The visit to the 80-foot-tall Buddha statue and
the Wat Thai Temple at Sarnath, one of the UNESCO monuments (listed in the 1998
tentative list was a part of the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 Tour, between 05th
February to 08th February 2025, organized by Mantra Yatra (website).
Thanks to Mr. Balaji Davey and his team of Mantra Yatra for the excellent
arrangement and personal care. We went to the Sarnath Buddhist monument where
Buddha gave his first sermon after he attained enlightenment before departing
to Chennai.
As per the UNESCO
website, there are several monuments at Sarnath, which are divided into two
groups. Under Group 'A' Chaukhandi Stupa and under Group 'B all other, monuments
at the sites i.e. Stupas, monasteries, temples, etc. Chaukhandi Stupa is a
lofty brick structure crowned with an octagonal tower. The octagonal tower is a
Mughal monument built by Goverdhan, the son of Raja Todarmal, in 1588 CE to
commemorate Humayun's visit to this place. The second group, which contains
remains of several stupas, monasteries, and Ashokan columns, is built in brick
and stone and datable from the 3rd century B.C.E. to 12th century C.E., forms
the major and important segment of the site. The Ashokan column Dharamrajika
stupa, Dhameka stupa, the remains of the temple, and a series of monasteries and
votive stupas are the most important remains of the site.
Sarnath, where the statue is located, is the site
where Buddha delivered his first sermon, making it a crucial pilgrimage site
for Buddhists. The 2.5-acre complex just opposite the Archaeological Survey of
India (ASI) museum consists of a constructed 80-foot (24.3 meters) tall Buddha
Statue, a Thai Temple, and some monasteries. This Buddha statue is not a
monolithic structure, but a masonry structure built with red sandstones (nearly
815 blocks) and finished later.
It was said that this Buddha statue is a replica of
the Bodhgaya statue. Buddha’s right hand is in the abhaya mudra, and his left hand is in a hanging position. The legs are apart, and the right leg is a little in front, in a walking
posture. The eyes are open and looking down towards the devotees. The face is
with a gentle, compassionate smile that seems to radiate warmth and kindness.
As per Wikipedia, the construction of this statue
was started in 1997 and consecrated in 2011 after crossing many hurdles, which
include the intermittent stoppage of about 3 years. The idea of installing
this Buddha statue was the result of the work of Rasmi Shashan, a Buddhist monk of Indian origin, and
Prakash Samadhiguna.
Worship of the
Buddha image
Namo tassa bhagavato
arahato samma sambuddhasa (3 times) I go to the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the
Noble Sangha as my refuge in all lives. I would like to pay homage to the
kindness of the Lord Buddha, who has sacrificed himself and cultivated merits
for countless lives, attained supreme and perfect enlightenment, proclaimed
the Dharma, and led beings out of the cycle of rebirth, is filled with great
compassion, purity, and wisdom. The wisdom together with the Dhamma and the
Noble Sangha have painted the Buddha's image so that we may receive benefits
and lead us to attain nirvana at the appropriate time. May the merit and virtue
be dedicated to those who have done me a favor, my relatives, the gods and
Brahmas who have kindly protected me and my family, and those who have wronged
me and those who have always encouraged me to do right things in maintaining
the country, Buddhism and the monarchy, both humans and non-humans. May all of
you mentioned above be happy and prosperous. I pay homage to the Triple
Gem.
TAI TEMPLE
The Thai Temple, the small red temple, is on the
right side of the 80-foot Buddha statue. This temple was built in Thailand
architecture. This temple by the Hinayana sect of Buddhism is also called Wat
Thai Temple.
In the sanctum sanctorum 3 Budhha statues in a
sitting posture and two Buddha statues in standing posture. Buddha statues in standing postures with
various mudras are installed in the niches.
This Thai temple was built with donations received from Thailand dignitaries in 1933. Buddha statues are installed under a peepal tree depicting his first sermon to his followers, a Lion pillar with Dharma chakra, and a laughing Buddha.
Ref:
ASI display board.
LOCATION OF THE MONUMENT: CLICK HERE
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
