Jundo's India Diary: A Month of Travels & Pilgrimage

[Jyukatsu]

Thank you for the updates Jundo, it does bring back memories !
Gassho,
Marina
sat today

[Jundo]

One thing I was wondering was if you are wearing your robes when visiting Buddhist sites and temples or if you are dressing casually? Although black robes are probably not the most suitable clothing for subcontinental weather, I was thinking that they mark you out as a man of the way and might make it easier to connect with Indian monks and priests.

Hi Kokuu,

I have a Rakusu, the robe of the pilgrim. It covers the world.

Gassho, J

SatToday

[Kokuu]

I have a Rakusu, the robe of the pilgrim. It covers the world.

[Kaisho]

Jundo, seems like you've had quite a time already and you aren't nearly done. I would have a hard time in the crowd myself. Thank you for the update.
SeaChel
Sat2day

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[Rich]

Happy to hear India still has nudist holy men

Sat today

[Seishin]

Hi Kokuu,

I have a Rakusu, the robe of the pilgrim. It covers the world.

Gassho, J

SatToday

And your "modesty", given the company you've been keeping

[Jundo]

My new friend, Guru Dagubaba, Holy Recluse and Worshipper of Lord Shiva ... He makes his home under the tree (although not quite sure what he does in the rainy season) ...



dagubaba1.jpgdagubaba2.jpg

Leaving Pushkar in the morning to visit another Jain temple in Ajmer featuring a hall telling the story of the life of Rishabha, their first Tirthankara or "Teaching God". Remind you of any other stories?

Indra, the Lord of the celestials, ordered Kubera to rain down priceless jewels in the palace of his father Maharaj Nabhiraj, thus announcing the coming of the Saviour of the World. The golden city of Ayodhya was constructed by the Celestials according to the wishes of Indra. After six months, the mother Marudevi saw sixteen symbolic dreams, signifying that she was going to be the mother of The Tirthankar.

When Lord Rishabhdev was born in the royal palace in the center of Ayodhya, the thrones of Indras vibrated indicating the birth of the Divine Child. The celestials marched towards the city with great majesty. Indra, after completing three rounds of the city took the Baby Tirthankar on the 'Airawat' (Elephant) to Mt. Sumeru. On this golden mountain lies Panduk Shila upon which the Baby Tirthankar was seated for Mahabhisheka (the great sacred ablution) ceremony. The ablution was performed by the waters of the distant ocean Kshira Samudra, brought in 1008 huge pitchers. After this, the celestial company returned the Baby Tirthankar to the Palace of Maharaj Nabhiraj leaving several Celestials as child playmates with Him. Rishabhdev attained manhood and succeeded his father to the throne of Ayodhya.

As Rishabhdev became engrossed in worldly affairs, Indra appeared before Him with Apsara Nilanjana. She danced before Him and suddenly disappeared, discarding her mortal coil. This reminded Rishabhdev of the transient nature of the World and He decided to renounce it.

Installing in his place his eldest son Bharat, He left the palace followed by 4000 other kings. Indra followed by the other Celestials, took Rishabhdev in procession to the Triveni, the confluence of the Ganges, the Jamuna and the Saraswati at Prayag ( Allahabad ) where under the shade of the Akshayavat (sacred Banyan Tree) Rishabhdev gave up the world, including his clothes and gave himself to contemplation. He pulled out his hair (Kesh Lonch) by his own hands depicting his extreme detachment to all worldly and bodily comforts. Lord Rishabhdev took his first meal after one year of austerities and penance. Raja Shreyans, the king of Hastinapur, had the good fortune of being the first person to offer him a meal in the form of Sugarcane Juice on the 3rd day of the bright fortnight of the month of Vaishakha. ...

After 1000 years of austerities and penance, Lord Rishabhdev attained Keval Jnan (Omniscience) at Mount Kailash. Indra arranged a beautiful place of congregation known as "Samavasharana" where the Lord preached the doctrine of non-attachment to the world. Celestials, humans, and even birds & animals gathered to listen to Him. Tirthankars attain the power of walking in sky after attaining Omniscience. 225 Golden lotuses are placed beneath the Lord’s feet during his travel by Indra.

