Difference between revisions of "Maha Bodhi Temple"
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Further evidence for the temple dating to the time of [[Ashoka]] comes from historical information, including a terracotta plaque and relief carvings found dating to around 25 BCE. According to scholar-historians, the original design included the slender pyramid design with an open pavilion (Huntington, 1985). | Further evidence for the temple dating to the time of [[Ashoka]] comes from historical information, including a terracotta plaque and relief carvings found dating to around 25 BCE. According to scholar-historians, the original design included the slender pyramid design with an open pavilion (Huntington, 1985). | ||
− | It is the holiest place in [[Buddhism]], due to the fact that this is the place of enlightenment, the goal and purpose of the [[Dhamma]]. | + | The Maha Bodhi Temple faces east, the direction [[Buddha]] was facing when he sat and meditated under the [[Bodhi Tree]]. The meaning of Maha Bodhi is ''Great Enlightenment''. It is the holiest place in [[Buddhism]], due to the fact that this is the place of enlightenment, the goal and purpose of the [[Dhamma]]. |
<html><iframe src="http://free.timeanddate.com/clock/i1lilh0j/n1536/fn2/fs20/ftb/tt0/tw1/tm1" frameborder="0" width="375" height="30"></iframe></html> | <html><iframe src="http://free.timeanddate.com/clock/i1lilh0j/n1536/fn2/fs20/ftb/tt0/tw1/tm1" frameborder="0" width="375" height="30"></iframe></html> | ||
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*http://www.thedhamma.com/ | *http://www.thedhamma.com/ | ||
*"Sowing the Seeds of the Lotus: A Journey to the Great Pilgrimage Sites of Buddhism, Part I" by John C. Huntington. ''Orientations'', November 1985 pg 61. | *"Sowing the Seeds of the Lotus: A Journey to the Great Pilgrimage Sites of Buddhism, Part I" by John C. Huntington. ''Orientations'', November 1985 pg 61. | ||
+ | *[http://jade-wildy.suite101.com/art-and-the-mahabodhi-temple-at-bodhgaya-a288734 Art and the Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya] | ||
+ | *[[Navel of the Earth]] by S. Dhammika, 2007 | ||
[[Category:Temples]] | [[Category:Temples]] |
Revision as of 20:47, 17 February 2012
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The Maha Bodhi Temple marks the spot where the Buddha attained enlightenment. A Bodhi Tree is to the back of the temple and between the Bodhi Tree and the temple is the 'diamond throne' where the Buddha attained enlightenment. The temple is located in Bodh Gaya, India, coordinates: 24.6959° N, 84.9911° E
The Maha Bodhi temple may have originally been built by King Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE and rebuilt after warfare destruction in the 2nd century CE and subsequently repaired over the centuries up to the present time. The current structure was started around the 5th century CE and repaired and renovated at various times ever since. It is 52 meters high (171 feet). There are also gardens, lakes, and a 24 meter (80 feet) Buddha statue in Bodh Gaya.
It is reported that King Ashoka built 84,000 edicts, monuments, and stupas honoring his legacy and the Buddha's teachings. If it were not 84,000 it certainly would have been at least a large number. King Ashoka spent one full week just gazing at the Bodhi Tree in Bodh Gaya. Considering this, we can say with virtual certainty that the original Maha Bodhi Temple must have been built by King Ashoka. The design and placement of the original may be very similar so that we could credit Ashoka with the establishment of the Maha Bodhi Temple at about 250 BCE.
Further evidence for the temple dating to the time of Ashoka comes from historical information, including a terracotta plaque and relief carvings found dating to around 25 BCE. According to scholar-historians, the original design included the slender pyramid design with an open pavilion (Huntington, 1985).
The Maha Bodhi Temple faces east, the direction Buddha was facing when he sat and meditated under the Bodhi Tree. The meaning of Maha Bodhi is Great Enlightenment. It is the holiest place in Buddhism, due to the fact that this is the place of enlightenment, the goal and purpose of the Dhamma.
<html><iframe src="http://free.timeanddate.com/clock/i1lilh0j/n1536/fn2/fs20/ftb/tt0/tw1/tm1" frameborder="0" width="375" height="30"></iframe></html>
Current date and time in Bodh Gaya, India
Maha Bodhi, the Buddha statue inside, the Bodhi Tree at the back
- The domain name: http://www.mahabodhitemple.com/ redirects to this page.
- The domain name: http://www.mahabodhitemple.org/ redirects to this page.
- See also: Maha Bodhi replicas
References
- The Complete Book of Buddha's Lists -- Explained. David N. Snyder, Ph.D., 2006.
- http://www.thedhamma.com/
- "Sowing the Seeds of the Lotus: A Journey to the Great Pilgrimage Sites of Buddhism, Part I" by John C. Huntington. Orientations, November 1985 pg 61.
- Art and the Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya
- Navel of the Earth by S. Dhammika, 2007