Buddhist Stupa

 

Buddhist historical importance of Budhouli, Sheikhpura

The first historical account of Sheikhpura has been identified by General Cunninghum with a village visited by the Chinese pilgrim Hieun Tsiang in the seventh century A.D. Hieun Tsiang after leaving the Gaya district arrived at a large and populous village to the south of the Ganges, which possessed many Brahmanical temples ornamented with fine sculptures. " Both distance and direction point to the vicinity of Sheikhpura, a position which is confirmed by the subsequent easterly route of the pilgrim,through forests and hill gorges."

This is a place of historical importance. It is believed that Lord Buddha had spent four days here to preach. This place is on the hill called Budhouli, it is a leveled ground and just a few yards above there seems to be a Cave as the entrance looks like a big door. There was also a great stupa built on the spot where Buddha had preached.

This site should be preserved to save the heritage value of this place and attract tourists and thus Sheikhpura be not only on the Tourist map of Bihar but of India.

Proposal of Shanti Stupa

Construction of Shanti Stupa and a Monastery on the hill of Budhouli, Sheikhpura (Bihar, India)

Naga Buddha

Dheunsa:

Dheusa is a small village approx 10 km north west from Sheikhpura town and near by an ancient lake of Mathokhar. It is a hindu village with the population of approx 1500 people. It is believed that this is an ancient village which is situated on elevated land. Here you can find 7^th century Buddhist and Hindu statues and sculpture of black stone in broken status. It is believed that these statuses were destroyed during the Muslim conquest during the 12^th century.

Among them Naga Buddha is the biggest statue of approx 5 feet. In the past there was a big temple whose columns are lying there still today. After independence the villagers collectively built a small Buddha temple with their own efforts using these columns of the temple and statues. This place is called Nagasthan by the villagers. But due to lack of maintenance and fund it again turned into ruins.

Tale about Naga Buddha.

When Buddha attained enlightenment he continued to mediate for seven weeks.

During the second week he stood and gazed at the beautiful Bodhi tree under which he was sitting when he received enlightenment.

But during the sixth week he sat by the side of nearby lake.

While he was deep in mediation, a storm came up. Heavy rain fell, and cold winds blew around him.

Seeing this, Mucalinda, a great naga (snake), came from his dwelling and coiled his body seven times around the Buddha’s body to keep him warm. Then it spread its hood over Buddha’s head to protect him from the rain. The storm lasted for seven days. And when the rain stopped, the naga uncoiled itself, took the form of a young man, and bowed to Buddha.

This style of Naga Buddha statue seated on the body of a coiled serpent and sheltered from the rain by the seven hoods of the Naga commonly featured in the Buddhist sculptures of North-eastern Thailand is one of the most significant postures.

Sheikhpura, Bihar, India

About Sheikhpura

Sheikhpura is a new district carved out of Munger district on 31-07-1994. District Head Quarter Sheikhpura is situated at North side of Gaya-Kuel Rail line. This district lies in the southern part of Bihar that is bounded by Nalanda & Patna district in North, Nawada & Jamui district in South, Lakhisarai district in East and Nalanda & Nawada district in West. The district spanning in 77705 hectares is situated between North latitudes 24º45’ and 25º and East longitude 85º45’ and 86º45’.

• Topography :

Topographically district has two types of region – the rocky highland formed by hilly portion in centre, surrounded by fertile land in North, South, East and West. The land is sloping towards North Eastern side. Because of the low lying area in some parts of the North Eastern side, the water gets accumulated during rainy season leading to water-logged conditions.

• Rivers:

There are no big rivers of perennial nature worth to be mentioned in this district. Of course there are some small rivers which flow during rainy season viz Somi, Korihari, Tati, Kachchi & Rijown.

Total population         605,137

Distance of Sheikhpura from following sorrouning Buddhist Pilgrimage.

Patna :                       100 K.M

Bodh Gaya:               120 K.M

Rajgir:                         55 K.M

Nalanda:                     50 K.M

Vaishali:                    120 K.M