February 11, 2023
 
The Sangha stayed overnight in an open field, surrounded by vast flowering rice fields. The whole field was still shrouded in the quiet night mist. The air was fresh and cool. The glittering dew drops on the rice leaves are like beautiful little pearls.
 
When dawn broke through the early morning mist, a Thai temple appeared before us as if welcoming the monks. The temple is in a remote village far from the city, huddled in the deserted fields. However, hidden deep inside are precious gems, bearing a noble and sacred mission to preserve the Relics of Gotama Buddha. And this is also one of the eight stupas of relics divided among eight countries after the cremation of the Buddha.
 
Although time has changed, heaven and earth have shifted, Buddha’s relics still exist. Later, Emperor Asoka excavated the first seven stupas of relics and built 84,000 stupas to honor and dignify the relics. Legend has it that the Great Emperor also personally brought troops to this place where the 8th stupa is located, Ramgram, Parasi district, Nepal, to excavate and rebuild the stupa. At that time, the Dragon King appeared to prevent and warn the King not to touch the site, so the Great Emperor Asoka only set up a stone pillar marking this stupa.
 
In 1996, the UNESCO Association officially listed this site for preservation. On the ground where the original Stupa is buried is now a mound of about 10 square meters. On the mound was a large Bodhi tree, and three other types of trees grew together with the trunk of the Bodhi tree. The harmonious life among the four species of trees on the ground of the Buddha Relic Stupa is no different from that of the four groups: Bhikkhus, Bhikkhunis, laymen, and laywomen, while the underground Buddha Relic Stupa is the embodiment of the Blessed One.
 
Although the Buddha had passed away, his teachings still resonated and propagated throughout the world. As long as four groups exist, the Dhamma exists. For that, a Buddhist disciple must have the Four Immeasurable Minds in the true sense of the word. Live a life of loving-kindness, tolerance, and mutual support on the path of practice.
 
Looking at the sacred site and the four-fold Sangha tree (I would like to name the tree the Four-fold Sangha tree), my emotions overflowed. I also don’t understand why I had such feelings and thoughts when I came here. Is this the Buddha’s last message before the decline of the Dhamma?
 
Āloka and I stood in the shade of the Four-fold Sangha tree, then I bowed to the tree, and we entered the village for alms. The villagers were unfamiliar with the practice, so they brought uncooked rice to offer to the monks. We gladly accepted each handful of rice people offered to sow good deeds, and in return, we offered blessings to them before returning to the temple.

#chuahuongdao #chuahuongdaotemple #sbsstupas
#buddha #buddhism #Dhutanga #dhammajourney
 
Source: Dhammacetiya