Lumbini

Why in news?

• The Prime Minister was addressing a gathering after the foundation stone-laying ceremony of the India International Centre for Buddhist Culture and Heritage. It is the first centre to be established by India in Lumbini, where several of the world’s major countries, including the US and China, have centres dedicated to Buddhism.

About Lumbini:

• The Lord Buddha was born in 623 BC in the sacred area of Lumbini located in the Terai plains of southern Nepal, testified by the inscription on the pillar erected by the Mauryan Emperor Asoka in 249 BC.
• Lumbini contain important evidence about the nature of Buddhist pilgrimage centres from as early as the 3rd century BC.
• The complex of structures within the archaeological conservation area includes
  • Shakya Tank
  • The remains within the Maya Devi Temple consisting of brick structures in a cross-wall system dating from the 3rd century BC
  • The sandstone Ashoka pillar with its Pali inscription in Brahmi script.
  • The remains of Buddhist viharas (monasteries) of the 3rd century BC to the 5th century AD and the remains of Buddhist stupas (memorial shrines) from the 3rd century BC to the 15th century AD.

About Buddhist Circuit:

• The circuit is a set of places where Lord Buddha was born, attained enlightenment (Nirvana), his first teachings (sermon) and final resting place (Mahaparinirvana).
  • Namely Lumbini-Bodh Gaya- Sarnath-Kushinagar

PRACTICE QUESTION:

In the context of life of Buddha, consider the following pairs

1. Birth place                          : Bodh Gaya

2. First sermon                                  : Lumbini

3. Attained Mahaparinirvana           : Kushinagar

Which of the pairs given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 1,2 and 3

Answer