Published: February 4th 2012February 4th 2012
Once Buddha was in a dejected mood as he did not succeed in his Yogic practices. He did not know where to go and what to do. A village girl noticed his sorrowful face. She approached him and said to him in a polite manner: "Venerated sir, may I bring some food for you? It seems you are very hungry". Gautama looked at her and said, "What is your name, my dear sister?”. The maiden answered, "Esteemed sir, my name is Sujata". Gautama said, "Sujata, I am very hungry. Can you really appease my hunger?".The innocent Sujata did not understand Gautama. Gautama was spiritually hungry. He was thirsting to attain supreme peace and Self-realization. He wanted spiritual food. Sujata placed some food before Gautama and entreated him to take it. Gautama smiled and said, "Beloved Sujata, I am highly pleased to see your kind and benevolent nature. Can this food appease my hunger?". Sujata replied, "Yes sir, it will appease your hunger. Kindly take it". Gautama began to eat the food underneath the shadow of a large tree, thence forth to be called as the great 'Bo-tree' or the tree of wisdom. Gautama sat in a meditative mood underneath the tree from early morning to sunset, with a fiery determination and an iron resolve, "Let me die. Let my body perish. Let my flesh dry up. I will not get up from this seat till I get full illumination". He plunged himself into deep meditation. At night he entered into deep Samadhi (super conscious state) underneath that sacred Bo-tree (Pipal tree). He was tempted by Maya in a variety of ways, but he stood adamant. He did not yield to Maya's allurements and temptations. He came out victorious with full illumination. He attained Nirvana (liberation). His face shone with divine splendor and effulgence. He got up from his seat and danced in divine ecstasy for seven consecutive days and nights around the sacred Bo-tree. Then he came to the normal plane of consciousness. His heart was filled with profound mercy and compassion. He wanted to share what he had with humanity. He traveled all over India and preached his doctrine and gospel. He became a savior, deliverer and redeemer.Buddha gave out the experiences of his Samadhi: "I thus behold my mind released from the defilement of earthly existence, released from the defilement of sensual pleasures, released from the defilement of heresy, released from the defilement of ignorance."In the liberated state arose the knowledge: "I am emancipated, rebirth is extinct, the religious walk is accomplished, what had to be done is done, and there is no need for the present existence. I have overcome all foes; I am all-wise; I am free from stains in every way; I have left everything and have obtained emancipation by the destruction of desire. Myself having gained knowledge, whom should I call my Master? I have no teacher; no one is equal to me. I am the holy one in this world; I am the highest teacher. I alone am the absolute omniscient one (Sambuddho). I have gained coolness by the extinction of all passion and have obtained Nirvana. To found the kingdom of law (Dharmo) I go to the city of Varnasi. I will beat the drum of immortality in the darkness of this world".Lord Buddha then walked on to Varnasi. He entered the 'deer-park' one evening. He gave his discourse there and preached his doctrine. He preached to all without exception, men and women, the high and the low, the ignorant and the learned - all alike. All his first disciples were laymen and two of the very first were women. The first convert was a rich young man named Yasa. The next were Yasa's father, mother and wife. Those were his lay disciples.Buddha argued and debated with his old disciples who had deserted him when he was in the Uruvila forest. He brought them round by his powerful arguments and persuasive powers. Kondanno, an aged hermit, was converted first. The others also soon accepted the doctrine of Lord Buddha. Buddha made sixty disciples and sent them in different directions to preach his doctrine.
Bestowed with a unique heritage and cultural traditions gathered through the ages, the land of Uttar Pradesh has also been graced by many a luminous personalities. Prominent among those who traversed the land was Lord Buddha. Known as the first missionary of spirituality, Buddha lived and preached in Uttar Pradesh and thus made the land as the 'Cradle of Buddhism'. He went beyond rituals, encouraging kings and the masses to look at their immortal identity, and to rise above the shackles of desire, longing, suffering and death. It is worth mentioning that He taught and traveled extensively in Uttar Pradesh-- Kapilvastu (where Lord Buddha spent his early years), Sarnath (where Lord Buddha, having attained enlightenment delivered his first sermon), Shravasti (where Lord Buddha spent 24 monsoons), Kaushambhi (where Lord Buddha visited in the 6th and 9th year after attaining the enlightenment), Sankisa (where Lord Buddha descended after giving sermon to his mother in heaven) and Kushinagar (where Lord Buddha left his corporeal self and attained Mahaparinirvana) are witness to this great spiritual Lord who soothes the world with a message of peace-'Be our own light'. This is the blog of the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department.With its traditions,culture,edifices and festivities U.P is the perfect potpourri of India.This page would provide insightful and intriguing information for all travel enthusiasts and for those seeking to taste a slice of India.Uttar pradesh has some of the world's most spectacular tourist destinations including its crowning jewel 'THE TAJ MAHAL'.Uttar pradesh tourism department hopes that this page intended for tourism evangelism would give you a glimpse of this divine and pristine land of legacy,culture and traditions.Visit Uttar Prade... full info
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The Indus Valley civilization, one of the oldest in the world, dates back at least 5,000 years. Aryan tribes from the northwest invaded about 1500 B.C.; their merger with the earlier Dravidian inhabitants created the classical Indian culture. Arab in...more info
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