At Rajagrha, a no-frills ski lift takes you to the top of Ratnagiri Hill where the Japanese have built the Visvashanti Stupa which features four niches, one in each of the cardinal directions, all sheltering well-executed, bigger than life, golden statues. These represent the Buddha's birth, the moment of enlightenment, turning the wheel of the first teaching and entering nirvana. As promised, about one year after his enlightenment, the Awakened One returned to Rajagrha with a thousand disciples. King Bimbisara greeted the Buddha and his entourage and offered them his favorite park known as The Bamboo Grove. This was the first home for the sangha. Here in the Kingdom of Magadha, the Buddha was to meet three of his wisest disciples; Sariputra, Maudgalyayana, and Mahakasayapa. Rajagrha is also the place where the Blessed One would survive two assassination attempts by his jealous cousin Devadatta; one involving a large boulder that was rolled from the heights, and another plot involving a mad elephant which was to have trampled the Buddha on the streets of Rajagrha. The rock barely missed. As for the elephant, Tusker suddenly became very gentle as he approached the Buddha and knelt to receive his blessing. Having spent many years in the jungle, Buddha had long ago learned how to communicate well with elephants.
TURTLE HILL © 2000