171) THURSDAY, 15 DECEMBER 1977 : 355KMS. - BUDDHA GAYA
We traveled through KHAGARIA, BARAUNI, BAKHJTIYAPUR, BIHAR, NAWADA GAYA until BUDDHA
GAYA. We had to cross the Ganges in BARAUNI city and drive along
the coast as far as to BAKHJ. On both
sides of the road it was a vast plain along the river banks of Ganges. People are
living in this area more crowded than in any other parts that we passed. Along
the way we drove, there were lots of vegetations and orchards.
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| BUDDHA GAYA - Photo : matthieuricard.org / Bing images search |
We arrived in BUDDHA GAYA nearly dusk.
At night around the Chethiya, we saw oil lamps burning bright in rows instead
of the candlelight (because of frequent power failure). There were Tibetan monks seating while chanting in front
of the (Sri Maha) Bhodi tree where (it is believed that) the Lord Buddha
achieved his enlightenment (on the west side of the Chethiya).
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| Monks chanting under Bhodhi tree - Photo : thezensite.com / Bing images search |
I waited until a bit late at night when there were less people to pay homage to
the (Sri Maha) Bhodi tree and Chethiya by lighting candles and incense-sticks and prayed dedicating the merit to my parents, siblings, teachers and friends,
everyone. I tried jumping to pick some fresh leaves of
the (Sri Maha) Bhodi tree (I thought that a lot of people did), because the branches were elevated high and some lower branches having only few leaves at testimony. It has been told that the (Sri Maha) Bhodi tree was the fourth sprouting of the original tree (from the original roots of the 600 years old) that was cut
by the Muslim fanatics in the 14th century.
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