More! Important places in India

Apart from the Avijahitatthanani mentioned on the previous post, we also visited a few other Buddhist's important places.

JETAVANA MONASTERY

Jetavana was the place where the Buddha gave the majority of his teachings and discourses, having passed at Jetavana 19 (out of 45) rainy seasons (Pāli, vassas, a traditional time of monastic retreat), more than in any other monastery.

When the Buddha accepted Anāthapindika's invitation to visit Sāvatthi the latter, seeking a suitable place for the Buddha's residence, discovered this park belonging to Prince Jeta. When he asked to be allowed to buy it, Jeta's reply was: "Not even if you could cover the whole place with money" Anāthapindika said that he would buy it at that price, and when Jeta answered that he had had no intention of making a bargain, the matter was taken before the Lords of Justice, who decided that if the price mentioned were paid, Anāthapindika had the right of purchase. Anāthapindika had gold brought down in carts and covered Jetavana with pieces laid side by side. The money brought in the first journey was found insufficient to cover one small spot near the gateway. So Anāthapindika sent his servants back for more, but Jeta, inspired by Anāthapindika's earnestness, asked to be allowed to give this spot. Anāthapindika agreed and Jeta erected there a gateway, with a room over it. Anāthapindika built in the grounds dwelling rooms, retiring rooms, store rooms and service halls, halls with fireplaces, closets, cloisters, halls for exercise, wells, bathrooms, ponds, open and roofed sheds, etc.

It is said that Anāthapindika paid eighteen crores for the purchase of the site, all of which Jeta spent in the construction of the gateway gifted by him. The gateway was evidently an imposing structure.
The vihāra is almost always referred to as Jetavane Anāthapindikassa ārāma (Pali, meaning: in Jeta Grove, Anathapindika's Monastery). The Commentaries say that this was deliberate at the Buddha's own suggestion in order that the names of both earlier and later owners might be recorded and that people might be reminded of two men, both very generous in the cause of the Religion, so that others might follow their example. The vihāra is sometimes referred to as Jetārāma

Lighting a Candle
at Jetavana Monastery where Buddha gave majority of his teachings and discourses
having passed 19 (out of 45) vassa at Jetavana

Paradaksina at Gandakuti
circling clockwise at the remains of Buddha's Hut at Jetavana Sravasti

Embracing the Nature
near Buddha's Hut at Jetavana Monastery, Sravasti

GIJJAKUTA HILL

Located at Rajgir, the kingdom ruled during Buddha’s period by King Bimbisara and Kind Ajasattu, is located around 80 kms away from Bodhgaya. Gijjakuta Hill means the hill of vultures, a place where Buddha spent a Vasa period,  Sariputta Thero spent time meditating, and Devadatta Thero  pushed a huge stone and injured Buddha. The Buddha’s Kuti is located at the top of the hill – a square structure less than a foot in height. On our way up the hill, we saw Venerable Sariputta’s Cave, Ven. Mogallana's Cave and Ven. Ananda’s Cave.

Tip of Vishwa Shanthi Stupa
a stupa build by Japanese on the peak of other hill

The Soaring Vulture
The great stone on top resembling a soaring vulture (just its head)
gave Gijjakuta its renowned name

Candle of Ananda's Cave
The Ananda Cave located before the peak, it has a steep passage to Gandakuti on top of the hill,
making Ven.Ananda always accessible to attend Buddha's needs 

NALANDA UNIVERSITY

Nālandā was an ancient center of higher learning in Bihar, India. The site is located about 88 kilometres south east of Patna, and was a religious center of learning from the fifth century AD to 1197 AD. Nalanda flourished between the reign of the Śakrāditya (whose identity is uncertain and who might have been either Kumara Gupta I or Kumara Gupta II) and 1197 AD, supported by patronage from the Hindu Gupta rulers as well as Buddhist emperors like Harsha and later emperors from the Pala Empire.

The complex was built with red bricks and its ruins occupy an area of 14 hectares. (488 by 244 metres) Nalanda was ransacked and destroyed by a Turkish Muslim army under Bakhtiyar Khilji in 1193. The great library of Nalanda University was so vast that it is reported to have burned for three months after the invaders set fire to it, ransacked and destroyed the monasteries, and drove the monks from the site.

Ruins of Nalanda University
At its peak, the university attracted scholars and students from as far away as Tibet, China, Greece, and Persia.