In Lord Buddha's Footsteps in Bihar

India is the birth place of many world-renowned religions that include, among others, Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism and Jainism. All these religions, at one time or the other, found conducive environments in Bihar, one of the northern states of India.

In fact, Bihar proved to be the most perfect state for the continued and sustained growth and Buddhism and Jainism. Actually, more than half of the total Buddhist and Jainism spots of India are in Bihar. Much like Lord Mahavaira, the founder of Jainism, Lord Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, had taken special liking to the serene and holy environments of Bihar. This helped Buddhism strike deep roots in the state. No wonder, Bihar, has the highest number of Buddhist sites in India and the world-renowned Buddhist Nalanda University is in Bihar.

Bihar Buddhist Sites

Even though the entire Bihar is a big monastery (Bihar gets is name from vihara that means monastry) with several Buddhist sites and impressive Buddhist ruins, the leading Buddhist spots of the state are: Bodh Gaya, Patna, Nalanda, Vaishali, and Rajgir.

Bodh Gaya

The most sacred Buddhist place in the world and the place where Lord Buddha got nirvana (enlightenment), Bodh Gaya is much famous for the Mahabodhi Temple (main monastery of Bodh Gaya and a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and the sacred tree under which Lord Buddha is believed to have got enlightenment. Presently, many nations that include, among others, China, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Japan, Nepal, Bhutan, and Thailand have wonderful Buddhist temples around the main Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya.

Patna

The state capital of Bihar, Patna has an excellent museum that has several rare Buddhist sculptures and manuscripts that throw much light on Buddhism and Lord Buddha. The excellent museum also has several statues of Lord Buddha and Bodhisattvas. The pride of the Patna Museum is the holy relic casket of Lord Buddha that contains his ashes. No wonder, Buddhist scholars and others interested in Buddhism and its history make it a point to visit the Patna Museum.

Nalanda

Much famous for the Nalanda University (A prestigious seat of learning in Asia) where students and scholars came from far off lands to quench their thirst for knowledge and wisdom, and, of course, study the Pali Literature, to know Buddhism better, Nalanda occupies a rather high place in the list of the Buddhist destinations of India. Lord Buddha had visited this place. In fact, the ancient city of Nalanda is built at the exact spot where Buddha had stayed earlier.

Vaishali

Vaisali is another place that has deep links with Buddhism and Buddha. Lord Buddha frequently visited this place and also delivered his final sermon here. To commemorate the event, Ashoka--one of the greatest emperors of India who also spread Buddhism throughout the world--erected one of his famous lion pillars here. A hundred years after the Mahaparinirvana of Buddha, Vaishali hosted the second Buddhist council.

Rajgir

Another key Buddhist spot, Rajgir was the place where Lord Buddha spent many months meditating, and preaching at Griddhkuta, (Hill of the Vultures). Besides, it was at Rajgir that Buddha delivered some of his famous sermons and converted the famous king of Magadha Bimbisara and innumerable others to Buddhism.

[http://www.indianexcursion.net/buddist-circuit/bihar-buddhist-circuit.html]

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sanjay_Kumar_Pandey

Bihar on the Fast Track

If you were to go to Bihar and ask the people about Bihar, almost all of them would say that Bihar is being victimized by the central government for not able to contribute towards the Indian economy and therefore Bihar has received a step brotherly treatment. Now if one where to ask someone not from the place they would reply that Bihar is the Wild West; a place you don't want to go.

Now if the same question is asked to very proud Indians, most of them would reply to you irrespective they belong to Bihar or not that it is the essence of India, the core of what India is, the place where Buddha the founder of Buddhism lived and preached, the holy place for Both Sikhs, Hindus and Jains alike.

All of these answers are correct. If we were to look why the Central Government has treated Bihar badly? The reality is that it hasn't, Bihar has received central development fund even though it has not contributed towards the global economy in the past 10 years as it should have been taking into consideration the natural resources it has. The simple fact is that Bihar is ridden with politics that is of the worst kind; the caste politics. The state once represented excellence in administration is now in ruins.

It is thought that the ruin started allegedly by the Congress chief minister of Bihar in the 1980's. The state has never looked back in terms of non development till recently.

It is said that current chief minister and government set agendas for the recovery of Bihar. It is said that roads are being built on a grand scale, villages are being electrified and criminals are being hunted down.

Patna, the capital of Bihar has seen development like never before. Companies and establishments that had left before are setting up again, jobs are being created, security has been beefed up, people have money to spend hence shops from all over India and abroad are eyeing for commercial space. If this continues, Bihar would be destined to regain its lost glory as commercial hub of India or at least the eastern India.

Om Singh has lived and worked in Bihar most of his life. He has seen ups and downs of the place.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Om_Singh