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Bodhgaya & Gaya
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17-18th December 2004.
Buddha attainted enlightenment under the Bhodi tree in Bodhgaya at Mahabodhi Temple. People come here as part of their Buddhist pilgrimage. More pilgrimages than usual were in town, as the Dalai Lama will visit here soon.
It is a small town, but it was packed with Buddhists (including many Tibetans) that have flocked here to practise their faith.
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The pilgrims come from all over the world to prostrate themselves in front of the Mahabodhi temple.
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As with most archeologically interesting things in India, the Mahabodhi temple is encased in the usual scaffolding. The Bodhi tree where Buddha meditated is lower left.
The original tree died, and has been replaced with a sapling from Sri Lanka, which was grown from a sapling from the original tree here.
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These guys must be the spiritual heavyweights. Judging from the good food enjoyed, and the fact a camera crew is following them around.
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Lots of young monks around too.
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Serious recitation in the temple grounds.
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Butter Lanterns displayed outside the main temple.
We woke up early and walked around town; we could see the monks carrying newly made butter lanterns to the temples. The main stem is made of butter, and the pretty decoration is butter icing. Very cool.
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Lots of older monks are meandering around town. There were also many Tibetans wandering around with their prayer wheels. We were not brave enough to get a photo.
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The first thing you notice on the streets is the huge concentration of beggars.
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One of Japans contributions is the 25m Kamakura style Buddha.
The Maitreya project has plans to build a 150m high, seated Buddha, containing prayer halls, temples, exhibitions, and probably shops.
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Bhutan's monastery had amazing three dimensional sculptures on the wall, telling the story of Buddha.
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The stereotypical Thai temple.
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Typically Tibetan with snow lions over on the Lintel.
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Claire is typically bored. After our tenth temple of the day Claire's enthusiasm expires, as her appetite acquires.
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The Vietnamese monastery was a little hard to find, and harder to get into. Eventually a gracious German came out to show us around. He has been here a year or so and hopes to stay many more years. He follows the Theravada school, while the temple is Mahayana.
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A scene depicting the Buddha meditating under the Bhodi tree before his death.
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Gandhi overlooks the local market to ensure that no tourists are paying local prices.
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