India Kathina Pilgrimage - October 2003
Opening Doors 2

Kusinara

One of the most inspiring moments of the times when I went on pilgrimage was the offering of the Golden Robe at the Nibbanna Shrine. The Golden Robes are lovingly handmade by our members and brought to Kusinara.  There we obtain the permission of the Sayadaw at the Burmese Temple next to the Nibbanna shrine who has been taking care of the shrine for the last few decades, to offer the Golden Robes.   After a Puja led by Sayadaw, the taking of Refuge and Precepts, we drape the Golden Robes on the Buddha image as a mark of our respect.  This is followed by the making of aspirations individually ,  placing our foreheads to the feet of the Buddha Image as a profound mark of our humility and our deep respect for the Buddha.
 

Offering stationary to Ven Naiga who runs a free school for the poor children, Kusinara.

Puja at Vulture's Peak

Having Puja here is truly inspiring, one is surrounded by green hills, quiet and peaceful. Other than the sound of the wind and the chants emitting from our mouths, it is QUIET!  Such a peaceful place; it is favoured by the Exalted One for His reflection, meditation and Teachings.  We must recall that the Buddha was already a fully enlightened Being then, that He chose this place is a potent reminder to us of the need for peaceful reflection/contemplation, of the need for solitude to truly see clearly the Truths of life. Great cities and palaces obviously are inadequate for this purpose, it is the simplicity of this Sacred Hill that is its strongest point.

Walking downhill via "Old Bimbisara's Path" is humbling, it is a narrow path, the same path taken by the Lord Buddha as He walked down this hill. One truly walks on the footprints of the Lord here.  May we follow His example and Teachings to reach the goal of Enlightenment.
 

Jetavana Monastery

It is very peaceful here.  Sayadaw Awbatha is the Ven in charge at the Burmese Monastery just across the road.  He is very knowledgeable abt the history of the area and the buildings within the Jeta Groove. In fact, he wrote THE book on the Sacred sites in India. 

Coming here and walking in the same place where the Buddha did walking meditation is both inspiring and humbling. To see devotees from all traditions paying respect at Gandhakuti reminds us of all the things we have in common.  See the Lord Buddha's room and note how small and simple it is.....  remember clearly that we are standing on sacred ground.  Out of respect one will not step onto the Buddha's room other than to place flowers.

We recited the Mangala Sutta here, recall that it was preached to a Deva in this very sacred chamber. We recited Metta Sutta, again recall that it was in this very park that the words were first spoken.  As we stood in the ruins of the hall where the Lord preached, we remember how Cinta Manika accused Him in this very hall.   Its all very inspiring to one whose mind is prepared......  so if I may humbly suggest, please remind all the pilgrims to read beforehand , to be prepared .    

Sayadaw Vivekkhanda at Lumbini had taught us that a pilgrimage is BOTH external and INTERNAL.   If one merely goes and visits all the places, takes photos and go home exactly the same person as before, that one person is NO MORE than a mere tourist.   So he strongly encouraged us to be a pilgrim both externally and Internally, in our minds we must learn, realise the Truths of the Dhamma as inspired by the events and Teachings which took place in these places.

To meditate at night at the outer room of Gandhakuti is a must for every serious pilgrim, feel the presence of Holiness.  It is carved in concrete in my mind.
 

Korean Temple, Sravasti

The Korean Temple at Sravasti is behind the still uncompleted new Burmese Monastery where we stayed. It is less than 1 min on foot from the hotel where Angie's group will be staying.  There are 2 Venerables there and they run a free clinic for the poor. They also help with providing stationaries, books and school uniforms for the nearby village school.  The Venerables are so kind and welcoming, compassion radiates from their faces.....   Please send Ven Dae In  our respects and greetings.  We had told them to expect your groups.  The Main Hall is calm and Zen in atmosphere. From our rooms in the Burmese Monastery, we can hear the morning and evening chants radiating out from the back, in the still of the early morning, the sound of the knocking of the 'wooden fish' is clear and reassuring

The opportunity to meet many virtuous Ones is always present, many are cultivating at the many sacred places.  So in our van is always found Robes of the various traditions and prepacked Requisites.  When we meet them, we are ready to offer our Respects and Requisites. We are so grateful to the many Dhamma bros and sis in Malaysia and Singapore who had offered stationary, books and to Metta Lodge for providing us with the Robes of the various traditions and pre-packed 8 requisites, 
 

Sadhu x 3 to all.

Bro (Dr) Wong Yin-Onn