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Published: February 15th 2009
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The New Buddhist Temple
Mulagandhakuti Vihara. Behind it is Deer Park. The Indian tourism bureau gave us a map and it's listed as "Sarnath." After a bit of research online, I can only conclude that either spelling is correct. After our Ganges boat ride we had a driver for the rest of the day. We decided to get out of the city and head to Sarnath a few km away. Sarnath is where the Buddha first preached his first sermon about the Dharma or Four Noble Truths and is considered a holy pilgrimage site.
There are many Buddhist temples and monasteries: Tibetan, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Thai, Burmese. We visited the Tibetan Monastery and Japanese Monastery. We didn't see the others. Or at least, our driver didn't show them to us. There are also Buddhist stupas scattered around the town.
The main Buddhist temple in Deer Park, Mulagandhakuti Vihara, was built in 1931. Right next to the Mulagandhakuti Vihara, there is a tree growing. The tree is significant because it was grown from a branch from a tree in Sri Lanka. The tree in Sri Lanka is significant because it was grown from a branch from the tree Buddha sat under when he gave sermons.
The Dhamek Stupa,
right next to Deer Park, is said to be where Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. It's about 43 meters high and 28 meters across. Reminents of carvings appear on the stones.
It was wonderful to stop in the temples--I felt calmed and at peace by the end. The monasteries do accept donations and the Tibetan one was the only place I gave money freely my entire trip. In the corner was a monk chanting scripture while incense burned, permeating my senses. Behind the Dalai Lama's throne was the alter. It was huge and had a large, golden Buddha statue. Light played with the images on the alters around the room and with the pictures in the wallpaper. It was magical, majestic, and humbling at the same time.
After the Tibetan Monastery we went across the street for some momo dumplings. It's the only time I ate at a non-fancy restaurant. Rama would have never let us, worrying we would get sick. The Tibetans in were in the back playing cards when we walked in. We sat at one of the 2 tables, next to a lightly draped door. The walls were bare. Our momos arrived
quickly and we dived in. They were divine.
After the Tibetan Monastery and momo stop, we went to the Japanese Monastery. It had beautiful grounds. There were some gardens, many pruned trees and statues. Right inside the door, first thing, was a reclining, wooden Buddha. There were shrines seeming to flank him on the back wall. The white walls were calming and the space felt very open and soothing.
I find it interesting that 2 monasteries dedicated to the same thing can have such different feelings and, seemingly, approaches. Were it not for the Buddha statutes and signs I might have thought I was visiting two very different things.
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