Rajgir – Bihar
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Rajgir is situated in the state of Bihar, encircled by five holy hills. It lies at a distance of approximately 34 km from the city of Gaya. The name of the town has been derived from the words 'Raj Griha', meaning 'the abode of the king'. During the lifetime of Lord Buddha, Rajgir served as the capital city of the Magadh Empire. It also has the distinction of serving as the host to Lord Buddha, during the reign of King Bimbisara.
Prince Siddhartha (early name of Lord Buddha) came to Rajgir, after he renounced the luxuries of life and undertook asceticism. Two of the rock-cut caves of Rajgir were the favorite retreats of the Buddha. It was here that He preached two of his most renowned sermons.
At the time of the Buddha, Rajagriha was the capital of Magadha and was ruled by King Seniya Bimbisara (circa 543 B.C-491 B.C.). After turning the Wheel of law at Sarnath, Lord Buddha came to Rajagriha. On knowing that the Sakyan Prince whom he had met years ago and tried to dissuade him from the path of holiness has since become a Buddha, King Bimbisara hastened to visit the Blessed One. He presented the Bamboo-grove (Venuvana, Veluvana) to the Buddha and becameHis lay devotee. The Buddha accepted it any stayed there for some time. There resided at that time at Rajagriha a religious teacher, Sanjaya with about 250 disciples. Among them were two young disciples, namely, Sariputta and Moggallana. Not satisified with the teachings of Sanjaya, they were in search of something better. One day per chance Sariputta saw Assaji, one of the Panchvargiya Bhikkhus, going for alms in the city of Rajagriha. Impressed by the dignified and pleasant deportment of Assaji, Saiputta approached him and asked, "friend, who is your teacher Whose Dhamma do you prefess" On knowing abouth the Buddha and His teachings in brief from Assaji, Sariputta told all about them to his friend, Moggallana. Soon thereafter, both of them became Buddha’s disciples. In the Buddhist history, Sariputta and moggallana are known as the chief disciples of the Buddha.
In subsequent years, the Buddha visited Rajagriha several times and passed as many as five rainy seasons (2nd, 3rd,4th 17th and 20th) there. The favourite resorts of the Buddha at Rajagriha were the Venuvana (bamboo-grove) and the Gridharakuta (the vulture peak). As a result of this missionary work, many nobles and other householders of Rajagriha became lay disciples of the Buddha. An important lay disciple was Jivaka, the noted physician of the royal family. Following the conversion of Sariputta and Moggallana, a large number of parivrajikas also became followers of the Buddha. Thus Rajagriha had became an important centre of Buddhism during the life time of the Buddha.
Rajagriha was also the scene of a revolt against the Buddha by Devadatta, a cousin of the Buddha, who had joined the Sangha along with Ananda, upali and other Sakyas Devadatta wanted to be named as Buddha’s successor which the Buddha refused. In frustration, Devadatta tried to kill the Buddha. First by letting loose a rougue elephant. Nalagiri which the Buddha tamed; and second time by hurling a rock when the Tathagata was resting on the Gridharakuta, which injured a toe of the Buddha. In his attempt to bring schism in the Sangha and harming the Buddha, Devadatta was assisted by Ajatasatru, who had imprisoned his father , King Bimbisara, and usurped the throne.
As the story gores, Ajatsatru, athe murder of his father was unable to sleep. So to seek solace, he decided to wait on the Buddha. The King left at night by torch-light, mounter on an elephant and accompanied by a large number of attendants on elephants and on foot. This episode is illustrated at harhut. The sculpture shows Ajatasatru’s procession to the Venivana; his dismounting from the elephant near the dwelling place of the Buddha; and lastly worshipping the foortprints of the Buddha. The inscription below this Bharhut sculpture says, "Ajatasatru Bhagavato Vindate." Ajatsatru ruled from 491 B.C.-459 B.C. He later relented, sought pardon of the Buddha and became his follower. After the Mahaparinirvana, Ajatasatru raised a lofty and beautiful stupa over the relics of the Buddha which he had obtained from Kushinara.
