The idea of a pilgrimage came from the Buddha himself. Before He passed into Mahaparinibbana, the Buddha advised pious disciples to visit four places that may be for their inspiration after He was gone. They are Lumbini, where He was born; Buddhagaya, where He attained Supreme Enlightenment; Deer Park in Sarnath, where He preached the First Sermon; and Kusinara, where He passed into Mahaparinibbana.
目次
Dedication & Acknowledgement iv Preface 1 List of colour plates 5 Part I – Religious Significance and History 10 1. Mental Aspects of a Pilgrimage 11 2. Eight Great Places of Pilgrimage 15 3. Famous Pilgrims of the Past 17 4. Record of the Buddhist Country by Fa Hsien 20 5. Record of the Western World by Hsüan Tsang 26 6. Devastation and Downfall of Buddhism in India 38 7. Restoration of Buddhist Sites in India 44 Part II – Four Sacred Places 67 1. Lumbini, Birthplace of the Buddha 68 2. Bodhgaya, Place of the Buddha’s Enlightenment 74 3. Sarnath, Place of the Buddha’s First Sermon 87 4. Kusinara, Place of the Buddha’s Passing Away 96 Part III – Four Places of Miracles 103 1. Savatthi, Place of the Twin Miracle 104 2. Sankasia, Place of the Descent from Heaven 111 3. Rajgir, Place of Taming the Drunken Elephant,Nalagiri 114 4. Vesali, Place of Offering of Honey by a Band of Nonkeys 122 Part IV – Travelling to the Eight Great Places 133 1. Travelling to the Pilgrimage Places in India 134 2. Suggested Itinerary 136 3. Performing Dana or Offerings to the Sangha 138 4. Information and Tips on Travel in India 140 5. Distances by Road between the Pilgrimage Places 143 6. Maps showing Locations of the Pilgrimage Places 144 7. Pilgrimage Groups from 1991-2001 146 8. Bibliography 149
