Hon'ble Chief Minister Shri Nitish Kumar Ji at Chechar

Hon'ble Chief Minsiter visited  Chechar the place that is  associated with the Parinirvana of the Venerable Ananda. 

 

Hon'ble Chief Minister has asked for protection of the Madurapur Stupa (Ananda Stupa) and also appreciated the antiquities preserved at the Chechar Museum. Hon;ble Chief Minister also appreciated the efforts made by Shri Ram Pukar Singh Ji towards the preservation and protection of the tangible and intangible heritage of Chechar.

In year 2011 Nava Nalanda Mahavihara has already felicitated Shri Ram Pukar Singh Ji with  Sanghassa Patiţţhāpako Mahā Kassapa Yāvajīvam Sammānopādhi.

 

Hon'ble Chief Minister inside the Chechar Museum

Hon'ble Chief Minister being explained the rich antiquities discovered at Chechar

Hon'ble Chief Minister with Shri Rampukar singh

Hon'ble Chief Minister at Wazidpur School

Hon'ble Chief Minister at Chechar temple

Hon'ble Chief Minister by River Ganges

Hon'ble Chief Minister's Visit to Buddhavana (Ayer-Pathri)

Honorable Chief Minister of Bihar Shri Nitish Kumar ji paid pilgrimage to the historic-sacred site of Buddhavana situated between Jethian and Bodhgaya.

Hon'ble Chief Minister has hisghly appreciated the awareness level of the community towards the rich heritage and initiative made by them towards its protection and preservation.

Hon'ble Chief Minister looking at a beautiful sculptures discovered at the site.

  

Hon'ble Chief Minister carefully looking at the sacred cave where the Buddha stayed.

A Buddhānussati Cārikā was organised few months back to revive the sanctity of the place.

Remarks by Hon'ble Chief Minister in the visitor's book maintained by the villagers



Hon'ble Chief Minister and his cabinet coleagues at the Sacred Buddha cave at Buddhavana

1st Saṃghassa Patiṭṭhāpako Mahā Kassapo Sati Cārikā

 

 

A Mindful-Walk was organized today on Basant Panchammi at Silao to pay Dhamma tribute to Venerable Mahakassapa for his contributions to the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha. Venerable Mahakassapa was third prominent disciple of the Buddha who became the head of the Sangha after the Mahaparinirvana of the Buddha and played a very important role in preserving the teachings of the Buddha by convening the first Buddhist Council at Rajagriha. Venerable Monks, Officials from district administration and Community from Silao in large number came together in making this event a success.

In Buddhist literature we find mention of a very important event of “Exchange of Robes” between the Buddha and Venerable Mahakassapa somewhere between Rajagirha and Nalanda.

 

A beautiful sketch depicting Venerable Mahakassapa recieving robes from the Buddha by Andree Francois 

In 1934 a broken sculpture from Pala Period (8-12^th CE) of Venerable Mahakassapa was discovered at Silao. The sculpture had a long inscription in Brahmi script mentioning about the historic event of “Exchange of Robes” between the Buddha and Maha Kassapa. The sculpture was relocated in 2010. The Mindful-Walk was organized at the Sacred-Historical place to revive the sanctity of the place and bring it back on the Buddhist pilgrimage radar.

Mahakassapa place ready to recieve Pilgrims

 

Venerable Bhikkhu Sangha and the Community walking through the bylanes of Silao..Facilitating Awareness Generation

 

Venerable Bhikkhu Sangha and the community offering prayer at the sacred site of "Exchange of Robes"

 

Broken sculpture of Mahakassapa with inscription mentioning about the Historic event of "Exchange of Robes"

 

 

    Important dignitaries present on the ocassion gave talks on Legacy of Mahakassapa and importance of the Place

Read more: Legacy of Mahakassapa

 

3rd Mahā Moggallāna Patha Padakkhiṇā Padayātrā

A walk was organized to mark the occasion of Parinirvāṇa Anniversary of Magadhaputra, Iddhi Sammatho Mahā Moggallāna on Mahā Moggallāna Divas (Agahana Amāvasyā), 10th December, 2012.

     At this Momentous-Historical event the Venerable Bhikkhu Saṇgha along with the staff-students of Nava Nalanda Mahavihara and the community of Nalanda together paid tributes to the son of the soil for his contributions to the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Saṇgha.

     The Mindful-Walk began from Nava Nalanda Mahavihara campus to Mahā Moggallāna Stūpa, Juafardih.

Venerable Bhikkhu Sangha leading the Padayātrā (Walk)

Venerable Bhikkhu Sangha entering the  Juafardih, the Village of venerable Mahā Moggallāna

Read More: Legacy of Maha Moggallana

Venerable Bhikkhu Sangha reciting S

Dr Panth making the welcome address

Village-Head Smt Munni Devi

Shri Vijay kumar from Silao

Dr Panth, Director, Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, Venerable Dhammajyoti
and Bhikkhu Sangha making Padakhina of the Maha Moggallana Stupa

Silao, the place of "Exchange of Robes" between the Buddha and Mahakassapa ready to recieve pilgrims

An inscription at the base of a partial sculpture rediscovered in Silao in Januray, 2011 provides an image of the exchange of robes between Mahakassapa and the Buddha as based on the reference to this very same sculpture in the Epigraphica Indica (Vol XXV).

Read More- Rediscovery of Mahakassapa inscription

 

The village collective were the broken sculpture was rediscovered



Mahakassapa Image rediscovered

 On 18th March, 2011 a small function was organised to celebrate the find and generate awareness towards the importance of the place. In the same function the concept of Mahakassapa Arama was discussed. Venerable Withoon Putami, from Thailand promised to develop the place and facilitate revitalisation of this sacred place.

 

Read More- Mahakassapa arama (park) announced

Function held on 18th March, 2011

The place getting a facelift with new construction at the place

 

 

Venerable monks led by Venerable Vithoon Putaami did worshiping at the place on 30th November, 2012 to revive the sanctity of the place. The place is now ready to recieve the pilgrims. The devouts of the teachings of the Buddha and Mahakassapa may again visit the place and offer their prayers. The local community participated at this event and is very pleased that this site is associated with an eminent disciple of the Buddha. 

 



Worshiping in process..

Team of Venerable Monks, Local community members and some lay disciples from Thailand

 A Mindful-Walk is being organized for 14 February,2013 to pay tribute to Venerable Mahakassapa and his contributions to the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha.

3rd Sāriputta World Peace Walk

On the occasion of the anniversary of Arhat Sāriputta’s Parinirvāṇa on Kārtika Pūrṇimā, the 3^rd Sāriputta World Peace Walk was held at Giriyak Hill, Ghoḍā Kaṭorā, Rajgir on 28th November, 2012 at 1.00 pm.

 

 

Sariputta World Peace Walk- 2011 and 2012