When the Master had gone, His disciples thought of codifying His teachings in order to preserve their pristinme purity. For this purpose, a Sangiti or council was held at Rajagriha under the Presidentship of Ven. Kasyapa. At this Council, the Sutta-pitaka was condified on the basis of the answers given by Ven. Ananda to the questions put by Ven. Maha Kasyapa. Ven Upali was the chief authority on the Vinaya. According to tradition, this Council was held in a large hall, in front of the Saptaparni cave, specially built for the purpose by King Ajatasatru.
Fa-hian went up the vulture peak also and worshipped at the cave where the Buddha had sat in meditation. He says, "Three li from the summit there is a cave in the rock, facing south, where Buddha sat in meditation. Also the place where Buddha was pacing up and down, east and west, in front of his cave when Devadatta from among the crage in the north of the mountain wickedly threw a rock at him and wounded him at the toe."
Fa-hian adds: "Thirty paces to the north-west, there is another cave, in which Ananda was sitting in meditation when the Mara changed himself into a vulture and stood before the cave in order to frighten Ananda; but the Buddha by his divine power pierced the rock, and stretching his hand strocked Ananda’s shoulder, so that his fear was allayed. The tracks of the bird and the whole for Buddha’s hand are both still to be seen; hence the name Vulture-Cave Mountain."
Hiuen-Tsang, the second Chinese pilgrim, visited Rajagriha in about A.D. 637-A.D. 638. He saw the Buddhist monasteried and Stupas seen by Fa-hian, and many more. Hiuen-Tsang gives a graphic account of what he saw at Rajagriha, which had been practically deserted by then. About the Stupa built by Askoa he saya that it is about 60 feet high; by the side of it is a stone Pillat, which is about 50 feet high, and on the top has the figure of an elephant. ‘He also gives an interesting account of the Hot Springs and saya that ‘on the right and left of the warm springs are many Stupas and the remains of Viharas close together.’
Hiuen-Tsang saw the venuvana monasteru in ruins where only the foundation and the brick walls of a Vihara existed. He also notices the Pippala stone house, said to be the cave of Mahakassapa, the Saptapani cave and numerous Stupas, including one enclosing the relics of half of the Body of Ananda.
About the Vulture Peak, Hien-tsang says: "The summit of this mountain is long from east to the west and narrow from north to south. There is a brick Vihara on the borders of a steep precipice at the western end of the mountain. It is high and wide and beautifully construted. The door opens to the east. Here Tathagata often stopped and preached the law. There is now a figure of his preaching the law, of the same size as life."
"To the east of this Vihara, is a long stone on which Tathagata trod as he walked up and down for exercise. This is the place where Devadatta flung a stone from a distance to strike Buddha."
"South of this, below the precipice, is a stupa. Here Tathagata delivered the Saddharma-Pudarika Sutra." There is an evidence to show that Rajagriha remained apopular Buddhist shrine till about A.D. 12th century. There after, it fell into ruins and was forgotten lke other Buddhist shrines. Ancient Rajagriha has since been identified with Rajgir in the Patna district of Bihar.
The modern village of Rajgir, covers a part of New Rajagriha built by Ajatasatru. New Rajagriha is said to have been "protected by a massive wall of earth, pentagon in shape, with a circuit of nearly 5 kms. On the south, towards the hills, a portion of the fortified area was cut off to from a citadel.The wall once surrounding the town has almost entirely disappeared; but the citadel wall is still fairly preserved, and a small portion of its southern section, with a gateway, has been exposed. The wall is about 4.57 metres to 5.50 metres thick and stands to a height of 3.35 metres at places."
Not far off from the hot springs on the main road leading from Rajgir to Banganga defile, one comes across the north gate of the outer fortifications or old Rajagriha near the narrow gap between the Vaibhara and Vipula hills. It is said that one day King Bimbisara, who had gone for a bath in the Tapoda (the Sarasvati, the chief hot spring) was delayed, and when returning to the town found this gate closed. He, therefore, passed the night with the Buddha in the nearby Venuvana monastery.
Lord Buddha delivered many discourses here, after His enlightenment. Two of His most important sutras, the Lotus Sutra and the Prajnaparamita, were dispensed at Gridhakuta Hill.
Prince Siddhartha (early name of Lord Buddha) came to Rajgir, after he renounced the luxuries of life and undertook asceticism. Two of the rock-cut caves of Rajgir were the favorite retreats of the Buddha. It was here that He preached two of his most renowned sermons.
