Ragir -Satipanna Cave & Vulture peak

SATIPANNA CAVE
Reached Ragir in time for our lunch at 11am. After lunch and a short rest, we took hike up to Satipanna cave. This is where the 1st buddist council of 500 arhats were held. At the foot of the hills were the hot springs as well as some Hindus temple which is very crowded but once up to the cave (about 1 hour hike up) it's pretty much on our own.

The caves have been sealed off due to the passage of time, but we did want in to one of the openings. Mediated for a while and listened to the discourse on the biddost council.

VULTURE PEAK
The next morning, weWoke up at 330am for the ascent to vulture peak.

This is the place where Buddha gave some important discourse and also the pace where it's believe the heart sutra was taught.

Took 45 mins of a climb in total darkness to reach the top. Up there, as we were the only group there in such early hours, it's really peaceful and quiet. Sat for a while under the stars and when i opened my eyes, can start to see the rays of the morning sun.

Spent almost 2 hours at the peak, mediating and listening to what the Buddha has taught. we came down while the sun is rising and the arrival of the other prilmgms.

A vast contrast to my previous trip when it's really crowded up the peak.

On The way back to hotel, we stopped by Bimbisara prison and the Javaka stupa (the buddist doctor).

We also did a trip to the bamboo groove and Nalanda, the Buddhist university where many monks studied and taught here in the early days. Sadly it was destroyed and all was left are the ruins that's about 1km long, where it used to sketches up to 10km.

JOURNEY TO BUDDHA LAND 2018 - Bodhgaya

Today is the 5th day of the trip. We are leaving for Ragir after 4 nights to Bodhgaya. Bodhgaya is where Lord Buddha attain enlignment sitting under the Bodhi Tree.

My 2nd visit to this place and this time, it's a longer visit. Seemingly the place is not as filled with beggars as during my 2012 trip.

Mahabodi temple is as usual filled with monks, prilmgms paying respect to the Buddha and the bodhi tree. Chanting and prostration around the temple.

There are many voices, sounds of different traditions chanting, even people talking bit surprisingly when near the bodhi tree and when u close your eyes and reflect inwards, there's always the sense of calm and peace.

We woke up early on 2 morning, set off at 430am for the morning mediation. There always a mad rush for the entry when the temple opens at 5am. But still once ok ger inside and gazed at the mahabodi temple, calmness regins.

We visited the Sujata Stupa where lady Sujata gave Buddha alms of the milk porridge after he stop his aestic practices as well as the Donga cave (where he spent 6 years of his aestic practices).

On the last day, we did a full day trip to Maha kassapa cave. It was a difficult trip of small and winding roads, and took us 2 to 3 hours to climb up the mountain with 1600 steps. Up the cave, we listened to the reading of his life story and enjoyed the entry of the cave.

And this concludes the 4 days at Bodgaya. I really enjoyed the time spent at the bodhi tree, simply taking in the energy and peace of the bodhi tree.