Cool Bihari

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

The Buddha, A Film by David Grubin

Watch the full episode. See more The Buddha.

This documentary for PBS by award-winning filmmaker David Grubin and narrated by Richard Gere, tells the story of the Buddha’s life, a journey especially relevant to our own bewildering times of violent change and spiritual confusion. It features the work of some of the world’s greatest artists and sculptors, who across two millennia, have depicted the Buddha’s life in art rich in beauty and complexity. Hear insights into the ancient narrative by contemporary Buddhists, including Pulitzer Prize winning poet W.S. Merwin and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Join the conversation and learn more about meditation, the history of Buddhism, and how to incorporate the Buddha’s teachings on compassion and mindfulness into daily life.

Labels: Bihar Heritage, Bihar Tourism, Bodh Gaya, Brand Bihar, Lord Buddha

Posted by Ajit Chouhan at 9:49 PM | Permalink | Comments

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

Revisiting Bihar

It always a great experience to take photos in Bihar. In the last two weeks I had the chance to take some shots in my native village Minapur near Muzzafarpur and also had the privilege to visit Vaishali again after a long time.

Historically important, Vaishali, on the left bank of the Gandak river, is spiritually supreme. Lord Buddha visited this place frequently and at Kolhua, close by, preached his last sermon. To commemorate the event, Emperor Ashoka, in the third century B.C. erected one of his famous lion pillars here. A hundred years after the Mahaparinirvana of the Buddha - Vaishali hosted the second great Buddhist council. Two stupas were erected to commemorate this event. Jainism, too, has its origins in Vaishali, Lord Mahavir was born in 540 B.C. in vaishali and died in 468 B. C. in Pawapuri. Vaishali is then twice blessed and remains an important pilgrim center for both Buddhists and Jains, attracting also historians foraging for the past.

On the outskirts of Vaishali stood the grand double storied Buddhist monastery. Buddha often discoursed here. Much against his wishes, he extended spiritual enfranchisement to women by admitting them to the Holy Order which was founded here. Legend has it that on one of his visits, several monkeys dug up a tank for his comfortable stay and offered him a bowl of honey. This is regarded as one of the great incidents in the legends of Buddha, who announced his approaching Nirvana and preached his last sermon here. The Lichchhavis came a long way to bid him farewell on his way to Kushinagara and finally, they were stopped by a river created by Buddha. He once again paused to have a last of his much loved city. As a piety for Vaishali, he had already given his alms bowl which remained here for long time.

A life size-pillar beside a brick stupa at Kolhua commemorates Buddha's last sermon and announcement of his approaching nirvana. The lion faces north, the direction Buddha took on his last voyage. Adjacent to this is the tank associated with the monkeys offering honey. Nearby are the skeletal remains of a monastery where Buddha resided and a votive stupas dot the region.

Ashokan Pillar : Emperor Ashoka built The Lion Pillar at Kolhua. It is made of a highly polished single piece of red sandstone, surmounted by a bell shaped capital, 18.3 m high. A life-size figure of a lion is placed on top of the pillar. There is a small tank here known as Ramkund. This pillar beside a brick stupa at Kolhua commemorates Buddha's last sermon.

Budha Stupa-II : Excavation at this site in 1958 led to the discovery of another casket containing the ashes of the Lord Buddha.Kundalpur:Birth place of Lord Mahavira. It is believed that the Jain Tirthankar, Lord Mahavir was born over 2550 years ago. Mahavir is said to have spent the first 22 years of his life here.

On one side of the Abhishek Pushkarni is the Vishwa Shanti Stupa(World Peace Stupa) that adds to the glory of Vaishali. It is sixth in the series to be created in India after Rajgir, Dhauli, Leh, Wardha and Darjeeling by Nipponzan Myohoji under the guidance of Rev.Fuji guruji of Japan. The 125 feet tall peace pagoda, inaugurated on Oct 23, 1996, was constructed over the ruins of the sixth century BC stupa that also contained the casket with the ashes of Buddha. Buddha is believed to have preached his last sermon here which was the sixteenth chapter, Saddharmapundarika Sutra.

Labels: Ashoka Pillar, Bihar Culture, Bihar Heritage, Bihar Images, Bihar Tourism, Brand Bihar, Buddha Stupa, Jainism, Lord Buddha, Lord Mahavir, Minapur, Muzaffarpur, Peace Pagoda, Vaishali

Posted by Ajit Chouhan at 8:21 PM | Permalink | Comments

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Bihar welcomes one and all

Last few weeks Bihar saw some high profile visits by national and international dignataties. First Former President Abdul Kalam visited Nalanda to review the progress for the international University and he also addressed a talk on Bihar as a knowledge hub .

He said that Aryabhatt, a noted scientist from Bihar, was a source of inspiration for him. Not only is Bihar the land of Aryabhatt but also of Chandragupta Maurya, Mahavir and Gautam Buddha. He said that he felt proud to be here in the land of greats. He appeared very much impressed by what he said the beautiful land of Bihar.

After the ex-president it was the turn of the President of India’s day visit to the state.Pratibha Patil visited Bodh Gaya, Nalanda, Vaishali and Patna Saheb. Ms. Patil visited Gaya and she also went to Nalanda and saw the historical remains of the Nalanda University and Museum.

Ms. Patil visited the Maha Bodhi temple and said that Lord Buddha’s teachings were an inspiration to Mahatma Gandhi in his pursuance of ahimsa and peace and that these tenets were still relevant for mankind. She later inaugurated the cultural programme of 12 universities on the campus of Magadh University and called upon teachers to prepare their pupils for the challenges ahead. She also called upon the youth to maintain their unity and strength in making the country a power to reckon with.

Finally the state also welcomed another Son of Bihar when Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam visited Bihar. Ramgoolam arrived on a three-day visit, his first to Bihar. Overcome by emotion as he landed, the Mauritius leader touched the ground after alighting from the aircraft and smeared some mud on his forehead.

The Mauritius prime minister spoke in Bhojpuri - a dialect of Hindi common in western Bihar - to say good evening and convey the good wishes of the people of Mauritius at a civic reception here Monday evening. He said that though his ancestors went to the Indian Ocean island nation from Bhojpur district, for him the entire Bihar was the birthplace. Ramgoolam's grandfather Mohit was among those taken by the British in 1871. Most of the workers then were from Bhojpur, Chapra, Gopalganj and East and West Champaran. About 60 percent of the 1.2 million population of Mauritius is of Indian origin.

These visits clearly shows the recognition of Bihar’s revival and acknowledgment of its contribution to humanity.As more and more people realize the potential and achievements of Bihar and Biharis we will see a visible change in the general perception about the state.

Labels: Abdul Kalam, Bihar Culture, Lord Buddha, Mauritius, Pratibha Patil, President, Ramgoolam

Posted by Ajit Chouhan at 11:14 PM | Permalink | Comments