Sanctity
Rajagriha (Pali: Rajagaha), modern Rajgir, was known in ancient days by more than one name. In the Ramayana, it is called Vasumati. In the Mahabharata and in the puranas, it is known as Barhadrathapura. Some Sanskrit Buddhist texts and the Haina texts call it Kusagrapura. It was also known a sGirivraja because of the hills encircling it on all sides. The hills that surround Rajagriha are traditionally five in in number, though their names slightly vary according to Buddhist, Jaina and Hindu traditions. In the Pali texts, the five hills are known as Vebhara (Vaibhara), Pandava Vepulla (Vaipulya), Gijjhakuta (Gridhrakuta) and Isigili (Rishigiri).At the time of the Buddha, Rajagriha was the capital of Magadha and was ruled by King Seniya Bimbisara (circa 543 B.C-491 B.C.). After turning the Wheel of law at Sarnath, Lord Buddha came to Rajagriha. On knowing that the Sakyan Prince whom he had met years ago and tried to dissuade him from the path of holiness has since become a Buddha, King Bimbisara hastened to visit the Blessed One. He presented the Bamboo-grove (Venuvana, Veluvana) to the Buddha and becameHis lay devotee. The Buddha accepted it any stayed there for some time. There resided at that time at Rajagriha a religious teacher, Sanjaya with about 250 disciples. Among them were two young disciples, namely, Sariputta and Moggallana. Not satisified with the teachings of Sanjaya, they were in search of something better. One day per chance Sariputta saw Assaji, one of the Panchvargiya Bhikkhus, going for alms in the city of Rajagriha. Impressed by the dignified and pleasant deportment of Assaji, Saiputta approached him and asked, "friend, who is your teacher Whose Dhamma do you prefess" On knowing abouth the Buddha and His teachings in brief from Assaji, Sariputta told all about them to his friend, Moggallana. Soon thereafter, both of them became Buddha’s disciples. In the Buddhist history, Sariputta and moggallana are known as the chief disciples of the Buddha.
In subsequent years, the Buddha visited Rajagriha several times and passed as many as five rainy seasons (2nd, 3rd,4th 17th and 20th) there. The favourite resorts of the Buddha at Rajagriha were the Venuvana (bamboo-grove) and the Gridharakuta (the vulture peak). As a result of this missionary work, many nobles and other householders of Rajagriha became lay disciples of the Buddha. An important lay disciple was Jivaka, the noted physician of the royal family. Following the conversion of Sariputta and Moggallana, a large number of parivrajikas also became followers of the Buddha. Thus Rajagriha had became an important centre of Buddhism during the life time of the Buddha.
Rajagriha was also the scene of a revolt against the Buddha by Devadatta, a cousin of the Buddha, who had joined the Sangha along with Ananda, upali and other Sakyas Devadatta wanted to be named as Buddha’s successor which the Buddha refused. In frustration, Devadatta tried to kill the Buddha. First by letting loose a rougue elephant. Nalagiri which the Buddha tamed; and second time by hurling a rock when the Tathagata was resting on the Gridharakuta, which injured a toe of the Buddha. In his attempt to bring schism in the Sangha and harming the Buddha, Devadatta was assisted by Ajatasatru, who had imprisoned his father , King Bimbisara, and usurped the throne.
As the story gores, Ajatsatru, athe murder of his father was unable to sleep. So to seek solace, he decided to wait on the Buddha. The King left at night by torch-light, mounter on an elephant and accompanied by a large number of attendants on elephants and on foot. This episode is illustrated at harhut. The sculpture shows Ajatasatru’s procession to the Venivana; his dismounting from the elephant near the dwelling place of the Buddha; and lastly worshipping the foortprints of the Buddha. The inscription below this Bharhut sculpture says, "Ajatasatru Bhagavato Vindate." Ajatsatru ruled from 491 B.C.-459 B.C. He later relented, sought pardon of the Buddha and became his follower. After the Mahaparinirvana, Ajatasatru raised a lofty and beautiful stupa over the relics of the Buddha which he had obtained from Kushinara.
When the Master had gone, His disciples thought of codifying His teachings in order to preserve their pristinme purity. For this purpose, a Sangiti or council was held at Rajagriha under the Presidentship of Ven. Kasyapa. At this Council, the Sutta-pitaka was condified on the basis of the answers given by Ven. Ananda to the questions put by Ven. Maha Kasyapa. Ven Upali was the chief authority on the Vinaya. According to tradition, this Council was held in a large hall, in front of the Saptaparni cave, specially built for the purpose by King Ajatasatru.
