Introduction to Buddhist Pilgrimages

What are the pilgrimage sites?

The Buddhist pilgrimage sites are places connected to the life of the Buddha or his remains. This website also includes major temples and places relevant to the Buddhist practice. The below is the list of pilgrimage sites included to this website.

• Four major sites

  • Lumbini – where the Buddha was born,

  • Bodh Gaya – where He was awakened,

  • Sarnath – where He first taught the Dhamma, and

  • Kusināra – where He finally passed.

• Next four sacred sites

  • Savatthi – Where the Buddha performed the Twin Miracle to silence the heretics.  Thereafter, He ascended to Tavatimsa Heaven to preach to His Mother, and the devas of that heaven, the Abidhamma or Higher Dhamma,

  • Sankassa – Where the Buddha descended from Tavatimsa Heaven accompanied by Brahma and Sakka, after preaching to His mother and the devas for the three months of the rains retreat (vassa).  This was the only occasion when humans could see beings of the heavenly and hell realms with their naked eyes,

  • Rajagaha – where the Buddha tamed the drunken elephant, Nalagiri, and

  • Vesali – where the Buddha rid the city of a plague of disease and malevolent spirits and preached the Ratana Sutta (the Discourse on Jewels).

• Other sites relevant to the Buddha’s life and remains

  • Kapilavattu (Kapilavastu) – where he grew up

  • Ramagramma Stupa housing the Buddha’s remains.

How were these pilgrimmage sites defined or determined?

The idea of Buddhist pilgrimages was first detailed in the Buddha’s last words, in the Mahā Parinibbāna Sutta. It documents how the disciple, Ananda, was concerned about how Buddhists might be inspired after the Buddha’s passing. The Buddha replied that there are four places to visit that would “merit feelings of urgency and dismay”. These four places are:

1. Lumbini – where the Buddha was born,

2. Bodh Gaya – where He was awakened,

3. Sarnath – where He first taught the Dhamma, and

4. Kusināra – where He finally passed.

These four other sacred sites connected with major episodes during Lord Buddha’s life were later identified by Buddhists, and together the above make the eight places of the Buddhist “pilgrimage circuit”. With time and archaeological advances, other locations were established as being historically associated with the life of the Buddha, where he resided for some time with his disciples or where recorded events during his life took place.

1. Savatthi – Where the Buddha performed the Twin Miracle to silence the heretics.  Thereafter, He ascended to Tavatimsa Heaven to preach to His Mother, and the devas of that heaven, the Abidhamma or Higher Dhamma,

2. Sankassa – Where the Buddha descended from Tavatimsa Heaven accompanied by Brahma and Sakka, after preaching to His mother and the devas for the three months of the rains retreat (vassa).  This was the only occasion when humans could see beings of the heavenly and hell realms with their naked eyes,

3. Rajagaha – where the Buddha tamed the drunken elephant, Nalagiri, and

4. Vesali – where the Buddha rid the city of a plague of disease and malevolent spirits and preached the Ratana Sutta (the Discourse on Jewels).

Some of the related archaeological artifacts have been removed from their original locations and placed elsewhere, for example, the museums and they relate to the sites as well.

Most of these places are in present day India, whereas some are in Nepal.

Other Buddhist heritage sites

As Buddhism has been practised for over 2,500 years, there are numerous ancient places associated with the practice, such as temples and monuments.

These sites could be associated with important Buddhist or monks, for instance.

They could be found in India and Nepal, but there are also many places internationally that the interested Buddhist might find relevant as well.