A Buddhist Pilgrimage to India

Mahindarama.com

Map of the four principal pilgrimage sites, namely the place of the Buddha's: birth, final nirvana, first sermon, and enlightenment.

Birthplace: Lumbini, Nepal. (Disputed: see ranajitpal.com for actual location)

Hometown: Kapilavastu, Nepalese foothills (Also disputed: ranajitpal.com)

Enligtenment: Under the actual Bodhi tree (descendant), Bodhgaya, India

First sermon: Sarnath, Benares, India (Isipatana Deer Park)

Final instructions and final nirvana: Kushinagar, India

Cremation stupa: Rambhar Jhil, Kushinagar, India

The last words the Buddha uttered were, "Behold, O disciples, I exhort you: Hurtling toward destruction are all conditioned things. Strive on with diligence!"

The vessel containing the remains of the Buddha was taken by Dona, who was instrumental in dividing the cremation relics. These relics were divided into eight portions and distributed equally to the:

1. Mallas of Kusinara
2. Ajatasattu King of Magadha
3. Licchavis of Vesali
4. Sakyans of Kapilavattu
5. Bulies of Attakapa
6. Koliyas of Ramagrama
7. Mallas of Pava, and to a resident of
8. Vethadipa.

Other important Buddhist sites
Rajgir (Rajagaha) - Veluvana Ramaya (the Bamboo Grove) - Vulture's Peak - Sravasthi (Savatthi) the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Kosala - Jetavana Monastery (Jeta's Grove) - Pubbarama Monastery Vaishali (Vesali) where the last sutra was preached - the Mango Grove Kaushambi (Kosambi) - Nalanda the Great Buddhist University - Sanchi established by King Asoka