History
Rajagriha last political status after the demise of Ajatasatru as his successor Udayin ci. 459 B.C.-443 BC.) transferred his capital from Rajagriha to Pataliputra (modern Patna). But Rajagriha continued to be an important Buddhist centre for centuries thereafter, Because of its importance, Asoka erected a Stupa and a Pillar, with an elephant-capital, at Rajagriha. When about 650 years later Fa-hian visited Rajagriha in A.D. fifth century, he saw the Venuvana monastery with resident monks as well as another monastery and a number of Stupas raised by the devotees on the various spots associated with the Buddha.Fa-hian went up the vulture peak also and worshipped at the cave where the Buddha had sat in meditation. He says, "Three li from the summit there is a cave in the rock, facing south, where Buddha sat in meditation. Also the place where Buddha was pacing up and down, east and west, in front of his cave when Devadatta from among the crage in the north of the mountain wickedly threw a rock at him and wounded him at the toe."
Fa-hian adds: "Thirty paces to the north-west, there is another cave, in which Ananda was sitting in meditation when the Mara changed himself into a vulture and stood before the cave in order to frighten Ananda; but the Buddha by his divine power pierced the rock, and stretching his hand strocked Ananda’s shoulder, so that his fear was allayed. The tracks of the bird and the whole for Buddha’s hand are both still to be seen; hence the name Vulture-Cave Mountain."
Hiuen-Tsang, the second Chinese pilgrim, visited Rajagriha in about A.D. 637-A.D. 638. He saw the Buddhist monasteried and Stupas seen by Fa-hian, and many more. Hiuen-Tsang gives a graphic account of what he saw at Rajagriha, which had been practically deserted by then. About the Stupa built by Askoa he saya that it is about 60 feet high; by the side of it is a stone Pillat, which is about 50 feet high, and on the top has the figure of an elephant. ‘He also gives an interesting account of the Hot Springs and saya that ‘on the right and left of the warm springs are many Stupas and the remains of Viharas close together.’
Hiuen-Tsang saw the venuvana monasteru in ruins where only the foundation and the brick walls of a Vihara existed. He also notices the Pippala stone house, said to be the cave of Mahakassapa, the Saptapani cave and numerous Stupas, including one enclosing the relics of half of the Body of Ananda.
About the Vulture Peak, Hien-tsang says: "The summit of this mountain is long from east to the west and narrow from north to south. There is a brick Vihara on the borders of a steep precipice at the western end of the mountain. It is high and wide and beautifully construted. The door opens to the east. Here Tathagata often stopped and preached the law. There is now a figure of his preaching the law, of the same size as life."
"To the east of this Vihara, is a long stone on which Tathagata trod as he walked up and down for exercise. This is the place where Devadatta flung a stone from a distance to strike Buddha."
"South of this, below the precipice, is a stupa. Here Tathagata delivered the Saddharma-Pudarika Sutra." There is an evidence to show that Rajagriha remained apopular Buddhist shrine till about A.D. 12th century. There after, it fell into ruins and was forgotten lke other Buddhist shrines. Ancient Rajagriha has since been identified with Rajgir in the Patna district of Bihar.
The modern village of Rajgir, covers a part of New Rajagriha built by Ajatasatru. New Rajagriha is said to have been "protected by a massive wall of earth, pentagon in shape, with a circuit of nearly 5 kms. On the south, towards the hills, a portion of the fortified area was cut off to from a citadel.The wall once surrounding the town has almost entirely disappeared; but the citadel wall is still fairly preserved, and a small portion of its southern section, with a gateway, has been exposed. The wall is about 4.57 metres to 5.50 metres thick and stands to a height of 3.35 metres at places."
