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Mahabodhi Temple, Bodh Gaya

The Mahabodhi Temple (literally: "Great Awakening Temple") is an ancient, but rebuilt and restored Buddhist temple in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India, marking the location where the Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment.

The site contains a descendant of the Bodhi Tree under which Buddha gained enlightenment, and has been a major pilgrimage destination for Hindus and Buddhists for well over two thousand years, and some elements probably date to the period of Ashoka (died c. 232 BCE). What is now visible on the ground essentially dates from the 7th century CE, or perhaps somewhat earlier, as well as several major restorations since the 19th century. But the structure now may well incorporate large parts of earlier work, possibly from the 2nd or 3rd century CE.

Many of the oldest sculptural elements have been moved to the museum beside the temple, and some, such as the carved stone railing wall around the main structure, have been replaced by replicas. The main temple's survival is especially impressive, as it was mostly made of brick covered with stucco, materials that are much less durable than stone. However, it is understood that very little of the original sculptural decoration has survived.

The temple complex includes two large straight-sided shikhara towers, the largest over 55 metres (180 feet) high. This is a stylistic feature that has continued in Jain and Hindu temples to the present day, and influenced Buddhist architecture in other countries, in forms like the pagoda.

Approaching Mahabodhi Temple.
Bodh Gaya is 15 km (9.3 mi) from Gaya and is about 96 km (60 mi) from Patna.


Mahabodhi Temple Plan.
Plan Legend by A. Cunningham:

  • AA: are the basements of two old Temples to the right and left of the eastern entrance of the Temple.
  • B: is the last position of the Bodhi Tree on the terrace, immediately behind the Temple, and directly over the outer Vajrasan.
  • SS: silver statues of Avalokiteswara and Maitreya in two niches to the right and left of the outside door.
  • W: is the Walk or Promenade of Buddha.
  • U: on the left side of the road, to the north of the place where Buddha walked, is a large stone, on the top of which, as it stands in a great Vihara, is a figure of Buddha with his eyes raised, and looking up. Here in former times Buddha sat for seven days contemplating the Bodhi Tree. He did not remove his gaze from it during this period.
  • F: is the basement of a very large Temple of early date.
  • G: is the square base or plinth of a very large stupa of a very early period.
  • P: represents the site of the remains of a small Stupa to the north-east of the last, and seems to correspond in position with the Stupa that was built on the spot where the blue Pigeons circled round Buddha.
  • D, D: to the east of the Bodhi Tree, on the left and right of the great road, there were two Stupas, which marked the spot where Mara and his daughter tempted Buddha.
  • K: to the north-west of the Bodhi Tree, in a Vihara, there was an image of Kasyapa Buddha, which was noted for its miraculous powers.
  • E, E: to the north-west of Kasyapa's statue there were two brick chambers, each containing the figure of an Earth Spirit. These were set up in remembrance of the two Spirits of the Earth, who became witnesses for Buddha, when Mara tempted him for the last time.
  • S: to the north-west of the wall of the Bodhi Tree, that is outside the enclosure, there was a Stupa called Kunkuma, about 40 feet high.
  • N, L: this site shows the remains of a Temple built upon a ruined Stupa, with a small Stupa in front of it. Here Brahma exhorted Buddha when he had just acquired enlightenment, to turn the wheel of the Law.
  • C1, C2, C3, C4: these four Stupas seem to represent those which stood in the four corners of the Bodhi enclosure. After Buddha accepted the Grass (Gr.) he walked to all the four sides of the Bodhi Tree, while the earth trembled. On reaching the Vajrasan the earth was still.
  • H: is the ruin of a fine Temple which contained the pedestal of a statue dedicated by Mahanama,
  • I1, I2: two Stupas built by Indra and Brahma, near the Stupa where Mara tried to frighten Buddha.
  • J: a curious Stupa Temple, which yielded a copper coin of Raja Pasupati.
  • M1: by the side of the eastern wall of the Temple there was a Stupa marking the spot where Mara tried to frighten Buddha.
  • R: shows the site of an old Temple of the Gupta period, which was discovered during Major Meade's excavations in 1862.
  • T: marks the spot where a colossal sitting figure of Buddha was found, near the remains of a small old Temple, with its doorway facing the north towards the Bodhi Tree. The statue is of the early Gupta style of art, with a round, plump face and a full under-lip.
  • V1: represents the site of the original Vajrasan Throne inside Asoka's Temple.
  • V2: represents the site of the outer Vajrasan Throne, with an inscription of the Indo-Scythian period. It was immediately under the last position of the Bodhi Tree.
  • X: shows the spot where the copper gilt umbrella of Dharma Raja Guru was found, buried 8 feet below the level of the modern surface of the Burmese clearings.
  • Y: is an octagonal well on the south or right hand side of the road immediately outside the eastern gate of the present enclosure. It is worthy of notice that most of the old Buddhist wells are octagonal.
  • Z1: shows the spot where two small Chinese inscriptions were found.
  • Z2: shows the spot where two large Chinese inscriptions were found.
  • Z3: stone Stupa in honour of the ten thousand Buddhas.
  • Z4: marks the spot where a Chinese inscription with eight figures was found.

