Sacred and significant places and spaces for Buddhists

Sacred Sites in Buddhism

Lumbini

This is the birthplace of Gautama Buddha, located in present-day Nepal.
It is visited during the Buddhist pilgrimages and features the main temple, the Mayadevi Temple.
Other key features include the sacred Bodhi tree, an ancient bathing pond, the Ashoka pillar, and the museum.

Bodh Gaya

It is the place where Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree.
The site is home to the Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Pilgrims traditionally meditate under a descendant of the original Bodhi tree.

Sarnath

This is the site where Buddha first taught the Dharma, and where the original Sangha - the community of his followers - was formed.
Highlights of Sarnath include the Dhamek Stupa, Chaukhandi Stupa, Ashoka Pillar, and the Sarnath Museum.

Kushinagar

It’s believed to be the location where Buddha entered Parinirvana, the final deathless state after his death.
Key sites include the Mahaparinirvana Temple, which houses a statue of a reclining Buddha, and the Ramabhar Stupa, thought to be the site of Buddha’s cremation.

Significant Spaces in Buddhism

Buddhist Temples

These serve as places of worship, meditation, and veneration of Buddha images.
Temples can be found worldwide and exhibit various architectural styles, reflecting the cultural diversity of Buddhism.

Stupas

These are important monuments containing relics (sometimes of the Buddha), used as places of meditation.
They symbolise the Buddha’s enlightenment and the spread of the Dharma.

Meditation Halls (Zendo)

These are spaces designed to facilitate Zen Buddhist meditation and mindfulness practice.
Typically, the hall is quiet and minimally furnished to aid concentration.

Retreat Centres

These provide the opportunity for intensive meditation and teaching periods, usually in serene and isolated locations.
Retreats can vary in length from a weekend to several months.

Remember, these sites and spaces hold different levels of significance to different branches and followers of Buddhism, reflecting the broad diversity within this religious tradition.