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35-751: Lumbinī ([लुम्बिनी] Error: {{Langx}}: invalid parameter: |IPA= ( help ) pronounced [ˈlumbini] , "the lovely") is a Buddhist pilgrimage site in the Rupandehi District of Lumbini Province in Nepal . According to the sacred texts of the Buddhist Commentaries, Maya Devi gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama in Lumbini in c.624 BCE . Siddhartha Gautama achieved Enlightenment , and became Shakyamuni Buddha who founded Buddhism . He later passed into parinirvana at

70-453: A 100-rupee Nepali note featuring Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha . The Nepal Rastra Bank said the new note would be accessible only during the Dashain , Nepal's major festival in the time of September/October. It displays the portrait of Mayadevi, Gautam Buddha's mother in silver metallic on the front. The note also has a black dot which would help the blind recognise the note. The name of

105-630: A feeling of spiritual urgency: In addition the four sites mentioned earlier ( Lumbini , Bodh Gaya , Sarnath and Kushinagar ), the Buddhist texts later written by Buddha's followers also mention four more sacred sites where a certain miraculous event is reported to have occurred, thus completing the list of "Attha-mahathanani" ( Pali for "The Eight Great Places" ) in India: Some other pilgrimage places in India and Nepal connected to

140-567: A museum, and the Lumbini International Research Institute are also near to the holy site. The Puskarini, or Holy Pond, is where Mayadevi, the Buddha's mother, is believed to have taken the ritual bath prior to his birth and where the Buddha also had his first bath. At other sites near Lumbini, earlier Buddhas were born, then achieved ultimate Enlightenment and finally relinquished their earthly forms. Lumbini

175-489: A peaceful and tourism area and table the proposal" and the responsibility to gather international support for the same. In 2022 on Buddha's Birthday , Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Nepalese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba , jointly laid the foundation stone for the Indian monastery in Lumbini. Nepal-India cultural events are held annually in Lumbini highlighting the close spiritual and cultural connection between

210-466: A pillar in a historical period as early as the 3rd century BCE, is considered by some authors as quite doubtful and problematic. Such complex religious constructions are generally considered as belonging to later stages of the development of Buddhism. The inscription, made when Emperor Asoka visited the site in 249 BCE and erected the pillar, reads: “ Beloved of the Gods Priyadarsin in

245-516: A place of pilgrimage (Dīghanikāya, 16; Mahāparinibbāṇa Sutta ): There are, O monks, four places on earth which a believing householder's son or a believing householder's daughter should commemorate as long as they live. Which are those four? –here the Venerable One has been born –here the Venerable One has attained the unsurpassable complete enlightenment –here the Venerable One has turned the threefold-turning, twelve-spoked lawful wheel – here

280-744: A sacred Bodhi tree , an ancient bathing pond, the Ashokan pillar and the Mayadevi Temple, a site traditionally considered to be the birthplace of the Buddha. From early morning to early evening, pilgrims from various countries perform chanting and meditation at the site. Lumbini complex is divided into three areas: the Sacred Garden, the Monastic Zone and the Cultural Center and New Lumbini Village. The Sacred Garden remains

315-538: A series of new hotels are being constructed in and around Lumbini, hoping to cash in on the expected international tourist boom once the airport expansion work is completed. Lumbini has four official sister cities : Buddhist pilgrimage The most important places in Buddhism are located in the Indo-Gangetic Plain of southern Nepal and northern India . This is the area where Gautama Buddha

350-720: A stone pillar to be set up, (in order to show) that the Blessed One was born here. (He) made the village of Lumbini free of taxes, and paying (only) an eighth share (of the produce). The park was previously known as Rupandehi , 2 mi (3.2 km) north of Bhagavanpura. The Sutta Nipáta (vs. 683) states 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

385-472: Is believed to mark the spot of Ashoka 's visit to Lumbini. The site was not known as Lumbini before the pillar was discovered. The translation of inscription (by Paranavitana) reads: When King Devanampriya Priyadarsin had been anointed twenty years, he came himself and worshipped (this spot) because the Buddha Shakyamuni was born here. (He) both caused to be made a stone bearing a horse and caused

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420-591: Is currently constructing a major Buddhist monastery in Lumbini. New excavations in the Mayadevi temple in Lumbini in 2013 revealed a series of the most ancient Buddhist shrines in South Asia extending the history of the site to a much earlier date. According to Robin Coningham , excavations beneath existing brick structures at the Mayadevi Temple at Lumbini provide evidence for an older timber structure beneath

455-533: Is located about 22 kilometers to the northwest of Lumbini, the Nigali Sagar pillar (with inscription), and a third one 24 kilometers to the west, the Gotihawa pillar (without inscription). Lumbini is 4.8 km (3 mi) in length and 1.6 km (1.0 mi) in width. The holy site of Lumbini is bordered by a large monastic zone in which only monasteries can be built, no shops, hotels or restaurants. It