Entrance to Mahabodhi Temple.
The main entrance is from the east.


Main Temple from east.
The Mahabodhi Temple in its current shape with a stepped truncated pyramid and a small hemispherical stupa with finals on top.

  • The current pyramidal structure dates from the Gupta Empire, in the 5th–6th century CE.
  • It's identical to the architectural styles of Hindu temples still being constructed in India.

From the Main Gate to the Main Temple.
Path that leads from the Main Gate to the door of the Main Temple.

  • Notice the Ajapala Nigrodha Tree pillar in the center right of the photo.

Ajapala Nigrodha Tree (Banyan Tree).
We can read on the sign: «Lord Buddha spent the fifth week under this tree in meditation after enlightnment. Here he replied to a Brahmana that only by ones deeds one becomes a Brahmana, not by birth.»

  • The Ajapala Nigrodha Tree is denoted by the pillar standing in its place on the eastern entrance of the temple complex. After attaining enlightenment, Buddha spent his fifth week in meditation here. According to legend, this tree was planted by a young shepherd boy to protect Buddha, who shared his knowledge on the equality of humankind. There are many followers who sit around here and chant continuously.

Small Buddha-Pyramide.

Entrance door to the Main Temple.
The entrance door to the Main Temple faces east.


Buddha image in the Main Temple.
In 1884, a large Buddha image of the Pala period, likely removed at an earlier stage to the Mahant's residence from the temple sanctum, was reinstated.

  • The plith of the image was reconstructed at the time and parts of the dedicatory inscription inserted in their current position. The inscription records the rededication of the image by Pithipati Jayasena in the 13th century.
  • The sculpture has since been repaired, painted and gilded and is under active worship in the sanctum.

White Tara (Sitatara).
White Tara (Sitatara) with two arms seated on a white lotus and with eyes on her hand and feet, as well as a third eye on her forehead (thus she is also known as "Seven eyed").

  • She is known for compassion, long life, healing and serenity.
  • Also known as The Wish-fulfilling Wheel, or Cintachakra.
  • See more at Tara (Buddhism) - Wikipedia.

South side of the Main Temple.

Southwest corner of the Main Temple.

Mahabodhi Tree on the west side of the Main Temple.
The Bodhi tree at Bodhgaya is directly connected to the life of the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, who attained enlightenment or omniscient wisdom when he was meditating under it.

  • The temple was built directly to the east of the Bodhi tree, supposedly a direct descendant of the original Bodhi Tree.
  • According to the Jatakas, the navel of the earth lies at this spot,[9] and no other place can support the weight of the Buddha's attainment.
  • See more at Bodhi Tree - Wikipedia.

Diamond Throne (Vajrashila).
The Enlightenment Throne of the Buddha (Vajrasana), is an ancient stone slab located under the Bodhi tree, directly beside the Mahabodhi Temple.

