The Buddha’s life is not just a personal journey, but one that has reverberated through centuries, inspiring countless individuals across cultures and traditions. His teachings continue to offer profound insights into the nature of existence, helping all who seek peace and understanding. For many, the pilgrimage to the places where the Buddha’s life unfolded serves to connect deeply with his message. These places are rich in spiritual significance, each offering a unique window into his path to enlightenment.
As his life came to an end, the Buddha gave his followers timeless guidance. He highlighted four key places of pilgrimage that hold special significance: Lumbini, where he was born; Bodh Gaya, where he attained enlightenment; Sarnath, where he delivered his first teachings; and Kushinagar, where he entered final Nirvana. In his final teachings, as recorded in the Mahaparinibbana Sutta, the Buddha said:
“There are four places, Ananda, that a pious person should visit and look upon with feelings of reverence. What are the four? ‘Here the Tathagata was born.’ ‘Here the Tathagata became fully enlightened.’ ‘Here the Tathagata set in motion the wheel of the dhamma.’ ‘Here the Tathagata passed away into the state of Nibbana in which no element of clinging remains.’ And the monk, the nun, the layman, or laywoman who has faith should visit these places. Whoever, Ananda, should die on such a pilgrimage with their heart established in faith, at the breaking up of the body after death will be reborn in a realm of heavenly happiness.”
This encouragement to visit sacred sites has inspired countless pilgrims throughout history, and few embody this devotion as vividly as the 7th-century Chinese monk Xuanzang. In his unwavering quest to honor the Buddha’s teachings, Xuanzang undertook a perilous 17-year journey from China to India. His goal was twofold: to visit the sites where the Buddha’s life unfolded and to bring authentic Buddhist scriptures back to his homeland.
Xuanzang’s accounts, later compiled into the Great Tang Records on the Western Regions, continue to inspire modern pilgrims. His journey is a testament to the sincere devotion and the transformative nature of pilgrimage—a journey not just of miles, but of the heart and mind.
Today, we don’t have to undergo the hardships Xuanzang experienced. We can fly to New Delhi, then to Varanasi, and take a train to Bodh Gaya. Now, there is even an airport in Bodh Gaya with direct flights from Bangkok. We can take trains, hire taxis, join tour groups, and stay in comfortable hotels. Yet, despite the convenience, I encourage approaching pilgrimage with the same spirit of perseverance and devotion to walking the path of the Buddha. There will always be obstacles on pilgrimage—it comes with the terrain. Just as the Buddha faced trials on his journey to awakening, the Maras are always waiting in ambush for the devoted practitioner. Confronting these challenges with patience and confidence is an essential part of the journey.
For generations, these sites have been a source of inspiration. A pilgrimage to them is not just a physical journey but also a chance to reflect on life’s impermanence, the value of compassion, and the pursuit of truth. Standing in these sacred places, surrounded by history and nature, pilgrims often find the courage to continue the path the Buddha laid out
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The Lalitavistara Sutra, one of the earliest and most revered Mahayana texts, offers a narrative of the Buddha’s early life, from his birth in Lumbini to his first teachings in Sarnath. It is through this sutra that we are introduced to the Buddha’s life in vivid detail—his birth, his enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, his awakening to the suffering of the world, and his decision to teach. This text serves as a guide for understanding the significance of the four primary pilgrimage sites, painting a portrait of the Buddha’s journey that continues to resonate with pilgrims today.
Each pilgrimage site offers not just a step into history but an opportunity to reflect on the Buddha’s journey. As you explore these sacred places, whether physically or in spirit, may you find inspiration in his path—the same path of compassion, wisdom, and peace that continues to guide millions across the world.
from Preface to Footsteps of Buddha: Buddhist Pilgrimage in India