The beginning of it all Mahabodi Temple-part2

Seven sacred spots

Within the temple complex, there are seven spots where the Buddha spent a week each after his enlightenment.

Mahabodhi tree / Vajrasana:The Mahabodhi tree is considered to be the central location under which the Buddha attained enlightenment.

The current Bodhi tree is the direct descendant of the original tree. During Emperor Ashoka’s period, his daughter, Sanghamittra, took a branch from the original Bodhi tree from Bodhgaya to Sri Lanka, and planted it near the city of Anuradhapura. That Bodhi tree still grows at the same place, and is considered to be the oldest continually documented tree in the world. The present Mahabodhi tree is believed to have been grown from the sapling brought from the Bodhi tree in Sri Lanka.

There is also a platform built in between the Mahabodhi tree and the main temple. It is a large rectangular red-sand stone slab. It is believed that this was the exact place where the Buddha had attained enlightenment. This platform is called vajrasana(the diamond seat).

Animesa-locana (The place of unwinking gazing):This place is located at the north-east side of Mahabodhi Temple Complex, where the Buddha is said to have spent the second week after his enlightenment. Animesa-locanameans unblinking eyes,and it is believed that the Buddha had gazed at the Bodhi tree for seven days without blinking his eyes, as he was engrossed in the divine pleasure after the truth of life unfolded before him. A stupa is built at the spot to commemorate the event.

Chankraman Asthal: This is the spot where Sakyamuni Buddha spent the third week after attaining enlightenment. The Buddha is said to have spent the entire week walking around this holy place. The raised platform with lotus flowers mark the spotswhere the Buddha kept his feet while walking. There are 19 stone lotus structures built to symbolise the Buddha’s footprints.

Ratanaghara (The jewel house): There is a small shrine with small images of the Buddha at the north-west of the Bodhi tree. It is stated that the  Buddha spent the fourth week in meditation here reflecting on the Law of Dependent Origination. As per legend, a ray of six colours was said to have emanated from his body during that period. These are the same colours that are used in the present day Buddhist flag.

Ajapala Nigrodha Tree (Banyan tree): A stone pillar marking the Banyan tree is located near the entrance of  the Temple Complex at the middle  of the path that leads to the main temple. This is the spot where a tree once stood, under which the Buddha  spent the fifth week in meditation and delivered a discourse on the equality of all sentient beings. It is also said to  be the same place where the Buddha  stated that only by good deeds one becomes a Brahamana, not by birth.

Mucalinda Lake (The adobe of snake king):This is the spot where the Buddha spent the sixth week in  meditation after his enlightenment. As per a legend, when the Buddha was in meditation here, there was severe  thunderstorm. On seeing the Buddha  getting wet, the snake king of the lake  named  Mucalinda came out of the  water and protected the Buddha with his hood from the violent wind and rains. 

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