My Pilgrimage Tour To India - Vulture's Peak Part 3

Guijjhakuta hill (Vulture's Peak) was the favourite resort of the Buddha and the scene of many important discourses while he was in Rajgir.  The rocky path ends near the top of the hill where one can see two natural caves, which were probably used by the Buddha and Ven . Ananda.

Near the bottom of the cement staircase are two smaller caves believed to be used by two rich brahmins, Upatissa and Kolita, popularly known as the Ven. Sariputta and Ven. Moggallana respectively.Both joined the sangha after their conversion by the Arahant Assaji and became followers of the Buddha.

Please take a closer look to find out  where the holy mantras was crafted onto the rocky surface. 

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My Pilgrimage Tour To India - Vulture's Peak Part 2

Guijjhakuta hill (Vulture's Peak) was the favourite resort of the Buddha and the scene of many important discourses while he was in Rajgir. To reach the top, one has to climb up a long stone stairway from 6.1 m to 7.3 m wide, called the Bimbisara road, built by the King to enable him to reach the summit to see the Buddha. Recent years, a cement staircase has been constructed to facilitate the pilgrim's climb to the top, which is a flat terrance surrounded by a low retaining wall with a shrine near the precipice.

The rocky path ends near the top of the hill where one can see two natural caves, which were probably used by the Buddha and Ven . Ananda. At the summit, one can see the huge granite rock formation resembling a vulture standing with folded wing, from which the hill derived its name. This spot offers a commanding  view of the valley below. It is a favourite place for pilgrims to perform puja while reciting the virtues of the Buddha.

Thank you for reading my blog, and it helps to spread the Dharma knowledge and as well turning the Dharma wheel to the world.

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My Pilgrimage Tour To India - Bimbisara jail

This is the Bimbisara jail , about 2 1/2 km south of Veluvana beside the main road, is an area about 60 m square enclosed by the remains of a stone wall 2 m thick. This area has been identified as the prison in which Bimbisara was jailed by his son Ajatasattu, who usurped the throne. It is said that from this prison, the King could see the Buddha up in Gijjhakuta (Vulture peak) 

Ajatasattu the king's son at his instigation, usurped the throne imprisoned his father in order to starve his father to death. His mother the Queen secretly applied the sticky honey all over her body to feed the king whenever she visited the Bimbisara jail, and soon the Prince has discovered that his mother the Queen secret tactics  to save his father , and the Prince has prohibited the Queen to visit the King in order to starve him to death as quickly as possible.
The Queen was mourning in grief and was prayed to the Buddha if he could  guide her to a better realm or pure land if she could be reborn there to end the suffering.
At the Gijjhakuta (Vulture peak) where the Buddha was delivered the Prajnaparamita Sutra and the Lotus Sutra.  The Buddha knew the Queen was calling upon him and the Buddha was using his spiritual power to presence there and explained to her the meritorious benefits if any sentient beings who wish to be reborn to the Amitabha Buddha Pure land. (Sukhavati in sanskrit) (Dewachen in Tibetan)

Ajatasattu, later has regretted his evil actions too late, as his father had died before he could release him. In later, Ajatasattu at the suggestion of Jivaka, sought the Buddha's advice and became a lay disciple.

Thank you for reading my blog, and it helps to spread the Dharma knowledge and as well turning the Dharma wheel to the world.
Dedication of merits
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November 21, 2014 Mahakala prayer day

November 21, 2014 today is the auspicious Mahakala Dharma Protector prayer day according to the Tibetan month calendar and the Mahakala prayer day is to be done on the 29th of the Tibetan lunar month calendar, and this is also to be known as the 'Dharmapala' day. There are certain days are considered auspicious day for certain practices, and on these particular days of the practices,  the effects of positive or negative actions are multiplied 100 times. 

The  Mahakala is the high level of of Dharma protectors , he is the well known Dharma protectors and he is the wrathful manifestation of the compassion of Chenrizig (In Tibetan) or Avalokitesvara (In Sanskrit) Kuan Yin (In Chinese) Bodhisattva. 

Mahakala using his power to protect the temples, monasteries, protect the precious Vajrayana teachings and help other dharma practitioners. He is typically black color. Just as all colors are absorbed and dissolved into black, all names and forms are said to melt into those of Mahakala, symbolizing his all-embracing, comprehensive nature. 

Black can also represent the total absence of color, and again in this case it signifies the nature of Mahakala as ultimate or absolute reality. Mahakala he is always depicted with a crown of five skulls, which represent the transmutation of the five negative afflictions into the Five wisdom. The wisdom are representations of the five qualities of the  Buddhas. 

