Uddaka Rāmaputta, Siddarth’s teacher (after Alara Kalama of Kesaputta) lived and taught in Rājagaha (Rajgir). Gautama learnt high level of meditation under the master here. After becoming Buddha, He frequented this place to meditate, preach and deliver sermons. The famous Atanatiya Sutra was delivered here. Nearby Grdhrakuta mountain was Buddha’s favourite retreat, below which is the Jivakarama Vihara, an ancient monastery where He received treatment after having been injured by Devadatta. Saptaparni Cave is on one of nearvy hills where the first Buddhist Council was held.
King Bimbisara welcomes Buddha in Rajagriha
| IMPORTANCE OF THE PILGRIMAGE SITE OF RAJGIR |
| 1. In His early ascetic phase, after leaving Alara Kalama’s ashram in Champaran, Siddharth travelled southwards past Vaishali across Ganga to meet another teacher Uddaka Rāmaputta in Rājagaha (Rajgir) who was well known for his wisdom and meditation technique. Here, under the master Uddaka Rāmaputta, Siddharth learnt high level of meditation called “N’eva Sanna N’asannayatana” or the realm of neither perception nor non-perception. Deeply impressed by Siddharth’s achievements, Uddaka offered him leadership of his ashram however the ascetic Siddhattha preferred to leave Uddaka’s ashram in Rājagaha and proceeded south-west to Uruvela (Bodh Gaya) situated about 75km from Rajgir. |
| 2. During Buddha’s period 6th and 5th century BC , Rajgriha (or Rajgir) was the capital of Magadh under King Bimbisara of Haryanka dynasty who was a great friend and protector of the Buddha. Bimbisara had offered a forest monastery here at Rajgir to Lord Buddha who frequented this place to meditate, preach and deliver sermons. The famous Atanatiya Sutra was delivered by Lord Buddha here. |
| 3. Just outside of Rajgir is Grdhrakuta mountain or Vulture peak (named so because of its resemblance to the head of a vulture). This was Buddha’s favourite retreat where he delivered many sermons and discourses. |
| 4. Just below the Grdhrakuta mountain is the Jivakarama Vihara, an ancient monastery at the time of Buddha. It was built and donated to the Sangh by Jivaka, the royal doctor of King Bimbisara. Buddha is said to have received treatment at this monastery after having been injured by Devadatta. |
| 5. Saptaparni (Sattapanni Cave is on one of the hills where the first Buddhist Council was held. Ajatashatru was present in the first Buddhist council. |
| 6. Ajatasatru Stupa was erected by Ajatashatru on the bones and ashes of the Lord Buddha after the funeral. This was a very large relic stupa. The exact location of this stupa was unknown for a very long time. KK Muhammed of ASI discovered this stupa in 2001 along with a piece of relic casket of Lord Buddha. |
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION: |
| Country | India |
| State | Bihar |
| District | Nalanda ( District HQ is Bihar Sharif town) |
| Sub-division | Rajgir |
| Block | Rajgir |
| Postal Code | 803116 |
| Google map link (of Ajatashatru Stupa) | https://goo.gl/maps/pDc2DXvfkC6dUis88 |
GOOGLE MAP:
Sources:
Largest Stupa found in Rajgir. Telegraph 8 June 2001.
Discovery of Stupa and piece of relic casket of Lord Buddha in Rajgir – KK Muhammed Interview 2023
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Alumnus of the London School of Economics; a UK based former academic; writes and edits for ‘India Review (ISSN 2631-3227)’, ‘Scientific European SCIEU (ISSN 2515-9542)’ & ‘The India Review’ TIR News.
