Difference between revisions of "Lumbini" - New World Encyclopedia
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'''Lumbini''' ([[Sanskrit language|Sanskrit]]: {{lang|sa|लुम्बिनी}}, "the lovely") is a [[Buddhist pilgrimage]] site in the [[Kapilavastu]] district of [[Nepal]], near the [[India]]n border.<ref>D. C. Ahir. 2003. ''Buddhist sites and shrines in India: history, art, and architecture'' (Delhi: Sri Satguru Publications), p. 276 </ref> Buddhist tradition marks Lumbini as the place where Queen [[Maya (mother of Buddha)|Mayadevi]] gave birth to [[Siddhartha Gautama]]. Siddhartha, as the [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha Gautama]], founded the [[Buddhism|Buddhist tradition]] by his teachings and life between approximately 563 and 483 B.C.E. | '''Lumbini''' ([[Sanskrit language|Sanskrit]]: {{lang|sa|लुम्बिनी}}, "the lovely") is a [[Buddhist pilgrimage]] site in the [[Kapilavastu]] district of [[Nepal]], near the [[India]]n border.<ref>D. C. Ahir. 2003. ''Buddhist sites and shrines in India: history, art, and architecture'' (Delhi: Sri Satguru Publications), p. 276 </ref> Buddhist tradition marks Lumbini as the place where Queen [[Maya (mother of Buddha)|Mayadevi]] gave birth to [[Siddhartha Gautama]]. Siddhartha, as the [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha Gautama]], founded the [[Buddhism|Buddhist tradition]] by his teachings and life between approximately 563 and 483 B.C.E. | ||
− | Lumbini is one of four magnets for pilgrimage that sprang up in places pivotal to the life of the Buddha, the others being at [[Kushinagar]], [[Bodh Gaya]], and [[Sarnath]]. Lumbini is in the foothills of the [[Himalaya]], <ref>[http://www.buddhist-pilgrimage.com/buddhist-temples.html Buddhist Temples India]</ref> twenty five kilometers east of the municipality of Kapilavastu, where tradition says that the Buddha lived until the age of 29. Kapilvastu is the name of the place as well as of the neighboring district. Lumbini has a number of temples, including the Mayadevi temple, and others under construction. Also Lumbini is the location of Puskarini (or Holy Pond) where the Buddha's mother took the ritual dip prior to his birth and where he, too, had his first bath. The remains of Kapilvastu palace are found there as well. At sites near Lumbini, according to tradition, earlier Buddhas were born, achieved ultimate [[Bodhi|awakening]], and finally relinquished earthly form. | + | ==Legend== |
+ | Lumbini is one of four magnets for pilgrimage that sprang up in places pivotal to the life of the Buddha, the others being at [[Kushinagar]], [[Bodh Gaya]], and [[Sarnath]]. Lumbini is in the foothills of the [[Himalaya]], <ref>[http://www.buddhist-pilgrimage.com/buddhist-temples.html Buddhist Temples India]</ref> twenty five kilometers east of the municipality of Kapilavastu, where tradition says that the Buddha lived until the age of 29. Kapilvastu is the name of the place as well as of the neighboring district. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Lumbini has a number of temples, including the [[Mayadevi temple]], and others under construction. Also Lumbini is the location of [[Puskarini]] (or Holy Pond) where the Buddha's mother took the ritual dip prior to his birth and where he, too, had his first bath. The remains of [[Kapilvastu palace]] are found there as well. At sites near Lumbini, according to tradition, earlier Buddhas were born, achieved ultimate [[Bodhi|awakening]], and finally relinquished earthly form. | ||
[[Image:NepalMap1.jpg|thumb|200px|Location of [[Lumbini]], [[Nepal]].]] | [[Image:NepalMap1.jpg|thumb|200px|Location of [[Lumbini]], [[Nepal]].]] | ||
+ | <!-- | ||
+ | [[Image:MayaDream.JPG|thumb|300px|Queen Māyā's white elephant dream, and the conception of the Buddha. [[Gandhara]], 2-3rd century CE.]] | ||
