21/03/2026
𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟯 – 𝟯𝗿𝗱 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗕𝗼𝗱𝗵𝗴𝗮𝘆𝗮 – 𝗩𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗶
Our day began with an early morning visit to the Mahabodhi Temple, where we once again paid homage to the Buddha in the Sanctum. We then embarked on a meaningful journey to the seven sacred sites where the Buddha spent the 7 weeks following his enlightenment:
1. First Week – Pallaṅka Sattāha- The Buddha sat on the Aparājita Throne (Victory Throne) for 7 days experiencing the Bliss of Emancipation (Arahantship bliss). During the first watch, middle watch and last watch of the first waning day of Vesakha, the Buddha contemplated on the Dependent Origination (Paticcasamuppāda ) in forward and backward orders.
2. Second Week – Animisa Sattāha - From a short distance from the Bodhi tree, the Buddha stood gazing at the Bodhi Tree without blinking for one whole week as a mark of profound gratitude to the Bodhi tree that sheltered him during his struggle for Enlightenment. At that spot (known as Animisacetiya) King Asoka erected a shrine called Animisilocana Cetiya.
3. Third Week –Cankama Sattāha - : The Buddha spent the whole week on walking meditation, pacing up and down on a jewelled walk created by Devas and Brahmas (that place is called Ratanācankama Cetiya), between the Aparājita Throne and Animisacetiya.
4. Fourth Week – Ratanāghara Sattāha The Buddha spent the 4th week in the Jewelled House (Ratanāghara) created by Devas and Brahmas, contemplating on the intricacies of the Abhidhamma. Rays of six colours emitted from his body as he contemplated on the doctrine of the Paṭṭhāna or Conditional Relations, the seventh treatise of the Abhidhamma.
5. Fifth Week – Ajapāla Sattāha - Ajapāla Banyan tree (near the Bodhi tree): Absorbed in the Bliss of Emancipation, the Buddha seated under the Ajapāla Banyan tree, declared the qualities of a true Brahmin in response to a question of a conceited Brahmin.
6. Sixth Week – Mucalinda Sattāha – The Buddha was meditating under the Mucalinda tree and at that time the great unseasonal rain fell for seven days. A serpent king, Mucalinda came out and coiled its body around the Buddha with its expanded hood covering the Buddha’s head to protect him from the rain, cold, heat, gnats, mosquitoes, flies etc.
7. Seventh Week – Rājāyatana Sattāha– Rājāyatana tree: The Buddha sat under the Rājāyatana tree and absorbed in the bliss of Arahantship for seven days. After the forty-ninth days, the two merchant brothers from Myanmar, Tapussa and Bhallika offered rice cakes and balls of honey-food to the Buddha.
They were the first 2 lay disciples who took the twofold refuge in the Buddha and Dhamma. When they asked the Buddha for an object of worship, The Buddha gave them eight strands of his hairs. The precious hair relics are presently enshrined at the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar.
We concluded our visit with PŪjā, chanting the Mettā Sutta, and meditation, amidst the serene and sacred atmosphere.
Later, we had the great opportunity of offering Sanghika Dāna to more than 40 student monks and 3 senior monks at Mahayana Hotel, and offering of navakamma and allowable requisites. We also did sharing and transferenceof merits. We rejoiced at having the opportunity to do these wholesome acts.
Before continuing our journey to Vaishali, we made a meaningful stop at the Buddhabumi Meditation Centre, where we paid homage to Sayadaw U Kesara and 2 other Sayadaws. With deep respect, we offered a new laptop, navakamma and allowable requisites as well as donation to the building of the Meditation Centre.
We arrived safely at Vaishali around 7:00 p.m. and had our dinner; bringing a close to a fulfilling and enriching day.
