Wednesday, February 27, 2013

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


Sunday, February 10, 2013

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 (8-12th 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