A Burmese Buddhist Pilgrimage to Bodhgaya etc.

Dr Maung Maung Nyo


(Mahabodhi Temple)

I take pride being a Burman born in Burma
As any other national of creed or color
That has a home and heritage of ancestral father
And I’m a Burmese Buddhist down to the core with ardor.

(L to R: MMN, NOM, Daw Khin Yi, U Bo Kyin, Chaw Suu)

I was fortunate to be able to go to Bodh Gaya
Where Gautama Buddha enlightened to be Buddha
It’s one of the four places called “Thanwai Lay Htarna”
It’s the rare feat of fortune I was able to reach thus.

(Pilgrims at the Entrance to the Mahabodhi Compound)

My heart leapt up when I first saw the Bodh Gaya
Tall, towering and grandly designed like a rock pillar
The beautiful Banyan tree branching wide near
Many people are worshiping wondrously clear.

(Pilgrims at The Entrance to Maharaja Museum
at Varanasi or Benares)

I was with my wife and wise sister’s family
We came on an Indian plane on our own gamely
A Ph.D, monk has awaited us at Gaya Airport
He would lead our Buddhist Pilgrimage with support.

(Dhamekha Cedi or Stupa at the Deer Park or Migadawon)

The monk took us to a Mahayana Hotel in Bodh Gaya
For a night’s stay where our sojourn was finally discussed over
Another Ph.D. monk took over the guide function
The first monk had to go to Patna for government sanction.

(Remains of the Migadawon Temple at Sarnath)

Many Burmese monks are studying in Indian varsities
For higher degrees like M.A. and Ph.D. for Buddhist studies
We met several Sayadaws with Ph.D.
It’s the selfless and patriotic efforts of the Burmese clergy.

(NOM and MMN at the Mayadevi Temple of the Buddha's
Birthplace at Lumbini)

Next day we went to Varanasi to see the “Deer Park”
Where Budddha preached the “Dhamma Setkya” first
To the “Five Preceptors” the Law of Mijjima Padipada
The wheel of Buddhism was set in motion since for the world.

(MMN at Lumbini)

We then went to “Zetawun Monastery” in Srivasti or Tharawutti
Where Anarhtapein donated it to Buddha for keeping it
The land cost him cartloads of gold
An equal amount was spent for the building more.

(Mahanirvana Temple and Stupa at Kushinagar)

We then went to Sonauli, a border town
A Ph.D. monk is building a rest house with a lawn
For the Burmese Buddhists on the way to Lumbini
Yes, we went there on the Nepali side happily.

(Burmese Pilgrims and Their Donated Robe at
Mahaparinirvana Buddha)

Lumbini is the place where Buddha was born
An Asoka’s Column was standing with its capital down
The exact place where Siddhartha was born is shown
A pond and a pagoda mark the place of honor known.

(MMN at Sravasti ir Sarvasti or Tharwutti)

We even went to the old Kapilavastu City
Where Suddosana ruled the Sarky with amity
It’s now marked by a brick foundation
We visited it with sad emotion and longing.

(PM of UP State Mayawati and Burmese Sayadaw)

Later, we came back to Indian side
Drove straight to the Kusinaga right
Where we put up in the Burmese Monastery in silence
The statue of Buddha Mahaparinirvrna lay across the fence.

(Burmese Pilgrrims and Vesali Monk, U Pyinna Thuta Ph.D.)

Mahaparinirvarna Buddha is lying with his head to the north
In a clean and spacious chamber donated by Nehru on record
Many people of different colors and states came to pray
We donated a lotus robe with prayers calling it a day.

(Asoka Temple Ruins and a Single Lion on
a Pillar or Column)

We have been to many other places too
The Indian scenery is no different from Burma true
Palm trees, paddy fields and poor people tilling the land
Roads were rough and rigged with dirt and sand.

(In Front of Sujata Cedi)

We visited Rajgira or Yazagyo old town
Five mountains encircle it all around
The electric armed chairs lifted us to the “Vulture Peak”
We enjoyed climbing and descending it such a rare feat.

(Dry Nairanjana or Nezinyazar River)

The Bimbisara Caves reminded us of father and son saga
Prince Ajattasattu killed his king father for greed or Loba
To be king before the time was ripe
Devadatta taught him to be wild with might.

(At the Gate to the Remains of the Nalanda University)

A good teacher is what every one needs
Buddha preached it in Mingala Sutta neat
That “Avoid the fool and approach the wise”
It’s a dictum all humans should learn right.

Dr Maung Maung Nyo
15.11.2010 (Original)