Tourist Attractions in Rajgir
Hot Springs
Most of the hot water springs at Rajgir are at the fort of the Vaibhara Hill. These hot springs find mention in the sermons of the Buddha.Asokan Stupa
To the west of New Rajagriha, on the other side of the stream Sarasvati, is a large mound which marks the site of a Stupa, that of Asoka according to Hiuen-Tsang. The mound was 10 metres high when it was excavated by the Archaelolgical Survey in 1905-1906. In the western part of the mound, which was opened down a depth of 3 metres only, were found a number of miniature clay Stupas, about 5 cm. High and 2.5 cm. In diameter. Inside each of these miniature Stupas was a tiny clay tablet with the Buddhist creed ye dharma etc., inscribed in characters of the eighth or ninth century.Karanda Tank
About 150 metres to the north of the modern temples near the hot springs, there is a large tank immediately to the right of the foorpath. This has been identified with the Karanda tank where the Budddha used to take his bath.Venuvana (Bamboo Park)
A short distance from the southern bank of Karanda tank there is a large mound overgrown with shrubs and surmounted by a number of muslim tombs. This mound is believed to mark the site of the venuvana Vihara built by King Bimbisara for the residence of the Buddha. The little garden on the other side of the stream has been identified as a part of Venuvana, but it seems to be the Tapodarama monastery of the Pali Scriptures. The excavations here brought to light the foundations of a room and the bases of none brick Stupas surrounded by concrete floor. Some clay tablets impressed with the Buddhist creed in characters of the tenth or eleventh century, were also discovered.Not far off from the hot springs on the main road leading from Rajgir to Banganga defile, one comes across the north gate of the outer fortifications or old Rajagriha near the narrow gap between the Vaibhara and Vipula hills. It is said that one day King Bimbisara, who had gone for a bath in the Tapoda (the Sarasvati, the chief hot spring) was delayed, and when returning to the town found this gate closed. He, therefore, passed the night with the Buddha in the nearby Venuvana monastery.
Maniyar Math
About I km. From the north gate, to the right of the road, is a cylindrical brick-structure. It appears to be the site of an ancient monastery located between Rajgir and Bodh Gaya. Excavations have revealed successive shrines and structures.Swarna-Bhandar Cave
Towards the north-west of the Maniyar Math stands the Swarna Bhandar Cave. According to legend, this was Bimbisara’s treasury.Bimbisara Jail
About 1 km. From Maniyar Math, to the south of the road is an area, about 60 metres square, enclosed by a stone wall, about 2 metres thick. This has beeen identified with the prison in which Bimbisara was kept captive by his son Ajatasatru. It is said that from his prison Bimbisara was able to see the Buddha on the gridhrakuta.Jivaka’s mango-garden
The probale sites of the mango-garden of Jivaka and the Mardakushi monastery can be seen while going to the Gridhrakuta hill. Jivaka was the most famous physician of hs day and was attached to the royal court of Bimbisara and Ajatatru. He presented his extensive mango-garden (amravana) to the Buddha and built therein a monastery. The Mardakukshi monastery was situated close to the foot of Gridhrakuta. When wounded by a splinter of the great rock hurled at Him by Devadatta, Buddha was first brought here on a stretcher, before he could be removed to Jivaka’s monastery.Bimbisara Road
This road has an interesting history behind it. Hiuen-tsang tells us that when Bimbisara was about to visit Buddha on the Mount of Gridhrakuta, he collected a number of men to accompany him; ‘they leveled the valleys and spanned the precipices, and with the stones mada a staircase about 10 paces wide and 5 li to 6li long. This road, which Hiuen-Tsang traversed, still exists, and still affords the most convenient foorway in approaching Gridhrakuta. Proceeding up this road, one comes across tow brick Stupas, the first about 73 metres from the base and the second further up where the road turns to the north. Both these Stupas were noticed by Hiuen-Tsang who says that the first is a commemorative spot where Bimbisara gor down from his chariot and the second where the King sent back the crowd that was accompanuong him.Gridhrakuta (Vulture Peak)
The Gridhrakuta Hill was the favourite resort of the Buddha and the scene of many of His important sermons. Atop the Gridhrakuta Hill there are two natural cave with steps approaching them, which, in all probanlility, represent the ‘Caves’ mentioned by Hiuen-Tsang. Inside one of the caves were found a number of terracotta plagues with the seven Past Buddhas and Maitreya, the Future Buddha, seated in two rows and the Buddhist creed inscribed below each figure in immute characters.Lord Buddha delivered many discourses here, after His enlightenment. Two of His most important sutras, the Lotus Sutra and the Prajnaparamita, were dispensed at Gridhakuta Hill.