+ | '''Queen Māyā of Sakya''' was the birth mother of the historical [[Gautama Buddha]], [[Gautama Buddha|Siddhārtha]] of the [[Gautama]] [[gotra]], and sister of [[Mahapajapati Gotami]] the first woman ordained by the Buddha. "Māyā" means "illusion" or "enchantment" in [[Sanskrit]] and [[Pāli]]. Māyā is also called Mahāmāyā ("great Māyā") or Māyādevī ("Queen, literally 'goddess,' Māyā"). In [[Tibetan language|Tibetan]] she is called [[Gyutrulma]]. Queen Mayadevi was born in [[Devadaha]] kingdom of ancient [[Nepal]]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==Marriage and childbirth== | ||
+ | Māyā married king [[Suddhodana|Śuddhodana]] (Pāli: Suddhodana), the ruler of the [[Shakya|Śākya]] clan of [[Kapilvastu]]. She was the daughter of King Śuddhodhana's uncle and therefore his cousin; her father was king of [[Devadaha]]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===The birth of the Buddha-to-be=== | ||
+ | [[Image:Queen Maya, Borobudur.jpg|thumb|right|Queen Maya retreating to [[Lumbini]] to gave birth to Prince [[Siddharta Gautama]], 8th century [[Borobudur]], [[Indonesia]].]] | ||
+ | [[Image:SiddhartaBirth.jpg|thumb|The birth of Siddhārtha, Gandhara, 2-3rd century CE.]] | ||
+ | Queen Māyā and King Suddhodhana did not have children for twenty years into their marriage. One day however, according to legend, Queen Māyā dreamt of a divine Bodhisattva on white elephant touching her side, and became pregnant. According to Buddhist tradition, the Buddha-to-be was residing as a [[Bodhisattva]], in the [[Tushita|{{IAST|Tuṣita}}]] heaven, and decided to take the shape of a white elephant to be reborn, for the last time, on Earth. Māyā gave birth to Siddharta c. 563 B.C.E. The pregnancy lasted ten lunar months. Following custom, the Queen returned to her own home for the birth. On the way, she stepped down from her [[palanquin]] to have a walk in the beautiful flower garden of [[Lumbini]] Park, [[Lumbini Zone]], Nepal. She was delighted by the park and she reached for a branch to take a rest. Again according to legend, at this time Prince Siddhārtha emerged from her right side and was born. It was the eighth day of April. She gave him his first bath in the [[Puskarini]] pond in [[Lumbini Zone]]. Siddhārtha means "He who has accomplished his goals" or "The accomplished goal". | ||
+ | |||
+ | Queen Māyā died seven days after the birth of the Buddha-to-be, and went to the [[Tushita|{{IAST|Tuṣita}}]] Heaven. Her sister [[Mahapajapati Gotami|Prajāpatī]] (Pāli: Pajāpatī or Mahāpajāpatī Gotamī) became the child's foster mother. | ||
+ | |||
+ | After Prince Siddhartha had gained perfection and became the Buddha, he visited his mother in heaven for three months to pay respects and to teach the [[Dharma (Buddhism)|Dharma]]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==Religious parallels== | ||
+ | |||
+ | Some interpretations of the life story of the Buddha attribute his birth to a virgin birth. This is likely due to a specific interpretation of the prophetic dream Queen Māyā is said to have had prior to conception and is not a widely held view amongst Buddhists. As she is described to have been married to King Śuddhodhana for many years, there is no indication that she would have been a virgin at the time of Siddhārtha's conception, but the conception of the Buddha is often held to have occurred without sexual activity. Nonetheless, this interpretation has led to parallels being drawn with the birth story of [[Jesus]]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The story of the birth of the Buddha was known in the West, and possibly influenced the story of the birth of Jesus.{{Fact|date=November 2007}} [[Jerome|Saint Jerome]] (4th century CE) mentions the birth of the Buddha, who he says "was born from the side of a virgin". Also a fragment of [[Archelaos of Carrha]] (278 C.E.) mentions the Buddha's virgin-birth. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Other interesting parallels in the birth stories include: | ||
+ | * The similarity in the sounds of the names of Mary and Maya. | ||
+ | * Both women conceived during a remarkable vision. | ||
+ | * Both women gave birth "outside" of a home. | ||
+ | * Heavenly wonders appeared in the sky. | ||
