The Site Where Buddha Attained Parinirvana - Kushinagar

Kushinagar, a town located in the District of East Uttar Pradesh of India is a world famous cultural heritage. It is one of the four major pilgrimage destinations of Buddhists. The location was where Lord Buddha attained Pari-nirvana and cremated. Buddha fell sick after taking an offered meal of a species of mushroom and passed away near Hiranyavati River.



Maha-Parinirvana Stupa and Temple measured a height of 2.74 meter were made of bricks. The site when re-discovered in 1867, was covered in a 40 feet high mound of bricks surrounded by a dense thorny forest. Many important remnants of the main site such as Matha Kuar and Ramabhar Stupa were unveiled in the excavation. Ruins and relics of temples and stupas unearthed were dated back to 3rd -5th century, during when Buddhism was at its peak prosperity period. I made 7 rounds to the stupa as The Brahmi inscription on copper vessel proved that this was the spot where Buddha's ashes were buried.



The image of a 6 meters long reclined Buddha, lying on his right side, was unearthed during the 1876 excavation. It was carved and made out from Chunar sandstone.



Lord Buddha chose a celebrated center of Indian Mallas Kingdom to attain into Nirvana because he knew that it was a proper venue for preaching Maha-Sudassama Sutta and Subhadda would visit him here to listen to his Sermon, developed meditation and be his last disciple to become an Arahan while he was still alive. Buddha also knew that it was the place where Brahman Doha would be there to solve the problem of his relics distribution after his death.



Auspicious moment! Robe changing for Parinirvana Reclined Buddha Image. The elegant robe was ordered from USA to Bangkok and sent to Malaysia to bring here for this moment. We appreciated so much for the great effort of our daughter and her friend to get the thing done on time and sadhu to our two Dharma friends who share this meritorious deed with us.






The Buddha image has various expressions from different angles, looks as if smiling from certain corner and like suffering when watch from the other side. But view from feet, Buddha's face is always calm and peaceful.



May all be well, happy and peaceful, we mindfully circled the image for three rounds and made wishes.



In contact with Buddha's feet was great! We were filled with incredible Dharma Bliss!



This is an essential place for Buddhists especially the Monks to come and pay homage.






The remains of the site where the body of Buddha was placed for his disciples and devotees to pay last respect.






Monk in-charge of Maha-parinirvana Temple is The Abbot of the Myanmar Pagoda Temple.



Maha sukhamdanachan Thargyi Pagoda Myanmar Temple is one of the many monasteries that had been constructed along the ruins of this ancient site.



Go out for alms is part of the Sangka's daily life, as highlighted in the sculpted figurines by the side of Myanmar Pagoda Temple.



Shree Chandramam Free School established in year 1941 is a subsidiary of Myanmar Pagoda Temple. It is a place for children to have free education and also to learn the teachings of Buddha.



The 49 feet high Ramabhar Stupa was less than 2km away from Maha-Parinirvana Temple. It was referred in the ancient Buddhist Texts as Mukut-Bandham Vihar as the stupa marked the site of Buddha's incrementation of year 483 BC.



Ramabhar Stupa was covered in thick fog early the morning.



Doing my morning sutta recitation in front of Ramabhar Stupa.



Devoted Buddhists were making either lights or flowers offerings to the large Stupa.



The site of the altar where offerings were made in the past.



Thick forest wood along the way to Lumbini sunk inside the misty fog looks mysterious yet remarkable.