Bodhgaya, the site of enlightenment

164 Pages·1988·42.629 MB·English

by  Janice Leoshko

BODHGAYA
the site of enlightenment

29
45
61
73
89
Bodhgaya and South-east Asia· 101
Robert L. Brown
Bodhgaya and Nepal 125
· Mary Shepherd Slusser
Bodhgaya and Tibet 143
Jane Casey Singer

FOREWORD
A couple of years ago when Mrs. Roshan Sabavala asked me to suggest some
suitable ideas for future volumes of Marg, Bodhgaya sprang to my mind
immediately. Being a Hindu, I had known of Hindu Caya long before I became
aware of Bodhgaya. From early childhood we had been taught that while Kasi or
Varanasi was the holiest of Indian cities where one went to die and gain freedom
from the chain of rebirth, one's spirit was never really free until one visited the
Vishnu temple at Caya and performed certain rites in honour of one's departed
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ancestors. As a Hindu and a dutiful son I did visit Caya some years ago after my
father's death and performed the appropriate ceremonies.
As children we were taught that the Buddha had been enlightened in adjoining
Bodhgaya. (I have always wondered whether the Buddha chose to be enlightened
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at Caya because of its fame as the place where one ultimately wins liberation). At
the time, like most Indians today, we knew very little about the Buddha. Later,
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while at the University, I realized how important a figure the Buddha was, both in
Indian history and in philosophy. I was also saddened that Indians had almost
forgotten the Buddha. Partly this is why in 1984 I organized an exhibition entitled
"Light of Asia" even though it could not travel to India.
In suggesting a volume on Bodhgaya, I thought this might be an appropriate way
to make my fellow countrymen aware of the importance of this Enlightened One and
his teachings. Certainly no one else has ever had greater influence outside the
geographical limits of the subcontinent.
When the idea was accepted by Marg, it was also my suggestion that Dr. Janice
Leoshko be invited to compile and edit the volume. Having just completed her
doctorate on Bodhgaya, she was the obvious choice. It is hoped that this volume on
Bodhgaya will not only fill an important lacuna in Buddhist studies but will also
interest the many visitors to this site of pilgrimage.
Pratapaditya Pal
-viii
Janice Leoshko
INTRODUCTION
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As the place of the Buddha's enlightenment, Bodhgaya is an extraordinary site. Located
south of Caya in Bihar, it is a smaH village situated on the bank of the Phalgu River. Fig. J
Bodhgaya's special character is clearly emphasized in numerous texts and pilgrim
records which designate it as the only place where Sakyamuni could have become a
Buddha. The famous seventh-century Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang (Hsuan-tsang) described
Sakyamuni's futile efforts to achieve enlightenment at nearby Pragbodhi Hill (now
called Dhongra Hill). According to the legend that Xuanzang recounted, Sakyamuni was
warned by a god of that mountain that if he attempted such meditations there, the earth
would open up and the mountain would fall on top of him. When he tried another site
on the same mountain Sakyamuni was told by yet another god:
This is not the place for a Tathagata lo perfect supreme wisdom. From here
southwest, not far from the place of penance, is a pipal tree under which is a
diamond throne, a vajrasana. All the past Budd.has seated on this throne have
obtained true enlightenment and so will those yet to come. Pray then, proceed
to that spot.1
Sakyamuni found that spot about three kilometres south of Pragbodhi Hill. And for
centuries since, Buddhist devotees have journeyed to pay homage to this sacred site of
enlightenment.
1. View of Bodhgaya from across the Phalgu River.
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