+ | * Heavenly beings (angels or devas) announced the newborn as "savior" of the world. | ||
+ | * Sages came to visit the newborn and make prophecies of auspicious careers. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==False etymologies== | ||
+ | *The name '''Māyā''' is completely unrelated{{Fact|date=October 2007}} to ''Maria'' ([[Mary, mother of Jesus|Mary]]), which is a Greek form of the Hebrew name [[Miriam]]. | ||
+ | *Also unrelated{{Fact|date=October 2007}} is the Greek goddess [[Maia (mythology)|Maia]], the mother of [[Hermes]], whose name means "mother" in Greek. The fact that the planet [[Mercury (planet)|Mercury]] is called '''Budha''' in Sanskrit is a coincidence; '''budha''' means "intelligent", and reflects the traditional association of gods of learning such as [[Mercury (mythology)|Mercury]], [[Hermes]], and [[Nabu]] with the planet Mercury. '''Budha''' is a different word from '''Buddha''' in Sanskrit and is written differently. | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{credits|Maya_(mother_of_Buddha)|240446321|}} | ||
+ | —> | ||
==Lumbini in Buddha's time== | ==Lumbini in Buddha's time== | ||
{{BuddhasHolySites}} | {{BuddhasHolySites}} | ||
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==Re-discovery of the site of Lumbini== | ==Re-discovery of the site of Lumbini== | ||
− | |||
In 1896, Nepalese archaeologists (effort by [[Khadga Samsher Rana]]) discovered a great stone pillar at the site, attributed to [[Ashoka the Great|Emperor Ashoka]].<ref>Sunita Dwivedi. 2006. ''Buddhist heritage sites of India.'' (New Delhi: Rupa & Co.), p. 9</ref> Records made by the Chinese pilgrim [[Fa Xian]] were also used in the process of identifying this religiously acclaimed site. | In 1896, Nepalese archaeologists (effort by [[Khadga Samsher Rana]]) discovered a great stone pillar at the site, attributed to [[Ashoka the Great|Emperor Ashoka]].<ref>Sunita Dwivedi. 2006. ''Buddhist heritage sites of India.'' (New Delhi: Rupa & Co.), p. 9</ref> Records made by the Chinese pilgrim [[Fa Xian]] were also used in the process of identifying this religiously acclaimed site. | ||
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[[Category:Cities]] | [[Category:Cities]] | ||
− | {{credits|235375300}} | + | {{credits|Lumbini|235375300|Maya_(mother_of_Buddha)|240446321|}} |
Revision as of 00:26, 29 September 2008
Lumbini, the Birthplace of the Lord Buddha* | |
---|---|
UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
State Party | Nepal |
Type | Cultural |
Criteria | iii, vi |
Reference | 666 |
Region** | Asia-Pacific |
Inscription history | |
Inscription | 1997 (21st Session) |
* Name as inscribed on World Heritage List. ** Region as classified by UNESCO. |
Lumbini (Sanskrit: लुम्बिनी, "the lovely") is a Buddhist pilgrimage site in the Kapilavastu district of Nepal, near the Indian border.[1] Buddhist tradition marks Lumbini as the place where Queen Mayadevi gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama. Siddhartha, as the Buddha Gautama, founded the Buddhist tradition by his teachings and life between approximately 563 and 483 B.C.E.
Legend
Lumbini is one of four magnets for pilgrimage that sprang up in places pivotal to the life of the Buddha, the others being at Kushinagar, Bodh Gaya, and Sarnath. Lumbini is in the foothills of the Himalaya, [2] twenty five kilometers east of the municipality of Kapilavastu, where tradition says that the Buddha lived until the age of 29. Kapilvastu is the name of the place as well as of the neighboring district.
Lumbini has a number of temples, including the Mayadevi temple, and others under construction. Also Lumbini is the location of Puskarini (or Holy Pond) where the Buddha's mother took the ritual dip prior to his birth and where he, too, had his first bath. The remains of Kapilvastu palace are found there as well. At sites near Lumbini, according to tradition, earlier Buddhas were born, achieved ultimate awakening, and finally relinquished earthly form.