Here is one of the models in the temple, showing the march of the Celestials welcoming the Baby Tirthankar ...

The Baby Tirthankar given a ride on the 8 Trunked Airawat Elephant ...

Tomorrow, I return to Delhi, then on to Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and a bit of Nepal for the Buddhist pilgrimage portion of the trip.

Gassho, J

SatToday

[Mp]

Great update Jundo ... I love you and your new friend have the same beard! =)

Gassho
Shingen

s@today beardless

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[RichardH]

The Indian imagination has given the world so much. So rich, worlds within worlds. You look at home, Jundo, but then you look at home everywhere. Thank you for the update.

Gassho
Daizan
Sat today

[Kyonin]

Hi Jundo,

I'm happy you had the chance to spend time with a Guru. I feel a lot of respect for them because they sure can teach us about living a simple life with the bare minimum.

Safe journeys!


Gassho,

Kyonin
#SatToday

[Joyo]

Thanks for all these updates Jundo, it is so nice to hear from you!! Looks like you are your new friend are good buddies. =)

I hope you continue to have safe travels!!

Gassho,
Joyo
sat today

[Kaisho]

Jundo, thank you for the updates. Looks like he lives simply but I deed fully.

Sat2day
SeaChel

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[Jundo]

Hey Guys,

Someone wrote to ask if that was Hashish smoke in the photo of me and Guru Dagubaba, the Shiva worshiper. No, just his campfire. This trip is wild enough without any enhancements. He offered and I politely declined.

And for equal time with Shiva, a Vishnu priest painted this Tilika blessing on my forehead during a festival. (At least, that is what I am told it is) ...


deletevishnu1.png

The Tilaka is an auspicious, religious mark worn usually on the forehead, between the eyebrows and it indicates that the wearer belongs to the Hindu faith (although also given to an honored guest too). It is applied by hand and is made with a paste or powder that may be prepared from diverse materials, including sandal paste, red turmeric, sacred ashes, charcoal or clay. The application of Tilaka by a priest on the people visiting the temple is taken as a symbol of having received God’s blessing. Some people like the priests, sadhus and devout householders wear the mark everyday. Otherwise, it is generally applied on special occasions like religious ceremonies & rituals, ...

My friend said I was doing my best impersonation of Hare Krishna founder Swami Prabhupada ...



Anyway, today is my last day in Delhi before heading off to the Buddhist sacred spots. I visited the National Museum, which has quite a collection of religious art. Most touching for me was this very early (about 3rd Century BC) Mauryan image of the Buddha surrounded by his posse. What, can't see the Buddha there? Well, in the earliest days, the Buddha was only shown as an empty space ... or perhaps in symbols, as here: The Wheel of the Law (the Teachings), footprints and an empty chair ... The real Buddha was not someone or something that could be conveyed by an image ...

Only centuries later was the Buddha depicted in human form, gradually becoming more idealized and superhuman. This is a statue from Gandhara 2nd Century AD, one of the great centers of Buddhist art on the Silk Road. A lot of folks don't realize that all later Chinese and Japanese statues (maybe even the Buddha statue in your own home) have a very strong Greco-Roman influence that came down the Silk Road. Notice how the Kesa falls very much like a toga, and how the facial features and body have that same idealized quality of a Greek Adonis or Roman Augustus ... East meets West ...



Anyway, tomorrow ... off to Bodgaya.

Gassho, J

SatToday

[Mp]

Well Jundo I think your painting is lovely ... =)

How is your taste for curry coming along?

Gassho
Shingen

s@today

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[Jundo]

Well Jundo I think your painting is lovely ... =)

How is your taste for curry coming along?

Gassho
Shingen

s@today

Sent from my LG-H812 using Tapatalk

I have yet to have a bad meal here, perhaps because of the surroundings and atmosphere. The curry tastes good, and so many varieties. I am not usually that much of a curry fan.

I have also (so far) avoided any sign of tummy problems.

Gassho, J

SatToday