MEANING OF PEACE

MEANING OF PEACE
 Once there was a king who offered a prize to the artist who could paint the best representation of peace. Many artists tried, and the king looked closely at all their pictures. But there were only two he really liked, and he had to choose between them.

One picture was of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror for peaceful towering mountains all around it. Overhead was a blue sky with fluffy white clouds. All who saw this picture thought that it was a perfect picture of peace. The other picture had mountains, too. But these were rugged and bare. Above was an angry sky, from which rain fell and in which lightning played. Down the side of the mountain tumbled a foaming waterfall. This did not look peaceful at all.

But when the king looked closely, he saw behind the waterfall a tiny bush growing in a crack in the rock. In the bush a mother bird had built her nest. There, in the midst of the rush of angry water, sat the mother bird on her nest - in perfect peace. Which picture do you think won the prize? The king chose the second picture. Why?

“Because,” explained the king, “peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. Peace means to be calm in midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart. That is the real meaning of peace.”

Mandala Explained

MANDALA EXPLAINED


According to Tibetan Buddhist history, the purpose, meaning and the techniques involved in the spiritual art of the sand Mandala painting were taught by Buddha Sakyamuni in the 6th century B. C. in India. The subject of a Tibetan sand painting is known in Sanskrit as a Mandala. In general all mandala’s have outer, inner and secret meanings. On the outer level they represent the world in its divine form; on the inner level they represent a map by which the ordinary human mind is transformed into enlightened mind; and on the secret level they depict the primordially perfect balance of the subtle energies of the body and the clear light dimension of the mind. The creation of a sand painting is said to effect purification and healing on these three levels.

Creation Process

Mandala can be visualized, painted or constructed from wood, precious jewels, rice, flower and so forth. From all the artistic traditions of Tantric Buddhism, that of painting with colored sand ranks as one of the most unique and exquisite because of its number and the great skill required to create the mandala's exquisite details. In Tibetan this art is called dul-tson-kyil-khor, which literally means "Mandala of colored powders

Before laying down the sand, the monks assigned to the project will draw the geometric measurements associated with the Mandala. The sand granules are then applied using small tubes, funnels, and scrapers, until the desired pattern over-top is achieved.

Ritual destruction

Traditionally most sand mandala’s are destroyed shortly after their completion Since the sand mandala’s are created in the spirit of impermanence and non attachment of live, after they are completed, they are dismantled with a ceremony and swept up placed in an urn carried to a nearby water and offered to the body of water The waters then carry the healing energies to the ocean, and from there it spreads throughout the world for planetary healing for the benefit of marine life, the environment and all sentient beings.

Map of PeaceLing

RAJGIR - VULTURE PEAK

Rajgir is situated in the state of Bihar.. It lies at a distance of approximately 34 km from the city of Gaya..Rajgir is an important Buddhist destination in indiaThe place is enveloped by river Banganga and 5 hills. Surrounded by the rocky hills, once a great city now remained as a a small village to tell about its its glorius past. Rajgir is famous for rock-cut caves, forts, Buddhist ruins, shell inscriptions, Hindu and Jain temples and Muslim tombs. Rajgir travel will enable you to explore some of the fascinating tourist spots in Rajgir like the Swarna Gufa, Ajatshastru Fort and Vultures Peak.
While on your tour to Rajgir do not miss to visit Venuvana Vihara, a much loved retreat of Lord Buddha gifted to him by King Bimbisara. The Griddhakuta or Vulture's Peak is yet another one. This is believed to be the spot where Lord Buddha preached many sermons and presently it is the site of the Shanti Stupa or Peace Pagoda built by the Buddhist Sangha of Japan. The Saptaparni Cave where the first Buddhist Council was held is also one of the principal tourist attractions of Rajgir.
Places of Interest
Saptkarni Caves - On the Vaibhava hill are the Saptkarni caves where the first Buddhist Council was held. The Saptkarni cave is also the source of the Rajgir hot Sulphur springs that have curative properties and are scared to the Hindu's.
Saptadhara - From the foot of the Vaibhava Hill, a staircase leads up to the various temples. Separate bathing places have been organized for men and women and the water comes out from spouts through the Saptadhara or seven streams believed to find their source behind the Saptkarni Caves up in the hills. The hottest of the springs is the Brahmakund with a temperature of 45°C.
Griddhakuta or Vultures Peak - On the Griddhakuta/Vultures Peak, the Buddha set in motion his second Wheel of Law and for three months every year during the rainy season preached his disciples about it. The Buddha Sangh of Japan has constructed a massive modern stupa, the Shanti (peace) stupa at the top of the hill. One can climb up to the top along a bridle path but the aerial chairlift is far more exciting.
Jarasandha Ki Baithak - Above the hot springs on the Vaibhava Hill is a rectangular stone sculpted by the forces of nature, which appears to have been used as a watchtower. It later become the resort of hermits and is popularly known as Jarasandha Ki Baithak after the name of the King Jarasandha.

