014

Date: 13^th December, 2014

Time: 12.30 pm

Starting point: Supatiṭṭha Cetiya, Jeṭhian 

Ending point: Veḷuvana (Bamboo groove), Rājgir

  

•  The Walk will be lead by 700 venerable monks and nuns from different countries and traditions under the banner of INTERNATIONAL TIPITAKA CHANTING COUNCIL (ITCC)

•  An important highlight of the Event is plantation of 700 Bamboo saplings of different varieties by Mahāsaṇgha of ITCC at Veḷuvana (Bamboo groove), Rājgir, the ending point of the Walk.

Discovery of Buddhavana

Buddhavana a very significant pilgrimage place associated with the Buddhacārikā (sublime wandering of the Buddha) as mentioned by the 7th century monk-scholar from China Ven. Xuanzang has finally been located. Venerable Xuanzang in his travelogue Ta-Tʻang-His-Yü-Chi (Records of the Western Lands of the Great Tʻang Period) described a place called “Buddhavana” which he visited while going from Kukkuṭapāda Mountain (also Gurupada present day Gurpa) to Yaṣṭhivana (present day Jeṭhian) (fig-1). The Cave as described by Vnerable Xuanzang was on the steep side of precipitous hill where the Buddha stayed for one night. In subsequent centuries the Cave became a sacred place for the followers of the teachings of the Buddha. Some effort to locate Buddhavana was made by Grierson in the late 19th century and later by Sir Auriel Stein in 1899, but their efforts did not yield results. Over the last couple of years we have worked to discover Buddhavana and in the process we have explored many villages. In the month of June of this year, we began a fresh exploration along the strech of hills west of Jeṭhian (Fig-2). 

Incorrect identification of Buddhavana done by A. Cunningham in 1871.

Bimbisara understands Buddha’s teachings

The Buddha found the assembly eager to absorb the wisdom so he offered insights saying that ego or self is nothing but a deception. The life that exists is nothing but transitory and dwelling in these sensory desires is the cause for suffering. He explained that once the human being let go of the self and realize the transitoriness of all that exists, it would lead to a path that ensures happiness. After realizing the doctrine, King Bimbisara addressed the Buddha.
"Formerly, O Reverend Sir, when I was a prince, I had five wishes. They are now fulfilled. My first wish was to become king. My second wish was that a Fully Enlightened One should visit my country. My third wish was that I should associate with such an Enlightened One. My fourth wish was that he should preach to me the doctrine. My fifth wish was that I should understand that doctrine. Now all these five wishes are fulfilled” (Vin.i.36)

This dialogue, the meeting and the place where the Buddha was received by Bimbisara became an integral part of the tradition that lasted for many generations; pilgrims and devotees visiting Rajgriha from Bodh Gaya made sure to stop by at this junction to pay their respect to the king, the benefactor who helped promote the teachings of the Buddha and establish it as a way of life that was recognized as Buddhism later on. Xuanzang mentions this place in his travelogue and with modern world orientation it establishes at the turning of Jethian valley. The place was marked with a stupa and the remnants of the structure and the echo of the teachings still reverberates in this ambiance.

Pic: The temple at the spot over the brick stupa remains

The antiquities found at the meeting place (Jethian) the...

1- A brick stupa by the ancient path

2- Sculptures at the site

Next Post: Offering of Veluvana to the Buddha and his sangha

Siddhartha returns after becoming Buddha

Siddhartha true to his words planned to return to Magadha after attaining enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. He first went to Isipatana (now Sarnath) and from there on started his journey to Magadha; to see king Bimbisara, to share his philosophy and sow the seeds of his teachings through the population of the Magadha. On his way, he met the most prestigious guru of the Jatils, Kassapa worshiper of the fire. As the Buddha unveiled the shortcomings of the austere fire practice, even the great mountain Gayashirsa seemed to roar to acknowledge the presence of the blessed one. Kassapa along with his thousand disciple listened as he explained the concept of consciousness and that for most humans caught up in their own needs and desires, unaware of their surroundings, senses and sensation is on fire. As long as there is anger, greed, ignorance and lust fueling the fire, the cycle of birth and death along with despair and sorrow would continue infinitely. The Buddha’s precious words are recited today as the Āditta-pariyāya sutta (AA.i.165f, Vin.i.24ff). Kassapa and his disciples were now followers of the Buddha’s teachings and together they arrived at the state of Magadha; and with the Buddha arrived the “Three Virtues”, The Buddha, The Dhamma and The Sangha and began the precursor of a life long association of the Buddha and Rajgriha.


The Buddha’s pious steps in Rajgriha caused a riot of people along with thousands of disciples to gather, to hear him speak and get blessings from him. As soon as king Bimbisara heard of the Buddha’s presence in his own land, he came to greet the enlightened one at Supatittha cetiya in the Latthivanuyyāna (Now Jethian) (Vin.i.35) about 10 Miles on the outskirts of Rajgriha. He approached the Buddha and paid his respects, but others accompanying the king were not sure whom should they pay their respects to first — the Buddha, or Venerable Kassapa. They wondered whether the Buddha was leading a holy life under Venerable Kassapa or the reverse, as both were highly respected religious teachers. The Buddha read their thoughts and asked Venerable

Picture: The Rajgir –Jethian valley - the route taken by Bimbisara to reach Latthivanuyyāna from Rajgriha

Kassapa why he had given up his fire sacrifice and gave Kassapa an opportunity to explain his change of heart, he said that he preferred pursuing the peaceful state of nirvana to the continuance of physical cycle of life and death. After that, he fell at the feet of the Buddha and said, "My teacher, Lord, is the Exalted One: I am the disciple."


The meeting of the Buddha and Bimbisara is preserved in Pratyudgamana-Sutra.



Next Post: Bimbisara understands Buddha’s teachings