It is a dream of all Buddhists to see for themselves the places that they have read so much about in the Dhammapada, the places that they have come to be so familiar after listening to sermons, and the places that are tangible remnants of the Lord Buddha. Thus, it is the desire of many Buddhists to visit Dambadiva, the sacred place where Buddhism as we know it was born.
There are four key places that any devotee would, and all itineraries must include, visit: Lumbini, where prince Siddhartha was born; Bodhgaya where Prince Siddhartha attained enlightenment; Sarnath, the place where Lord Buddha had the first sermon; and Kushinagar, the place where Lord Buddha’s parinibbana happened. It is said that those who take the Dambadiva pilgrimage return changed; that there still lingers something in these sacred places that speak the dhamma of Lord Buddha as strongly as it was done thousands of years ago.
While it is possible to visit Dambadiva on your own, few people opt to do so. Many opt for pilgrim tour packages, as there is something beautiful about exploring spirituality in the company of like-minded individuals. As there is much preparation to do for the journey, abstaining from meat and meat products for three months, rereading the Dhammapada, meditating, and trying to connect with the ultimate teachings of Lord Buddha, it is best that you opt for a tour package anyway, so that your mind will be at east to absorb the spirituality once you reach Dambadiva. Once you decide to make the pilgrimage, though, check with tour agencies for departing days. While some agencies like Aitken Spence Holidays have Dambadiva tours throughout the year, some other agencies have it only during a particular period of time. Ensure that your dates are confirmed before you embark on this journey of spiritual revival.
Auburn Silver is a travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world. Google+
