Buddha's Steps – Lab3
Mahapanirvana Site Temple and Buddha Relics
Stupa at Buddha's cremation site
Today we won't need to use our vehicle. We'll walk through the village of Kushinagar, one of the four most sacred sites in Buddhism, as the Buddha himself instructed his students to visit in his final teaching—the Mahaparanirvana Sutra. While walking, we'll visit the temple that stands on the site of the Mahaparanirvana of Buddha, where today there is a statue of the reclining Buddha. We will visit a Myanmar stupa and a small Japanese temple. In the afternoon we will visit the place where Buddha was cremated, a stupa And there is a pleasant lawn where we can contemplate this important teaching of the Buddha about impermanence and practice it.
Buddha's birthplace
Early in the morning today we will head towards the South of Nepal. This region is still low-lying, but geographically, culturally and ethnically very similar to the regions we have visited in recent days. We will notice small differences due to the proximity and influence of the higher regions of this small and highest country in the world. After formalities at Indian and Nepalese immigration, facilitated by Guilherme, we will head to our hotel for a good meal. We suggest some very good typical Nepalese food! After our lunch, we will take a walk to the Maya Devi temple. Place where Buddha was born when his mother, Mayadevi, returned to her parents' village, as is traditional to this day, to give birth to her son. Thus we will complete the four most sacred sites in Buddhism.
Kapilavastu
Walk
Buddha's birthplace
After our breakfast, near Lumbini, we will visit the place where Buddha lived during his childhood and youth, Kapilavastu. The then prince Siddhartha was quite protected by his father, with regard to all discomforts and possible suffering. At the same time, with the presence of all the pleasures that our senses can offer us. It was while exploring the surroundings of his house that Siddhartha had four important visions: for the first time he saw a sick person, an old man, a dead person and an ascetic. We will walk through the same places where Siddhartha lived before his enlightenment, from where he continued his Walk, studies and training until he became enlightened in our already known Bodhgaya. Back in Lumbini, we will be able to walk Exploring the region, visiting some temples and, of course, revisiting the place where Buddha was born. It's such an important place that sitting there a little longer, enjoying reading, reflection, and familiarization, are surely memorable and very worthwhile experiences.
Flight
Boudhnath
Transfer to the nearest airport in Lumbini, approx. 20min, and flight to Kathmandu. Weather permitting, with an incredible view of the snow-capped mountains, the highest on our planet: the Himalayas. Arrival in the Kathmandu Valley, transfer to the hotel in the Tibetan neighborhood, with a free afternoon around the great stupa of Boudhnath with assistance.
Around the great stupa (Tib: chörten) of boudhanath In our Tibetan neighborhood, full of monasteries, we will find nuns, monks and lay Tibetans, sometimes great masters, making their koras (circumambulations), turning the famous prayer wheels with millions of Om Mani Padma Hungs, reciting mantras and lighting lamps, especially in the late afternoon and early morning. We will take advantage of one of the cafés or restaurants to observe and assimilate our first contact on this trip with these people who, in a more direct or indirect way, keep alive to this day, throughout the world, the legacy of the Nalanda University that we visited a few days ago.
Flights
For those returning to Brazil today, we offer assisted airport transfers. We hope you enjoyed your time following and experiencing the Buddha's teachings. Have a safe trip home!