In the following lines, we have provided some quick information on Buddhism in a brief form. Read on to know some facts about Buddhism ...
Meaning: System taught by the Buddha
Founded In: 6th Century BC
Place founded: North India
Founder: Siddhartha Gautama ("the Buddha"), an Indian prince
Followers: 376 million
Size: Fourth largest religion in the world
Main locations: China, Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia
Main Sects: Theravada and Mahayana
Sacred texts: Pali Canon (Tripitaka), numerous Mahayana sutras
Original language: Pali
Spiritual leader: Monk (lama in Tibetan Buddhism)
Place of ritual: Temple, meditation hall.
Theism: Varies - Theravada is atheistic; Mahayana is more polytheistic.
Ultimate reality: None, Nothing is permanent.
Holidays: Buddha's birthday, Buddha's enlightenment and lunar quarters
Three Jewels/Three Refuges:
The Buddha
The Sangha (monastic community)
The Dharma (truth or teachings)
Four Noble Truths:
All of life is marked by suffering
Suffering is caused by desire and attachment
Suffering can be eliminated
Suffering is eliminated by following the Noble Eightfold Path
Five Dhyani (Wisdom) Buddhas:
Vairochana
Akshobhya
Ratnasambhava
Amoghasiddhi
Noble Eightfold Path:
Right beliefs
Right aspirations
Right speech
Right conduct
Right livelihood
Right effort
Right mindfulness
Right meditational attainment
Buddha Tour with Golden Triangle
Arrival Delhi . Meet and assist on arrival and transfer to hotel. Overnight Delhi.
Day 02: Delhi / Jaipur ( 257 kms / apprx 05 hrs drive) (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Delhi / Jaipur ( 257 kms / apprx 05 hrs drive) (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner) After breakfast visit Old Delhi , Jama Mosque, Rajghat – where Gandhiji was cremated and drive past to Red Fort. Lunch at Local Restaurant. PM : Drive to Jaipur. On arrival Checkin at hotel.
Day 03: Jaipur (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
AM : Visit Amber Fort with elephant ride up to the Fort. Amber Fort is 12 kms from Jaipur and was built in 18th century by Maharaja Jai Singh II, on the outskirts of Jaipur. PM : Jaipur city tour visiting The City palace contains a museum with rare manuscripts, fine specimens of Rajput and Mughal paintings and an armory, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar observatory, built in 1726, is series of mathematical instruments built in masonry with marvelous precision, and drive past to Albert Hall and Ram Niwas and Birla temple complex. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 04: Jaipur / Fatehpur Sikri / Agra (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
After breakfast drive to Agra via Fatehpur Sikri. Fatehpur Sikri, a red sandstone deserted city built by Akbar around 1570 to commemorate the birth of his son, is probably the halls, palaces and mosque are still in a state of perfection as are the tomb of Salim Chisti and the Buland Darwaza. Akbar used the highest quality craftmen to construct the city only to abandon it some years later because water supply failed. On arrival Agra check in at hotel.
PM : After lunch city tour of Agra visiting the Taj Mahal ,Agra Fort. The Taj Mahal was built between 1630-1653 by Emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial in white marble to his queen Mumtaz Mahal. Taj Mahal is one of the seven wonders of the world and the greatest love stories ever written with white marble and precious stones.
Agra Fort was built by Akbar in 1565 and this rusty red sandstone fort stands like a crescent on the bank of Yamuna river. It is one of the finest forts in India and is a silent witness to the numerous palaces, pavilions and buildings which echo the story of Mughal Empire. Overnight Agra.
Day 05: Agra / Delhi (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
After breakfast proceed for Delhi. Lunch at Lotus Pond Chinese Restaurant in Delhi. PM : Sightseeing Delhi , visiting Bahai temple and drive past to the Qutab Minar, Dinner at Local restaurant. Check in at Hotel. Overnight.
Day 06 : Delhi – Varanasi (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
After breakfast transfer to airport to flight for Varanasi. On arrival check in at hotel. PM : Sarnath about 10 kms from the holy city of Varanasi – is the blessed locale where more than 2500 years ago Buddha choose to deliver his first sermon. Overnight Hotel Varanasi.
Varanasi : The eternal city is one of the most important Pilgrim sites in India and also a major Tourist Attraction, situated on the banks of the sacred Ganges.The name Varanasi derived from two rivers. The Varuna and Assi. It is a Great Centre of learning and Civilization. It is also known as Kashi and Banaras. Early morning boat ride on the river Ganges to see the sunrise and the bathing Ghats of an ancient Hindu city. Thereafter visiting Bharat Mata Temple, Banaras Hindu University, Kasi Vishwanath Temple. Return to hotel for breakfast and bath.
Dat 08: Varanasi / Bodhgaya (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
AM : Drive Varanasi to Boghgaya ,which is 243 kms approx.7 hrs drive (with packed lunch) . On arrival check in at hotel. Bodhgaya in the state of Bihar, reckoned as the most important Buddhist pilgrimage centre, is the place where Lord Sakyamuni (Gautam Buddha) entered into meditation after being moved by the sufferings of mankind. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 09: Bodhgaya (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
After breakfast , morning visit Mahabodhi Temple & Bodhi Tree, Great Buddha Statue, Niranjana River, Sujata Temple - which is across the Niranja river & it's 30 minutes walk through the paddy fields. Also visit various other Buddhist Temples in Bodhgaya. Lunch and dinner at hotel. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 10: Bodhgaya / Rajgir – Nalanda / Rajgir / Patna (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Morning leave for Rajgir.Visit Rajgir the Vulture Hill, World Peace Stupa, Bamboo's Garden. Then continue to Nalanda to visit the ruins of world oldest University. : Which is 14 kms drive, and It was one of the oldest Universities of the World & International Centre for Buddist Studies. Thereafter drive to patna, on arrival check in at hotel. Dinner and overnight Patna.
Day 11: Patna - Vaishali - Kushinagar
Early morning drive to Kushinagar (approx 253 kms / 7 hrs) with packed lunch enroute visiting Vaishali. On arrival check-in at hotel. Afternoon visit Mahaparinirwana Temple (where Buddha took his last breathe) and Rambhar Stupa (cremation site of lord Buddha) and Japan Temple. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 12 : Kushinagar / Lumbini
After breakfast drive (170 kms / approx 04 hrs drive) to Lumbini (in Nepal). While
going to Lumbini, stop at India/Nepal border for Visa/Immigration formalities. Later check-in at Hotel. Visit Lumbini, the Birth place of Lord Buddha. Lunch at hotel. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 13: Lumbini / Sravasti
Morning after breakfast drive to Kapilvastu (10 kms) and the continue to Sravasti (150 kms). On arrival check in at hotel. Afternoon visit Sahet Mahet (Capital of ancient kingdom of Kosala, Jetawana Gardens Buddhist temples.
Day 14: Sravasti-Lucknow-Delhi
Drive 4 hrs to Lucknow. Arrive Lucknow and Lunch at a hotel. Thereafter transfer to airport to board flight to Delhi., and transfer to International Airport at night.
