The last of the four holy Buddhist sites is Kushinagar.  Located at Gorakhpur, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, the Buddha was said to have laid between two sala trees at Kushinagar while resting before entering Parinirvana.

It was here that the Buddha gave his last sermon, the Mahaparinibbana Sutta, where he informed His disciples of His pending departure.  He also advised of four places that a pious Buddhist should visit and look upon with feelings of reverence.  These four places are

"'Here the Tathagata was born!' This, Ananda, is a place that a pious person should visit and look upon with feelings of reverence.

"'Here the Tathagata became fully enlightened in unsurpassed, supreme Enlightenment!' This, Ananda, is a place that a pious person should visit and look upon with feelings of reverence.

"'Here the Tathagata set rolling the unexcelled Wheel of the Dhamma!' This, Ananda, is a place that a pious person should visit and look upon with feelings of reverence.

"'Here the Tathagata passed away into the state of Nibbana in which no element of clinging remains!' This, Ananda, is a place that a pious person should visit and look upon with feelings of reverence.

Source - https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/dn/dn.16.1-6.vaji.html

When the Buddha breathed his last, His last words were “Subject to change are all conditioned things. Strive on with diligence!”

Following His departure, His body was cremated and His mortal remains were collected in eight urns and distributed to various stupas in the region.  It was said that hundreds of years later, the remains were gathered by Emperor Asoka who built 84,000 stupas to enshrine the relics.

The Mahaparinirvana Temple is the most important monument located at Kushinagara.  With a stunning, six-metre long image of the Buddha, in reclining posture, the temple had invoked awe and tears to believers as they reflect on the Buddha's last moments.  Originally made of black stone, it looks golden due to thenumerous gold leaves placed on it by the Buddhist pilgrims.  With a tremendous aura surrounding the statue, devotees were often induced to kneel, pray, meditate when visiting the Temple.

The Ramabhar Stupa is 49 feet long, and is now, a large brick mound.  According to traditions, this is where the Buddha was cremated before His remains were encased in eight urns and distributed.  Circumambulation by devotees can be seen with them walking clockwise with their right arms closer to the Stupa.  

Outside the Mahaparinirvana temple, is the small Mathakuar Shrine, with a riveting black stone image of Buddha in the Bhumi Sparsha pose.

One also sees the Hiranyavati river, and the beautiful ghats, all of which evoke an air of peace and tranquillity. Like Bodhagaya, Kushinagar has tremendous tranquility and offers plenty of space for prayers and meditation.  The regular chanting, from early morning to night, add to the incredibly soothing spirit of the last abode of the Buddha.

Like in the other sacred Buddhist places, Kushinagar has beautiful monasteries from other Buddhist countries - the Wat Thai temple, Chinese Temple, International Buddhist Trust and the lovely Meditation Park.

The new Kushinagar Museum is well worth a visit too.

Interested in visiting the holy sites of the Buddha’s birthplace? Talk to us now!

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