February 27, 2023 – March 1, 2023
 
Kusinara by night is devoid of people. Only the foot-traveling Sangha accompanied by flickering flashlights and the distant sound of barking dogs, bid farewell to the bustling streets filled with pilgrims during the festive days of welcoming the Relics.
 
The sun ascends, radiating brilliance, and eventually sets. Despite the passing of time, the foot-traveling Sangha kept moving through multiple towns and villages. I vividly recalled, in one early morning, when the atmosphere was still hazy. After numerous attempts to locate our position by tracking, determining the location, and consulting with each other, we found ourselves standing at a shallow river on a bridge. It was at this location that the Buddha had once instructed Venerable Ānanda to fetch water for him to drink. However, the water was murky and contaminated due to the passage of 500 carts carrying goods.
 
Due to his concern for the Buddha, Venerable Ānanda decided not to bring back the contaminated water. However, when the Buddha asked him to retrieve water from the exact location on the third attempt, the water inexplicably became clear again. Witnessing this miraculous display of the Buddha’s merit was genuinely awe-inspiring.
 
The once-flowing river has disappeared, leaving only a dry stream and a bridge to cross it. As we journeyed on, we eventually arrived at the foundation of the hunter Cunda’s house. Similar to other sacred sites we have encountered, the brick foundation has been restored and preserved. Despite its significance, this location is less well-known and frequently visited than other Buddhist sites.
 
At this particular place, the Buddha partook in a meal Upāsaka Cunda offered him. As the meal was prepared, the devas added their flavors, knowing it would be the Buddha’s last meal before entering Parinibbāna (final release from the cycle of rebirths).
 
The Buddha was aware that Upāsaka Cunda would hold himself responsible for causing the illness in the Buddha after his passing. As a result, the Buddha instructed Venerable Ānanda that the merit of Upāsikā Sujātā, who provided the initial meal, and that of Upāsaka Cunda, who offered the final meal, were of equal significance.
 
At this place, I also met the pilgrimage of a professor at a university in Myanmar. Our brief conversation revealed that he was familiar with the Dhammacetiya project and he spoke words of joy about it. We chanted the protection sutta before moving on to our next destination, Rampurwa Ashokan Pillars, where we found two stone pillars erected by King Asoka.
 
 
#chuahuongdao #chuahuongdaotemple #sbsstupas
#buddha #buddhism #Dhutanga #dhammajourney
 
Source: Dhammacetiya