A proposal to declare Buddha Gaya, a sacred city

Senaka SAMARASINGHE

The exotic town of Buddha Gaya is the place where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. Devotees and tourists flock to Buddha Gaya from far and wide to gain an insight into the teachings and doctrines of Buddhism. Even followers from countries like Burma, Sri Lanka, China, Bhutan, Tibet and Japan have established numerous monastic settlements in Buddha Gaya.

Buddha Gaya is situated on the left bank of the Falgu (Neranjana) River in south of Bihar. Gaya, the closest big town, is just 13 km from Buddha Gaya. The capital township lies at a distance of 105 km from Patna in the state of Bihar.

The temple is about 170 feet high on a 48 feet square base. On all sides of the temple are numerous positions and beautiful engravings and fine sculptured images of the Buddha. There are various theories as to when the temple was built. According to some, Asoka built the Mahabodhi Vihara. Fa-Hien supported this theory when he visited Buddha Gaya.

World Heritage Site

In 2002, the World Heritage Committee declared Maha Bodhi Temple Complex at Buddha Gaya, India as a World Heritage Site on the basis of five cultural criteria shown as follows:

Criterion (i): The grand 50 m-high Maha Bodhi Temple of the 5th-6th centuries is of immense importance, being one of the earliest temple constructions existing in the Indian sub-continent. It is one of the few representations of the architectural genius of the Indian people in constructing fully developed brick temples in that era.

Criterion (ii): The Maha Bodhi Temple, one of the few surviving examples of early brick structures in India, has had significant influence in the development of architecture over the centuries.

Overall management

Criterion (iii): The site of the Maha Bodhi Temple provides exceptional records for the events associated with the life of Buddha and subsequent worship, particularly since Emperor Asoka built the first temple, the balustrades, and the memorial column.

Criterion (iv): The present Temple is one of the earliest and most imposing structures built entirely in brick from the late Gupta period.

The sculpted stone balustrades are an outstanding early example of sculptural reliefs in stone.

Criterion (v): The Maha Bodhi Temple Complex in Buddha Gaya has direct association with the life of the Lord Buddha, being the place where He attained the supreme and perfect insight.

World Heritage Committee recommended to the Government of Indian (GoI) to develop an overall management plan to protect the values of the above World Heritage Site. In 2011, "Sambuddha Jayanthi" will commemorate, as it will complete 2600 years of Buddha's enlightenment in Buddha Gaya. Based on this grand occasion, it is timely needed to declare Buddha Gaya as a Sacred City.

It is therefore necessary to seek GoI to introduce legislative to declare Buddha Gaya Sacred City area and new township area of Buddha Gaya. Not only Buddhist devotees but also international travellers and non-Buddhist devotees are visiting Buddha Gaya. Surrounding area of the Buddha Gaya temple is full of dust due to huge devotee population.

About 2-3 percent of the devotee population are wearing mask to protect inhaling of dust. To create a dust free environment a plan city has to design with Buddhist perspective such as vegetarian restaurants and non-smoking city.

Known as Uruvela in the Buddha's time, the city of Buddha Gaya is now a town of about 30,000 permanent residents. Gaya existing township is mainly one of the main administrative centers of Bihar Province. It is located 13 km away from Buddha Gaya. It is therefore necessary to identify a new location for a plan city adjacent to Buddha Gaya existing city.

Community participation

Relocation will be the main objection of the existing community. It is imperative to obtain their willingness for a planned city.

Through Gaya Domestic Air Port, some devotees are directly coming to Buddha Gaya and going back to their own destinies. Further, the only adjacent commercial city is Gaya. It is 13 km away from Buddha Gaya town.

Bihar is the third largest state in the country with a population of 83 million. One-seventh of India's below-the-poverty-line (BPL) people live in Bihar. Through provision of physical infrastructure, Bihar is the poorest state of India and the Government of Bihar (GoB) is critical for infrastructure development.

Development

With this background, proposing a planned city of Buddha Gaya is another entry point to develop infrastructure to reduce poverty by creating new commercial opportunities.

Within the new planned city, the planners must convince that the income level will increase in the new commercial area.

At present, some of the Indian products are similar to world standards such as milk products, leather goods, bakery products (based on wheat) and natural fruits and juices. Traditional craftsman's Buddhist ornaments such as metal and wood (Sandalwood and Rath-Hadun) are unique to the Bihar Province.

The existing community in Buddha Gaya should aware that the proposed planned city will create a market centre for the above-mentioned newly boomed Indian commercial goods.

It is essential to propose new residential area. This will attract the existing ad hoc settled dwellers in Buddha Gaya.

It is another infrastructure development initiative to improve the poverty level in Buddha Gaya inhabitants.

Not only the construction of new houses but also the other facilities such as health and education services, increased safety and security, and access to information will enhance the poverty level of the dwellers. In other words, construct of new houses and the package of related facilities. Further, create opportunities to increase farm and non-farm productivity will improve level of poverty of the residence in Buddha Gaya. This type of private-public partnerships is one of the best options to introduce house construction in proposed Buddha Gaya city.

Sacred City

In Buddha Gaya, four important locations should declare as the sacred city. The areas are as follows:

Maha Bodhi Temple

Maha Bodhi Temple surrounding area including the Bodhi Tree is the central location for the sacred city. Bodhi Pallanka (The place of enlightenment) - Prince Siddhartha attend Buddhahood (Full enlightenment) in the year 623 B.C. on the Vaisaka Full Moon day sitting under this Peepul (Boddhi) Tree. The Vajirasana or diamond throne which is under this Boddhi Tree is the central place of worship.

Neranjana river

The famous Neranjana River is to the east of the temple. Neranjana River is now called Falgu. Gautama bathed and put his begging bowl on the water and declared that the bowl would go upstream if he were to become the Buddha. Prince Siddhartha crossed the Neranjana River while on his way to the shade of the Bodhi Tree.

Sujatha Temple

Prince Siddhartha came from Sujatha and took shelter on Buddha Kusha Grass Temple. A divine power in disguise, an old Brahaman appeared and presented eight bundles of Kusha (a type of sacred grass). Prince Siddhartha took up grass and went to Buddha Gaya. He spared the grass under the Bodhi Tree and meditated seven weeks. He got enlightenment and became Lord Buddha.

Sujatha House

Sujatakuti is the site of Sujata's house on the opposite side of the Neranjana River and now marked by a brick mound.

Maha Bodhi monastery

In the 4th Century, the Sinhala King Meghavanna (304-332 A.C.) sought permission from the Indian ruler to build a monastery in India after his younger brother monk who went on pilgrimage to India. With this permission granted, King Meghavanna built great Maha Bodhi Monastery on the north of the Maha Bodhi Temple compound.

Recommendation

Based on the above facts, it is recommended to propose to the GoI to declare Buddha Gaya as a Sacred City. For this, not only individual countries but also United Nations institutions such as UNESCO could be able to intervene.