Here's why you must visit the International Buddhist Conclave at Sarnath
Slated to begin at Sarnath on October 3 this year, the International Buddhist Conclave will be attended by delegates from more than 40 countries. The conclave seeks to highlight Buddhist heritage and pilgrimage sites in India.
The foundation for Buddhism was laid down by Prince Siddhartha at a time when he renounced his family and went on to become the Buddha. The knowledge he gained through his enlightenment started spreading far and wide. It spready not only in different parts of India, but other parts of the world as well.
Now, Buddhism has a global following in excess of 500 million people, and is among the leading faiths of the world. Starting from India, where Buddhism originated, the profound teachings of this faith spread in Asia and beyond over the centuries. The philosophies and thoughts attached to Buddhism remain relevant even in the modern world.
High-profile gathering
Starting on October 3 and concluding on October 5, the International Buddhism Conclave will be a two-day event at Sarnath near Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. It will witness a convergence of political administrators, thinkers, philosophers, and intellectuals from different parts of the world. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav will grace the inaugural function, which is being organised by the Union Ministry of Tourism in affiliation with the tourism sections of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Buddhists and foreign delegates from over 40 nations are expected to attend the meet.
Previously, similar conclaves were organised in Bodhgaya (2004), Nalanda and Bodhgaya (2010), Varanasi and Bodhgaya (2012), and New Delhi and Varanasi (2014). As of now, careful efforts are being made to complete the Buddha Theme Park in Sarnath. Showcasing the best of Buddhist tradition, ideas, and pilgirm sites have been one of the primary agendas of the previously held conclaves.
Multiple attractions
In addition to charting tourist circuits that emphasise significant Buddhism sites in different cities, the conclave would also include important business meetings, panel discussions and presentations, among other things. Promoting the important Buddhist sites in and around Bodhgaya and Sarnath is one of the primary motives of this conclave. Besides, an exhibition will also be inaugurated, which will showcase and highlight the Buddhist attractions of the country.
The guests will be welcomed in a traditional manner at Varanasi's Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport. Thereafter, they will be given a tour of the ancient Buddhist sites, including the Dhamek Stupa, Mulagandha Kuti Vihar, and Sarnath museum. In the evening, the guests will be given an opportunity to witness the famous Ganga aarti at Varanasi's Dashashwamedh Ghat.
The tourist arrivals in Varanasi witnessed a 4.5 per cent growth last year. Official statistics have revealed that a total of 57,16,297 tourists, including 54,13,927 domestic, and 3,02,370 foreigners, visited the town.
Swadesh Darshan
The Ministry of Tourism's Swadesh Darshan initiative, which focusses on integrated development of tourism in India, has identified the Buddhist circuit one of the 13 thematic circuits that have been earmarked for development. Apart from that, this scheme is also expected to cover all major Buddhist heritage sites in the country.
In fact, the tourism ministry has already sanctioned a sum of Rs 33.17 crore in 2014-15 for the construction of a cultural centre at Bodhgaya, Bihar. In addition to this, a sum of Rs 74.94 crore has also been sanctioned in 2016-17 for the development of the Buddhist circuit covering Sanchi-Satna-Rewa-Mandsaur-Dhar in Madhya Pradesh.
Buddhist circuit in UP
For making it convenient for travellers and pilgrims who are keen on visiting Buddhist sites, the Uttar Pradesh Tourism has prepared a detailed itinerary. The state is known to have a well-defined Buddhist circuit, which has a beautifully planned out infrastructure along with a melange mix of sights related to Buddhist culture, nature and history. Kapilvastu, Kaushambi, Kushinagar, Sankisa, Sarnath, and Sravasti are the destinations covered in this.
Although Bodhgaya in Bihar is revered for being the place where the wandering Prince Siddhartha attained enlightenment by meditating under a bodhi tree, Uttar Pradesh's Sarnath too was a significant part of Buddha's history. Sarnath's deer park in Sarnath, also known as Isipatana, is the place where the principles of Buddhism were first enunciated by Gautama Buddha.
Until the age of 29, when he renounced worldly life, Kapilvastu was the place where Prince Siddhartha lived. After attaining enlightenment, Lord Buddha is believed to have passed his sixth and ninth year in Kaushambi.
Buddhists from all parts of the world are attracted to Kushinagar, because it is the place where Lord Buddha breathed his last, attaining parinirvana. A place called Sankisa, close to Sravasti, is believed to be the place where the Buddha descended to earth, accompanied by Lord Brahma and Devraj Indra after giving a discourse to his mother, Mayadevi. It is believed that Gautama Buddha spent 24 monsoons in Sravasti, which includes a major part of his monastic life.
Some of the most important destinations in the Buddhist circuit of Uttar Pradesh include the following:
Kapilvastu
Presently identified as the town of Piprahwa, located in the Siddharthanagar district of Uttar Pradesh, Kapilvastu is the place where Prince Siddhartha grew up as a child. Devotees and tourists from all parts of the world travel to this place just to get transported to the ancient times and reminisce how the young Buddha renounced all worldly riches and pleasures in search of salvation thousands of years ago.
Kaushambi
Kaushambi is one place you just can't miss out on while talking about the most prominent Buddhist destinations in India. Located at a distance of about 60 km from Allahabad, Kaushambi is believed to be the place where Gautam Buddha had delivered a lot of sermons. In those times, it was one of the most prosperous in India. In the present times, it is renowned as a centre of higher learning for Buddhists. Travellers can learn a great deal about the Buddhist influences of the place by visiting the various ruins discovered through several excavations carried out there. Some of the most prominent discoveries from the place include an Ashokan Pillar, an old fort, a grand monastery, besides a huge number of sculptures and figurines, cast coins, and terracotta objects among a lot of other things.
Kushinagar
Located at a distance of 50 km from Gorakhpur city, Kushinagar is the place where Gautam Buddha is believed to have breathed his last. People from places far off come to this place to witness the famous statue of the reclining Buddha, which is kept inside the uniquely designed Mahaparinirvana temple. Although this statue was found in an excavation carried out in the year 1876, significant others carried out over a period of time after that have brought to the fore evidences of the fact that a large community of monks resided in this place until the 11th century AD.
Sankisa
What is now Basantpur village, located at the banks of Kali river in Farrukhabad district, is believed to have been called Sankisa in the times of Buddha. If legends are to be believed, this is the place where the Buddha descended after addressing his mother in heaven. This is also the place where Emperor Ashoka had erected a pillar with an elephant capital, with the purpose of marking the place as a holy spot.
Sarnath
Buddhists all over the world consider Sarnath as one of the most important Buddhist sites. Located at a distance of just 10 km from Varanasi, Sarnath is believed to be the place where Gautam Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. Travellers and devotees come here to witness the great Dhamekh Stupa and its ruins, which still has enough evidences reminding one of the Buddha's teachings. Also famous in this place is the smooth glistening pillar erected by Emperor Ashoka in 273-232 B.C., thus marking the foundation of Buddhist Sangha. In fact, the pillar also has the Lion Capital on top of it which we see India's national flag.
Sravasti
Named after the mythological king Sravast, who is believed to have founded this city. Located about 15km from Bahraich, Sravasti is the place where the Buddha spent 27 years of his life, and considered the place as his annual rainy season retreat. The city was once the capital of the ancient Koshal empire, and it was here that the Buddha showed his capabilities to impress even the non-believers. The sprawling complex here still houses the well-preserved stupas and ruins dating back to that period.
