Bodhgaya History
Bodhgaya’s history dates back to the time immemorial. Through the years, it has been rebuilt and reimagined. It is rich in significance and stories. Bodhgaya is a holy spot and pilgrimage site, a part of Mahabodhi Temple Complex in the Gaya district of Bihar; it is renowned for the place where Gautama Buddha is believed to have achieved enlightenment (Great Awakening or Bodhimandala ).
The name of the place, Bodh Gaya, did not become popular until the 17th century BCE. In the past, it was named Uruvela, Sambodhi, Vajrasana or Mahabodhi. The principal monastery of Bodh Gaya was once known as the Bodhimanda-vihara (Pali). It is now called Mahabodhi Temple.
To Buddhists, Bodh Gaya is one of the four major holy sites of the life and teachings of Gautama Buddha, and the three others are Kushinagar, Lumbini, and Sarnath. In 2002, Mahabodhi temple Bodhgaya, became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Bodhgaya History & Its Significance
A small temple under the Bodhi tree, Bodhgaya, was constructed in the 7th century, following the first temple built in the 3rd century BCE by Mauryan King Ashoka.
As per Buddhist tradition, around 500 BC, Prince Gautama, who was wandering to asceticism, landed on the wooded shores of the Falgu River near the city of Gaya. He sat in meditation under the bodhi tree (Ficus religiosa). Three days later, after three consecutive nights of deep meditation, Siddharta asserted to have achieved enlightenment, as well as the answers he had been seeking. Siddharta then spent seven weeks in seven different places in the area, contemplating his experiences. Following the seven weeks, he traveled to Sarnath in Varanasi and started preaching sermons, thereby spreading the Buddhism religion throughout the world.
The disciples of Gautama Siddhartha started to visit this specific place during the full moon of the month of Vaisakh (April-May), as per the Hindu calendar. The place was referred to as Bodh Gaya, the date as Buddha Purnima, and the TreeTree was referred to as Bodhi Tree.
The story of Bodh Gaya is documented in numerous inscriptions and accounts of pilgrimage. Most notable among them are the stories that relate to the Chinese travelers Faxian from the 5th century as well as Xuanzang during the seventh century. The region was at the center of the Buddhist civilization for centuries until the Turkic army ravaged it in the 13th century.
Mahabodhi Temple
The Mahabodhi complex, located in Bodh Gaya, includes the Mahabodhi Temple with the diamond throne (called the Vajrasana) and the Sacred Bodhi tree. There is a belief that around 250 years after the Enlightenment of Buddha, Emperor Asoka was in Bodh Gaya and constructed the Mahabodhi temple. It consisted of an elongated tower crowned by a stupa and the chhatravali sitting on the platform. The spire’s mouldings were filled with Buddha images carved into niches. Many historians claim that the structure was built or renovated in the first century of the Kushan period. With the decline of Buddhism in India, the temple was subsequently abandoned and forgotten, covered with layers of sand and soil.
Sir Alexander Cunningham later restored the temple in the latter 19th century. It was in 1883 that Cunningham, as well as J. D. Beglar and Dr. Rajendralal Miitra painstakingly excavated the site, and much of the renovation work was completed to restore Bodh Gaya to its former splendor.
Additional Buddhist temples in Bodhgaya
Kittisirimegha from Sri Lanka, a contemporary of Samudragupta, built a Sangharama near the Mahabodhi Vihara specifically for the use of people who were Singhalese monks who went there to pray at the Bodhi tree. The details of the Sangharama are described in the work of Hiouen Thsang. He describes the scene as seen by him. Most probably, It was here that Buddhaghosa first met the Elder Revata, who convinced him to travel to Ceylon.
A number of Buddhist monasteries and temples were constructed by the inhabitants of Bhutan, China, Japan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sikkim, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Tibet, and Vietnam across a vast region in and around the Mahabodhi Temple. The buildings are a reflection of the style of architecture and the interior and exterior decoration of the countries they belong to. The sculpture of Buddha at the Chinese temple is more than 200 years old and was imported from China. The Japanese Nippon temple is designed to resemble a pagoda. Its Myanmar (Burmese) temple, too, is pagoda-shaped and has a resemblance to Bagan. The Thai temple is typical, with a curving, sloping roof that is covered by golden tiles. The inside of the temple is home to an enormous bronze statue of Buddha. Near it, the Thai shrine is a 25-meter statue of Buddha set in a park that has been there for more than 100 years.
How To Reach Bodhgaya?
You can get to Bodh Gaya by flight since Bodh Gaya has an international airport that is serviced by numerous airline companies like Druk Air, Thai Airways, Air India and so on. You can also take a flight to Patna, Approximately 112 km ( the closest and busiest airport to Gaya), and then use a train, deluxe bus, or taxi to get to Bodh Gaya.
Conclusion
The Bodhgaya history dates back to the very ancient times..The name of the place, Bodh Gaya, did not appear until the 18th century CE. It was previously known as Uruvela or Sambodhi “Complete Enlightenment” and Mahabodhi “Great Awakening.” It is believed that Buddha reached enlightenment in this particular location, proven by tradition, and is now known as Bodh Gaya; this is extremely valuable to all of humanity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ancient name of Bodh Gaya?
Bodh Gaya is considered to be the most holy place in Buddhism. The site was referred to as Uruvela during the time of the Buddha and is located along the banks of the Lilajan River. The first temple at this site was constructed by the king Ashoka.
Which sacred tree is there in Bodhgaya?
The name of the Sacred Tree is the Bodhi Tree. It is a particular holy tree scientifically known as Ficus religiosa beneath which the Buddha was seated when he achieved the state of Enlightenment (Bodhi) in Bodh Gaya.
Why is Bodh Gaya famous?
The city is renowned as the place where Gautama Buddha is believed to have gained the state of enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree. From the very ancient time, Bodh Gaya has remained an object of veneration and pilgrimage for Hindus as well as Buddhists as well.