490-525: Is separated into an eastern and western monastic zone, the eastern having the Theravadin monasteries, the western having Mahayana and Vajrayana monasteries. There is a long water filled canal separating the western and eastern zones, with a series of brick arch bridges joining the two sides along the length. The canal is serviced by simple outboard motor boats at the north end which provides tours. The holy site of Lumbini has ruins of ancient monasteries,

525-529: Is thought that it was moved about 8 to 13 miles, from an uncertain location. Besides his description of the pillar, Führer made a detailed description of the remains of a monumental " Konagamana stupa" near the Nigali Sagar pillar, which was later discovered to be an imaginative construct. Führer wrote that "On all sides around this interesting monument are ruined monasteries, fallen columns, and broken sculptures", when actually nothing can be found around

560-548: The Progress Report of the Archaeological Survey Circle, North-West Province , for the year ending on June 30, 1895. The fact that the inscription was discovered by Führer, who is also known to have forged Brahmi inscriptions on ancient stone artefacts, casts a doubt on the authenticity of this inscription. The pillar was not erected in-situ, as no foundation has been discovered under it. It

595-767: The 14th year of his reign enlarged for the second time the stupa of the Buddha Kanakamuni and in the 20th year of his reign, having come in person, paid reverence and set up a stone pillar”. 𑀤𑁂𑀯𑀸𑀦𑀁𑀧𑀺𑀬𑁂𑀦 𑀧𑀺𑀬𑀤𑀲𑀺𑀦 𑀮𑀸𑀚𑀺𑀦 𑀘𑁄𑀤𑀲𑀯𑀲𑀸 𑀪𑀺𑀲𑀺𑀢𑁂𑀦 Devānam piyena piyadasina lajina chodasavasā [bhisite]na 𑀩𑀼𑀥𑀲 𑀓𑁄𑀦𑀸𑀓𑀫𑀦𑀲 𑀣𑀼𑀩𑁂𑀤𑀼𑀢𑀺𑀬𑀁 𑀯𑀠𑀺𑀢𑁂 Budhasa Konākamanasa thube-dutyam vaḍhite 𑀯𑀺𑀲𑀢𑀺𑀯 𑀲𑀸𑀪𑀺𑀲𑀺𑀢𑁂𑀦𑀘 𑀅𑀢𑀦 𑀅𑀕𑀸𑀘 𑀫𑀳𑀻𑀬𑀺𑀢𑁂 [Visativa] sābhisitena ca atana-agāca mahīyite 𑀲𑀺𑀮𑀣𑀩𑁂𑀘 𑀉𑀲𑀧𑀧𑀺𑀢𑁂 [silathabe ca usa] papite Because of this dedication by Ashoka,

630-691: The Buddhas of the past, was born. The Asoka inscription engraved on the pillar in Brahmi script and Pali language attests the fact that Emperor Asoka enlarged the Kanakamuni Buddha's stupa, worshiped it and erected a stone pillar for Kanakamuni Buddha on the occasion of the twentieth year of his coronation. Added to the doubts on the authenticity of the inscription, the very mention of a "divinized Buddha having been several time reborn" and preceded by other Buddhas such as Kanakamuni Buddha, inscribed on

665-609: The Devadaha Sutta. In 1896, former Commander-In-Chief of the Nepalese Army General Khadga Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana and Alois Anton Führer discovered a great stone pillar at Rupandehi , according to the crucial historical records made by the ancient Chinese monk-pilgrim Xuanzang in the 7th century CE and by another ancient Chinese monk-pilgrim Faxian in the early 5th century CE. The Brahmi inscription on

700-527: The Nigali Sagar pillar has the earliest known record ever of the word " stupa " (here the Pali word Thube ). There is also a second inscription, "Om mani padme hum" and "Sri Ripu Malla Chiram Jayatu 1234" made by King Ripu Malla in the year 1234 ( Saka Era , corresponding to 1312 CE). The Chinese pilgrims Fa-Hien (337 CE – c. 422 CE) and Xuanzang (602–664 CE) describe the Kanakamuni Stupa and

735-478: The Venerable One has gone to the realm of complete nirvāṇa. Along with Lumbini which is the Buddha 's place of birth; Bodh Gaya where he attained enlightenment , Sarnath where he gave his first sermon and Kushinagar where he attained parinirvana are four most significant pilgrimage sites in Buddhism . These four places form a pilgrimage circuit along Buddha's Holy Sites . Nepal's central bank has introduced

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770-679: The West Monastic Zone which represents Mahayana and Vajrayana school of Buddhism, with their respective monasteries on the either side of a long pedestrian walkway and canal. Marking the monastic spot as a sacred pilgrimage site, many countries have established Buddhist stupas and monasteries in the monastic zone with their unique historical, cultural and spiritual designs. The Cultural Center and New Lumbini Village comprises Lumbini Museum, Lumbini International Research Institute, World Peace Pagoda of Japan, Lumbini Crane Sanctuary and other administrative offices. The Government of Bangladesh