Lumbini in Buddha's time
Pilgrimage to Buddha's Holy Sites |
The Four Main Sites |
---|
Lumbini · Bodh Gaya Sarnath · Kushinagar |
Four Additional Sites |
Sravasti · Rajgir Sankissa · Vaishali |
Other Sites |
Patna · Gaya Kausambi · Mathura Kapilavastu · Devadaha Kesariya · Pava Nalanda · Varanasi |
In the Buddha's time, Lumbini was a park situated between Kapilavatthu and Devadaha.[3] It was there that the Buddha was born[4]. A pillar now marks the spot of Asoka's visit to Lumbiní. According to an inscription on the pillar, it was placed there by the people then in charge of the park to commemorate Asoka's visit and gifts[5]. The park was previously known as Rummindei, two miles north of Bhagavanpura.
In the Sutta Nipáta (vs. 683) it is stated that the Buddha was born in a village of the Sákyans, in the Lumbineyya Janapada. The Buddha stayed in Lumbinívana during his visit to Devadaha and there preached the Devadaha Sutta[6].
Re-discovery of the site of Lumbini
In 1896, Nepalese archaeologists (effort by Khadga Samsher Rana) discovered a great stone pillar at the site, attributed to Emperor Ashoka.[7] Records made by the Chinese pilgrim Fa Xian were also used in the process of identifying this religiously acclaimed site.
Current Lumbini
Lumbini, as of 1997, is an UNESCO World Heritage Site specifically nominated for the international World Heritage program.
The holy site of Lumbini is bordered by a large monastic zone, in which only monasteries can be built, no shops or hotels or restaurants.[8] It is separated into an eastern and western monastic zone, the eastern having the Theravadin monasteries, the western having Mahayana and Vajrayana monasteries.
The holy site of Lumbini has ruins of ancient monasteries, a sacred Bodhi tree, an ancient bathing pond, the Asokan pillar and the Mayadevi temple, where the precise place of birth of Buddha is located. From early morning to early evening, pilgrims from various countries perform chanting and meditation at the site.
History of Buddhism Foundations Key Concepts Major Figures Practices Regions Branches Texts |
Gallery
See Also
Notes
- ↑ D. C. Ahir. 2003. Buddhist sites and shrines in India: history, art, and architecture (Delhi: Sri Satguru Publications), p. 276
- ↑ Buddhist Temples India
- ↑ Subbiah Muthiah. 1990. Where the Buddha walked. A TTK guidebook (Madras: TT Maps & Publ.), p. 19
- ↑ J.i.52, 54; Kvu.97, 559; AA.i.10; MA.ii.924; BuA.227; Cv.li.10. Buddha. Retrieved September 28, 2008.
- ↑ Radhakumud Mukerji. 1962. Asoka (Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass), p. 27, 201f
- ↑ MA.ii.810 Buddha. Retrieved September 28, 2008.
- ↑ Sunita Dwivedi. 2006. Buddhist heritage sites of India. (New Delhi: Rupa & Co.), p. 9
- ↑ Anagarika Dharmapala. 1892. The Maha Bodhi ([Calcutta, etc.]: Maha-Bodhi Society) Item notes: v.102:1-4 (1994).
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Ahir, D. C. 2003. Buddhist sites and shrines in India: history, art, and architecture. Delhi: Sri Satguru Publications. ISBN 9788170307747.
- Deeg, Max. 2003. The places where Siddhārtha trod: Lumbinī and Kapilavastu. Lumbini: Lumbini International Research Institute. ISBN 9789993376989.
- Dwivedi, Sunita. 2006. Buddhist heritage sites of India. New Delhi: Rupa & Co. ISBN 9788129107381.
- Mukerji, Radhakumud. 1962. Asoka. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass. OCLC 59685786.
- Rijal, Babu Krishna. 1979. Archaeological remains of Kapilavastu, Lumbini, and Devadaha. Kathmandu: Educational Enterprises. OCLC 9819499.
External links
- UNESCO: Lumbini, the Birthplace of the Lord Buddha. Retrieved September 29, 2008.
- Entry on Lumbini in the Dictionary of Pali Proper Names. Retrieved September 28, 2008.
- WelcomeNepal.com: Lumbini - Places to see. Retrieved September 28, 2008.
- Buddhist studies: Pilgrimage: Lumbini - Birthplace of the Buddha. Retrieved September 28, 2008.
- Buddha. Retrieved September 28, 2008.
- Bhaktivedanta VedaBase Network. Retrieved September 29, 2008.
- Timeless Lumbini Buddha’s Birthplace. Retrieved September 29, 2008.
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