With your continuing support to read my blog, it helps to spread the Dharma knowledge and as well turning the Dharma wheel to the world.

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My Pilgrimage Tour To India - Vulture's Peak Part 1

Vulture's Peak  rises over mostly dry land, and its jagged rocks indeed resemble vultures when seen from a distance and this is one of the most important Buddhists pilgrimage holy site located Hill in India, a few kilometers south of the town of Rajgir.

Vultures Peak, One descends about 100 meters or so and there is a paved pathway on the left which leads to Vultures Peak. A small shrine and two caves identify the peak. It was here that the Buddha delivered the Prajnaparamita Sutra and the Lotus Sutra and where, according to Buddhist scripts, the Shakyamurni Buddha he twirled the flower and gave transmission to Mahakasyapa.

To reach the spot on this mountain where the Mahayana tradition text statedthat the Buddha gave the actual discourses; one must walks a fairly long path that lifts one higher and higher above one's surroundings. As one proceeds, one joins the vast community of followers of the Buddha who have visited this spot, either to hear the actual words of their teacher, or to pay homage as a pilgrim to the spot where those fortunate disciples heard those words

With your continuing support to read my blog, it helps to spread the Dharma knowledge and as well turning the Dharma wheel to the world.
Dedication of merits
May those who read and sharing of this blog's information be peaceful and joyful. May the Buddha Dharma be flourished and the merits will be dedicated to the sentient beings

Supplication to Guru Rinpoche

Prayer to Guru Rinpoche to clear away obstacles on the path, the precious guru, embodiment of all Buddhas of the three times.

Great bliss, the lord of all accomplishments, wrathful power who dispels all hindrances and subdues demons.

Pray bestow your blessing, please remove the outer, inner and the secret obstacles and grant your blessings to accomplish wishes spontaneously.

Supplication to Guru Rinpoche 

Du sum sang gyay guru rinpoche

Ngo drup kun dak de wa chhen poi zhap

Bar chhad kun sel dud dul drak po tsal

Sol was deb so jyin gyiy lap tu Sol

Chhyi nang sang wai bar chhad zhi wa dang

Sam pa lhun gyi drup par jyin gyi lob

Explanations of the Supplication to Guru Rinpoche
Guru Rinpoche, The Buddha of , past, present ,the Future.
Guru of the Great Blissful One, Lord and sources of all Accomplishments.
Wrathful Tamer of all maras, Dispelled of All Obstacles.
We pray to you, please grant your blessings and grace.
Please pacify all outer, inner and secret obstacles;
Bless and grace us with spontaneous fulfillment of our aspirations and prayers.

When, due to the obstacles of the elements earth, water, fire and wind. This illusory body , which is rented, is meeting the time to be perished.

Requesting undoubtedly, without two pointed mind to Padmasambhava and the goddess of the elements, [there is] no doubt the four elements get naturally pacified.  I request , Orgyen, the one arising from the lotus ( Orgyen Padma Chung Na). Please bless the wishes to succeed naturally.

With your continuing support to read my blog, it helps greatly to spread the Dharma knowledge and as well turning the Dharma wheel to the world.

Dedication of merits
May those who read and sharing of this blog's information be peaceful and joyful. May the Buddha Dharma be flourished and the merits will be dedicated to the sentient beings

Holy hand print of Guru Rinpoche at the sacred cave in Pharping Nepal Part 2

When I on a pilgrimage trip to Katmandu Nepal, Bodhgaya in India, we make an actual physical connection with a sacred place and can open ourselves to the blessings that subtlety permeate the atmosphere. It is very helpful then to make our deepest aspirations to follow in the footsteps of the realized beings who were (and are) invisibly present.  Their teachings and lives are a model or profound pattern that we can emulate. 

Holy hand print of Guru Rinpoche at the sacred cave in Pharping Nepal, Pharping lies about two hours by bus fromRatna Park outside of Kathmandu and for many Vajrayana practitioner Pharping is as holy as Bodhgaya.

Guru Rinpoche himself said that in all the caves and places he has meditated and people in the future could receive his blessing as if meeting him in person.  Furthermore Guru Rinpoche mentioned that especially in the time of degeneration and visiting those holy places would be very beneficial for one's spiritual development and purification of sicknesses and obstacles.

With your continuing support to read my blog, it helps greatly to spread the Dharma knowledge and as well turning the Dharma wheel to the world.
Dedication of merits
May those who read and sharing of this blog's information be peaceful and joyful. May the Buddha Dharma be flourished and the merits will be dedicated to the sentient beings