Light of Buddha DhammaFoundation International (LBDFI) in its efforts to revitalize the lesser known
but very sacred places associated with the Buddha in Bihar have created a stūpa
near the Buddha cave at village ayer-pathri in Gaya district. The stūpa is blessed
by US based Tarthang Tulku Rinpoche.
Most of the focus from
government and non-government agencies towards development and promotion of the
Buddhist heritage in Bihar is currently limited to the prominent sites like
Bodhgaya, Rajgir, Nalanda and Vaishali. While,
many other prominent sites like Jethian, Juafardih, Ayer-pathri, Parwati etc associated
with the sublime wandering of the Buddha are not getting the attention that
they being associated with the Buddha deserves.
In recent years many
international Buddhist Institutions have evinced interest in revitalizing the
sacred Buddhist traces in remote villages. Nava Nalanda Mahavihara (NNM) under
its Revival of Ancient Buddhist Pilgrimage Project (RABPB) is creating awareness
among the Buddhist institutions worldwide and facilitating revitalization of
prominent sites associated with the Buddha in remote villages of Bihar.
Ayer-pathri has been identified with Buddhavana, a place associated with the
sublime wandering of the Buddha as mentioned by 7th CE Chinese
monk-scholar Xuanzang. Venerable Sik Sau Chi from Miu Fat Buddhist
Monastery, Hong Kong visited Ayer-pathri last year and was
moved by way the local communities of Ayer-pathri have come together and with
their limited resources are trying to conserve the sacred remains scattered all
around the village. Venerable Sik Sau
has extended financial help to the community institution at Ayer-pathri for creation
of access to the sacred Buddha cave. Need not mention, the community of
Ayer-pathri are elated that their efforts being appreciated and complemented by
generous endowment from the Buddhist visitors from all over the World.
Ricardo Lamy Freund,
the architect who created many stūpas to mark the Buddha’s footsteps was
overwhelmed by the support of the community of Jethian valley. The entire Jethian valley is replete with
sacred traces associated with the Buddha and NNM in collaboration with the
LBDFI is currently working on a long-term plan to develop and promote the sanctity
of the Jethian valley. The conceiving of the 13km Jethian-Rajgir Dhamma Walkorganized on 13th December, 2014 was one such initiative to promote
tangible and intangible heritage of Jethian valley. Following this Dhamma Walk,Department of Tourism, Government of Bihar also organized a Heritage Walk alongthe same Buddha Path on 10th January, 2015.
The Telegraph reports
A view of new Stūpa near Buddhavana
Read: Awareness Walk at Ayer Pathri (Buddhavana)
Read: Safeguarding of Sculptures at Ayer-Pathri (Buddhavana)
The Community support
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The Making of the stupa
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