A
Mindful-Walk was organized today on Basant Panchammi at Silao to pay Dhamma
tribute to Venerable Mahakassapa for his contributions to the Buddha, the
Dhamma and the Sangha. Venerable Mahakassapa was third prominent disciple of
the Buddha who became the head of the Sangha after the Mahaparinirvana of the
Buddha and played a very important role in preserving the teachings of the
Buddha by convening the first Buddhist Council at Rajagriha. Venerable Monks,
Officials from district administration and Community from Silao in large number
came together in making this event a success.
In
Buddhist literature we find mention of a very important event of “Exchange of Robes” between the Buddha and Venerable Mahakassapa somewhere between Rajagirha
and Nalanda.
A beautiful sketch depicting Venerable Mahakassapa recieving robes from the Buddha by Andree Francois |
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In
1934 a broken sculpture from Pala Period (8-12th CE) of Venerable
Mahakassapa was discovered at Silao. The sculpture had a long inscription in
Brahmi script mentioning about the historic event of “Exchange of Robes”
between the Buddha and Maha Kassapa. The sculpture was relocated in 2010. The
Mindful-Walk was organized at the Sacred-Historical place to revive the
sanctity of the place and bring it back on the Buddhist pilgrimage radar.
Mahakassapa place ready to recieve Pilgrims
Venerable Bhikkhu Sangha and the Community walking through the bylanes of Silao..Facilitating Awareness Generation
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| Venerable Bhikkhu Sangha and the community offering prayer at the sacred site of "Exchange of Robes" |
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| Broken sculpture of Mahakassapa with inscription mentioning about the Historic event of "Exchange of Robes" |
Important dignitaries present on the ocassion gave talks on Legacy of Mahakassapa and importance of the Place
