The Buddhist Pilgrimage

The book is arranged as a pilgrimage itinerary following the major places connected with the Buddha’s life and later Buddhist memory. Chapter 1, “Following the Buddha,” introduces the idea of pilgrimage and the difficulty of identifying ancient Buddhist sites after centuries of loss, destruction, and rediscovery. Chapter 2 presents Lumbini as the Buddha’s birthplace, discussing Queen Māyā, the Aśokan pillar, the sacred tank, the Mahāmāyā temple, and the modern rebuilding of the site. Chapter 3 treats Kapilavastu, the Śākya homeland, and related debates about ancient locations. Chapter 4 discusses Piprahawa and the Great Renunciation. Chapter 5 follows the fasting period near Uruvilva, while Chapter 6 focuses on Bodh-Gaya and Enlightenment. Chapter 7 presents Sarnath and the first sermon. Chapter 8 studies Rajagriha and the order of monks. Later chapters cover Shravasti, Vaishali, Pava and Kushinagara, Nalanda, and the continuing idea of the living Buddha. The book also contains lists of photographs, maps and plans, further reading, and an index.