SankasiaSankasia.html
SarhathSarhath.html
Bodh GayaBodhgaya.html
SravastiSravasti.html
Rajagaha
VesaliVesali.html
KusinaraKusinara.html
Sankasia.html
Vesali.html
Sarhath.html
Bodhgaya.html
LumbiniLumbini.html
The Eight Great Pilgrimage Sites

Rajagaha

Defeat of the Elephant

Sankasia.html
The Buddha calming an enraged elephant sent by his cousin Devadatta to kill him. Also the location where he sets up the rules for his monasteries.

Establishing Rules

Shakyamuni traveled to Rajagaha by the request of the local king. As he neared the palace a group of archers organized by The Buddha’s cousin Devadatta tried to kill him but were unsuccessful. Enraged Devadatta freed an angry elephant at his cousin who calmed the beast immediately. The Buddha stayed in Rajagaha and the surrounding area for many years. A particular place called “Vulture’s Peak” was a favorite spot where he gave his sermons. He returned to this spot many times over his life and met here with a council of followers to determine the rules or cannon of their new found religion.

Vulture’s Peak

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This site was created by Dave Sexton at the NEH Summer Institute "Literatures, Religions, and Arts of the Himalayan Region," held at the College of the Holy Cross, Summer 2011