NALANDA

Nalanda is a prominent pilgrim center for Buddhists after Lumbini and Sravasti. .
Visited by Lord Buddha a number of times, in his life time .This pious city was founded in the 5th century B.C. and is a home to the Nalanda University Archaeological Complex, one of the world's great universities. Travel Nalanda India to explore your inner self.
Hieun Tsang, a famous Chinese scholar and traveler, visited Nalanda in the 7th century. He left behind a detailed description of the architecture of the university, its high academic standards and the purity of monastic life (it was the home of 10,000 monks and students) practiced here. The Mauryan Emperor, Ashoka built many monasteries in Nalanda that display old Kushan architectural style. Later, the Gupta kings patronized these monasteries as well. It is believed that Buddha visited Nalanda a number of times. The bhikshus (Buddhist monks) were encouraged by Buddha to study the various arts and sciences.
Things to see
The Ruins of Nalanda University
Hieun Tsang Memorial Hall
Nav Nalanda Vihar
Spiritual & Architectural Charm of Nalanda City
Nalanda India has lots to see. From the ruins of Nalanda University to age old monasteries, Visit the Nalanda University Archaeological Complex of about 14 hectares, which displays Kushana style of architecture. The Nalanda Archaeological Museum displays bronze statues of Lord Buddha, rare manuscripts, stone inscriptions, pottery, coins and copper plates found during excavations. Also visit various temples located around the university.

Boudh Gaya

Bihar has been the ultimate pilgrimage for the Buddhists. It was in Bodh Gaya (Bihar) where Lord Buddha became enlightened. The prime Buddhist pilgrimages/sites of Bihar include Vaishali (where Lord Buddha preached many a times and announced his impending nirvana), Bodhgaya, where Buddha attained enlightenment (nirvana) and Nalanda, which developed as a great center of Buddhist learning. Rajgir is yet another important Buddhist pilgrimage site in Bihar, where Lord Buddha spent much time giving sermons.
Treasures of Bodhgaya
Mahabodhi Temple: The Mahabodhi Temple stands east to the Bodhi Tree. Its architectural effect is superb. Its basement is 48 square feet and it rises in the form of a slender Pyramid, till it reaches its neck, which is cylindrical in shape. The total height of the temple is 170 feet and on the top of the temple are Chatras which symbolize sovereignty of religion. Four towers on its four corners rise gracefully giving the holy structure a poise and balance. The entire courtyard of the temple is studded with a large number of varieties of stupas--votive, decorative, memorative. These stupas are of all sizes built during the past 2500 years ago. Most of them are extremely elegant in structural beauty.
Vajrasana : Vajrasana, the seat of stability. The Buddha supposed to have say in meditation gazing east, under the Bodhi tree, where the Vajrasana, the stone platform is kept.
Ancient Railings: The ancient railings which surround the temple are of first century BC and are very interesting monuments of the country.
Chankaramana : This marks the sacred spot of the Buddha's meditative perambulation during the third week after pious enlightenment. It is believed that wherever the Buddha put his feet lotus sprang up.
Animeshlochana : It is believed that the Buddha spent one week here looking towards the treat Mahabodhi Tree out of gratitude, without twinkling his eyes.
Ratnagar : The Buddha spent one week here, where it is believed that five colours came out of his body.
Lotus Tank: The sacred tank where it is believed that Buddha had spent one week.
Barabar Caves
Barabar Caves are situated in Barabar Hills, at a distance of approximately 20-25 km to the north of Gaya, Bihar. These hills are famous for the four rocks cut caves that are sited here. Dating back to the 200 BC, these caves were constructed during the reign of Emperor Ashoka, for the Ajivikas.