10 Questions
Where was Buddha born according to the text?
Lumbini
Which site is associated with Buddha's first sermon?
Sarnath
What is the significance of Bodh Gaya in Buddha's life?
Where Buddha attained enlightenment
Where did Buddha attain nibbana according to the text?
Kusinagara
What can be inferred about the map provided?
It shows the major Buddhist pilgrimage sites
What is the theme of the map provided?
Buddhist pilgrimage sites
What is the significance of Sarnath in Buddhist pilgrimage?
It is where Buddha gave his first sermon
What is the significance of Lumbini in Buddhist pilgrimage?
It is where Buddha was born
What is the significance of Bodh Gaya in Buddhist pilgrimage?
It is where Buddha attained enlightenment
What is the significance of Kusinagara in Buddhist pilgrimage?
It is where Buddha attained nibbana
Study Notes
Sacred Places in Buddhism
- About 200 years after the Buddha's time, Asoka erected a pillar at Lumbini to mark his visit to the place.
- Relics of the Buddha, such as his bodily remains or objects used by him, were buried in special mounds known as stupas.
- These relics were regarded as sacred, and the entire stupa came to be venerated as an emblem of both the Buddha and Buddhism.
Stupas
- The tradition of erecting stupas may have been pre-Buddhist, but they came to be associated with Buddhism.
- According to the Ashokavadana, Asoka distributed portions of the Buddha's relics to every important town and ordered the construction of stupas over them.
- By the second century BCE, a number of stupas, including those at Bharhut, Sanchi, and Sarnath, had been built.
Buddhism's Appeal
- Buddhism grew rapidly during the Buddha's lifetime and after his death, appealing to many people dissatisfied with existing religious practices and confused by rapid social changes.
- The importance attached to conduct and values rather than claims of superiority based on birth, and the emphasis on metta (fellow feeling) and karuna (compassion) drew men and women to Buddhist teachings.
Chaityas
- Chaitya may have been derived from the word chita, meaning a funeral pyre, and by extension, a funerary mound.
- Chaityas were sites with special trees or unique rocks, or sites of awe-inspiring natural beauty, with small shrines attached to them.
- Buddhist literature mentions several chaityas, and describes places associated with the Buddha's life.
Major Buddhist Sites
- Major Buddhist sites include Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, and Kusinagara, which are associated with the Buddha's life.
- Other sites include Bharhut, Sanchi, and Sarnath, where stupas were built.
This quiz explores the significance of sacred places in Buddhism, including Lumbini and the role of Asoka in marking these sites.
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