  • The slab is thought to have been placed at Bodhgaya by Emperor Ashoka The Great of the Maurya Empire between 250-233 BCE, at the spot where the Buddha meditated.
  • The Enlightenment Throne of the Buddha is the seat or platform of enlightenment (bodhimanda) of Gautama Buddha.
  • The empty throne was a focus of devotion in early Buddhism, treated as a symbolic relic (cetiya). It was not intended to be occupied, but operated as a symbol of the missing Buddha. Ancient images show devotees kneeling in prayer before it, as they still do.
  • See more at Vajrasana, Bodh Gaya - Wikipedia.

Cloister Walk on the north side of the Main Temple.
We can read on the sign: «Lord Buddha spent the third week here walking up and down in meditation. On the platform lotuses indicate the places where the lord's feet rested while walking.»

  • The Buddha is said to have walked back and forth between the location of the Animeshlocha Stupa and the Bodhi tree.
  • According to legend, lotus flowers sprung up along this route; it is now called Jewel Walk (Ratnachakrama).

North side of the truncated pyramid.

Stairs on the north side of the Main Temple.
These stairs are used by groups of visitors to meditate and chant.


Relief with Nalagiri Elephant.
The Buddha's cousin and brother-in-law Devadatta is portrayed in Buddhist tradition as an evil and schismatic figure. He is said to have attempted to kill Buddha by setting the ferocious elephant Nalagiri on Buddha, at Rajgir. Buddha pacifies the elephant, who kneels before him.


Northeast corner of the Main Temple.

The Place of Unwinking Gaze (Animesa Locana).
We can read on the sign: «Animesa Locana (The Place of Unwinking Gaze). After enlightenment lord Buddha spent the second week in meditation here gazing unwinking at the Bodhi Tree.»

  • This Chaitya shrine is one of the spots where Lord Buddha spent seven days (the second week of enlightenment) looking at the Bodhi tree. It is believed that he did so without batting his eyelids as a gratitude for sheltering him. Subsequently, he spent another seven days walking between the Bodhi tree and the Animesh Lochan Chaitya. The route is called Ratnachankrama or the Jewel Walk.
  • Situated on the north east of the Mahabodhi Temple, this is the place where the Buddha spent the second week in meditation in standing posture gazing at the Bodhi Tree with motionless eyes for one whole week.

Buddha statue on the right side of the Main Temple door.

Om mani padme hum (left) near the southeast corner of the Main Temple.
Om mani padme hum is the six-syllabled Sanskrit mantra particularly associated with the four-armed Shadakshari form of Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion.

  • The literal meaning in English has been expressed as "praise to the jewel in the lotus", or as a declarative aspiration possibly meaning "I in the jewel-lotus".
  • In Tibetan Buddhism, this is the most ubiquitous mantra and the most popular form of religious practice, performed by laypersons and monastics alike. It is also an ever present feature of the landscape, commonly carved onto rocks, known as mani stones, painted into the sides of hills or else it is written on prayer flags and prayer wheels.
  • See more at Om mani padme hum - Wikipedia.

Mukalinda Lake on the south side of the Main Temple.
We can read on the sign: «Mukalinda Lake (The abode of snake king). Lord Buddha spent the sixth week in meditation here. While he was meditating severe thunder storm broke out; to protect him from the violent wind and rain, Naagraj Mukalinda (Snake King) came out for his safety.»

  • The place where the Buddha spent the sixth week in meditation after his Enlightenment. While the Buddha was in meditation, a severe thunder storm broke out and seeing the Buddha getting drenched, the snake king of the Lake called Muchalinda came out of his abode and protected the Buddha with his hood from the violent wind and rains.
  • Muchalinda Sarovar is south facing and comes after the Meditation Park, if you are walking around the premises in a clockwise direction. Buddha was meditating here in the sixth week. When a thunderstorm broke here, Buddha remained unmoved and continued to meditate. Muchalinda, the snake king of the lake, came out to shelter Buddha against the rains. The lake derives its name from the snake king. There is a depiction of Buddha being covered by Muchalinda’s hood amidst the lake.

See also

Source

Location

Location: Bodh Gaya, Bihar 824231, India