Rajgir or Rajgriha ?

 Vishwa Shanti Stupa

You have heard about the Griddhakute Paravata, where as per Buddhist Scriptures, Buddha spent three years with his Bhikkhus Sangha. He was welcomed here by the then,  very powerful and mighty King of Magadha.
 
 After turning the Wheel of Dhamma at Sarnatha,  Buddha return to Rajgriha to fulfill the promise, made to King Bimbisara when he was on his way to Pragbodhi Hill, in search of Enlightenment.

King Bimbisara, gave a warm welcome to with his ministers to Buddha. After giving  befitting discourses by Lord Buddha, King Bimbisara offered him Vanuvana, the magnificent Bamboo grove.

In commemoration to this, a vast Buddhist monument  'Vishwa Shanti Stupa' is constructed here. A Japanese Buddhist monk, Nichidatsu Fujii(1885-1985) constructed this Stupa(Pagoda) in 1969. Now, it is a world fame Buddhist serene.


It is said, Nichidasu Fujii has not only constructed this Stupa but many other Stupas are constructed by him or his guidance in different parts of the world.

It is the white marble stone of which the huge Stupa is made. It's hight is approx. 400 M having dome dia. 125 M. The Stupa is housed with four big statues of Lord Buddha at its four corners depicting four phases of Buddha's life i. e. Birth, Enlightenment, Teaching and Mahaparinirvana.

Aerial Rope way

Rajgir's old name was Rajgriha, the capital of the most powerful empire in India at that time.  It is surrounded by fives hills. It was the capital of King Bimbisara(542-492 BC), the Mauryan King. He was follower of lord Buddha. Later Ajatshatru,  the son of Bimbisara shifted his capital to Patilaputra.

Depicting Buddha' Mahaparinirvana

 It is 12 Km away from Nalanda.

To reach here, there is a aerial rope way having single seat chair. It takes 7 minutes approx. to reach here.  At head and tale points, there is adequate staff to guide. The chair having lock is good for safety purpose. This seven minutes journey of aerial rope way is indeed, full of thrilling and adventure.Sometimes, the passing of chair rope on the tower pulley generates awful sound.

Indian Jadi-Buties along pedestrian

There is foot way also.

One other Japanese 'Nipponzan Myohoji temple' is also that site.

Two rock-cut caves, one belongs to Sariputta and other belongs to Mogglayan are here.

Aerial rope way Exist

In Buddhist scripture, so many other things are cited. One of them is Jivakamaravana Monastery. It was donated by Jivak, a famous surgeon at that time,  to Bhikkhu Sangha.

As per Buddhist history, the first Buddhist Council after the Buddha, was hosted here.

Nipponzan Myohoji  temple

 Venuvana- This was built by King Bimbisara and gifted to Bhikkhus Sangha. But, presently seeing its site, one can hardly believe that this was a huge Bamboo grove to whom King Bimbisara gifted to Lord Buddha. In fact,  it is a little piece of land and if Government says, the land of Venuvana, then it is their headache.


It is in record that both Hiuen Tsang and Fahian had visited these sites during their India visit.

Up to 12th century, Buddhism was,  at least going to breaths in India,  as per Indian history.  However, this history was written by the very Hindus who were severe critics of Buddhism. We have no other facts to not believe that the repair work was done time to time by some king who were inclined to Buddhism.

Site need further excavation

Then came the era of Muslim empire. It is the Muslim evaders who made lost blow on the head of Buddhism through burning their books of literature and knowledge e.g. Takshila, Nalanda, Odantpuri like Universities. The impact of Muslim attack with the help of native Hindu rulers was resulted the complete destruction and uprooting Buddhism from the very its birth place.

The mind set of officers engaged in excavation seems not healthy with respect of Buddhism. It is clearly reflect from the excavation of these sites. The sites spread over vast area,  are full of mounds and debris. It is not the Rajgir's Hill which needs further excavation but there are hundred and thousands sites over India which needs to be unearthed.