Here's a chance to walk the path once taken by Lord Buddha in the BC 6th century in the Jethian-Rajgir valley in Nalanda district, around 100km southeast of Patna.
Around 2,000 monks and several hundred Buddhists from across the globe are expected to take part in the second 13.5-km Jethian-Rajgir Dhamma walk on the Buddha Path on December 13. International Tipitaka Chanting Council (ITCC) and Light of the Buddha Dhamma Foundation International in association with Nav Nalanda Mahavihar, Rajgir, have organised the spiritual walk.
Moreover, a majority of around 4,000 Buddhist monks and other devotees, who have taken part in the ongoing 10-day Tipitaka chanting at Bodhgaya under the banner of ITCC and the Buddha Dhamma Foundation International, is expected to take part in the Dhamma walk. The chanting began on Wednesday and would conclude on December 12.
It is believed that Buddha took this path to come to ancient Rajgriha from Jethian on the invitation from then king of Magadh empire Bimbisar. Chief minister Nitish Kumar has frequented the Buddha path. "The walk would be led by venerable monks and nuns from Cambodia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand and other countries carrying alms bowls in their hand. They would also walk on the streets of villages falling on Buddha's path to collect alms. The people of Jethian, especially the womenfolk, are positive about reviving this ancient tradition," said Deepak Anand, a heritage volunteer at Nava Nalanda Mahavihara.
Buddha Path
It has been conceptualised on the basis of travelogues of Chinese monk-scholar Xuanzang in the 7th century AD. The Buddha Path through the Valley connects Rajgir with Jehian and was once an important pilgrimage path connecting erstwhile Indrasailaguha (present-day Parwati), Yahivana (present day Jethian), Tapovana and Sabodhi (Bodhgaya).
Jethian-Rajgir valley
The dense valley spans around 18km and falls under the jurisdiction of Nalanda as well as Gaya districts. Jethian is linked with many events in Buddha's life. Xuanzang spent almost two years here with an eminent monk Jayadeva and wrote extensively about the many spots associated with Buddha.