805-465: The age of 80 years, in c.544 BCE. Lumbini is one of four most sacred pilgrimage sites pivotal in the life of the Buddha. Lumbini has a number of old temples, including the Mayadevi Temple , and several new temples, funded by Buddhist organisations from various countries. Most of the temples have already been completed and some are still under construction. Many monuments, monasteries , stupas,

840-665: The central bank in Roman script would be printed on the note along with the date of printing in both the Gregorian Era and the Bikram Era . The new note is being issued following a cabinet decision 27 August. Nipponzan Myohoji decided to build a Peace Pagoda in the park in 2001, which is visited by many different cultures and religions every day. Because some Hindus regard the Buddha as an incarnation of Vishnu , thousands of Hindus have begun to come here on pilgrimage during

875-732: The epicenter of the Lumbini area and consists of the birthplace of Buddha and other monuments of archaeological and spiritual importance such as the Mayadevi Temple , the Ashoka Pillar , the Marker Stone, the Nativity Sculpture, Puskarini Sacred Pond and other structural ruins of Buddhist stupas and viharas. The Monastic Zone, spanning an area of one square mile is divided into two zones: the East Monastic Zone which represents Theravada school of Buddhism and

910-452: The full moon of the Nepali month of Baisakh (April–May) to worship Queen Mayadevi as Rupa Devi, the mother goddess of Lumbini. Lumbini was granted World Heritage status by UNESCO in 1997. In 2011, Lumbini Development National Director Committee wad formed under the leadership of Prime Minister Prachanda .The committee was given the authority to "draft a master plan to develop Lumbini as

945-641: The life of Gautama Buddha are mostly located in the Gangetic plain . In the order of places traveled by Buddha. Please help expand this incomplete list. Other famous places for Buddhist pilgrimage in various countries include: Nigali Sagar The pillar was discovered in 1893 by a Nepalese officer on a hunting expedition. The pillar and its inscriptions (there are several inscriptions on it, from Brahmi to Medieval) were researched in March 1895 by Alois Anton Führer . Führer published his discovery in

980-505: The pillar gives evidence that Ashoka , emperor of the Maurya Empire , visited the place in 3rd-century BCE and identified it as the birth-place of the Buddha. At the top of the pillar, there is a second inscription by king Ripumalla (1234 Saka Era , 13-14th century CE), who is also known from an inscription at the Nigali Sagar pillar: Om mani padme hum May Prince Ripu Malla be long victorious 1234 A second pillar of Ashoka

1015-539: The pillar. In the following years, inspections of the site showed that there were no such archaeological remains, and that, in respect to Fuhrer's description "every word of it is false". It was finally understood in 1901 that Führer had copied almost word-for-word this description from a report by Alexander Cunningham about the stupas in Sanchi . It is said that in this place the Kanakamuni Buddha , one of

1050-404: The soil suggests human activity began at Lumbini around 1000 BCE. The site, states Coningham, may be a Buddhist monument from 6th-century BCE. Other scholars state that the excavations revealed nothing that is Buddhist, and they only confirm that the site predates the Buddha. Before parinirvana at the age of eighty, Gautama Buddha gave a sermon to his disciples on the significance of Lumbini as

1085-609: The two countries. António Guterres , secretary-general of the United Nations made a visit to Lumbini in the October of 2023 and "urged everyone to reflect on the core teachings of Buddhism and their relevance in today’s troubled world ", highlighting conflicts around the world from Middle East to Ukraine to Africa, undermining of global rules and their devastating impacts on ordinary people, especially women and children. In 2019, Lumbini received 1.5 million visitors from across

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1120-466: The walls of a brick Buddhist shrine built during the Ashokan era (3rd-century BCE). The layout of the Ashokan shrine closely follows that of the earlier timber structure, which suggests a continuity of worship at the site. The pre-Mauryan timber structure appears to be an ancient tree shrine. Radiocarbon dating of charcoal from the wooden postholes and optically stimulated luminescence dating of elements in

1155-537: The world. Lumbini is a 10-hour drive from Kathmandu and a 30-minute drive from Bhairahawa . The closest airport is Gautam Buddha Airport at Bhairahawa, with flights to and from Kathmandu. The nearest airport to Lumbini, Gautam Buddha Airport in Bhairahawa, is currently undergoing expansion. This small domestic airport is soon expected to become an international airport, with latest deadline set for 2019. The airport expansion attracted investors and hoteliers, and

1190-408: Was born, lived, and taught, and the main sites connected to his life are now important places of pilgrimage for both Buddhists and Hindus . Many countries that are or were predominantly Buddhist have shrines and places which can be visited as a pilgrimage. Gautama Buddha himself had identified the following four sites most worthy of pilgrimage for his followers, observing that these would produce

1225-401: Was made a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997. In the time of the Buddha, Lumbini was situated east of Kapilavastu and south-west of Devadaha of Shakya , an oligarchic republic. According to the Buddhist tradition, it was there that the Buddha was born. Ashoka Pillar of Lumbini , a monolithic column with an inscription in the ancient Brahmi script discovered at Rupandehi in 1896,

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