On a pilgrimage to India, Andrea Miller connects with the flesh-and-blood Buddha, who lived, reached enlightenment, and taught in these very places. His humanity, she finds, is more inspiring than any legend. It means awakening is possible for all of us. With photos by James Gritz. The National Museum in New Delhi doesn’t usually welcome visitors until 10 a.m., but on the [...]
Suspects arrested in connection to Bodhgaya bomb plot
Two active members of banned terror group Jamat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) were arrested by the Kolkata Police’s special task force in connection to the recent low-intensity blast in Bodhgaya on January 19, when the Dalai Lama was visiting. Police recovered at least 50 kilograms of ammonium nitrate explosives from Paigambar Sheikh, age 24, and Jamirul Sheikh, age 31, who [...]
Make the Most of Your Pilgrimage
Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche explains how to get the most out of a spiritual journey to India, from generating proper motivation to the most effective practices for accumulating merit and wisdom while visiting Buddhism’s holy sites. The ancient holy sites in India and throughout the Himalayan region have been blessed again and again by buddhas and bodhisattvas throughout the [...]
Pilgrims’ Progress
The great pilgrimage sites marking major events in the Buddha’s life have gone from ruin to renewal, but problems remain and their future is not secure. Joseph Szostak reports from India on the history of Buddhist pilgrimage and the challenges and benefits of this ancient practice. From the archives of Buddhadharma. A few days into my first pilgrimage, I was traveling on [...]
