The stupa being constructed at Ayer-Pathri village in Gaya district. Picture by Suman
To bring lesser-known but sacred places associated with Buddha into the limelight, a stupa is being constructed near the Buddhavana cave at Ayer-Pathri village.
Nav Nalanda Mahavihara (NNM), in association with America-based Light of Buddha Dhamma Foundation International (LBDFI), is constructing it at Ayer-Pathri, around 35km northeast of the Gaya district headquarters.
The construction of the stupa is just the beginning of the long-term plan on which NNM - a deemed university functioning in Nalanda - is working in collaboration with LBDFI. Their plan is to develop and promote the sanctity of Jethian valley in Gaya, replete with sacred traces associated with the Buddha.
Ayer-Pathri and Jethian both fall in Mohra block of Gaya under Nimchak Bathani sub-division. Jethian is around 50km northeast of Gaya.
Architect Lamy Freund (left) with his assistants
at Ayer-Pathri village. Picture by Suman
Bihar Virasat Vikas Samitee member Deepak Anand said: 'US-based Tarthang Tulku Rinpoche performed prayers for the stupa. Lamy Freund, the architect from US, who has constructed many stupas to mark Buddha's footsteps in Bihar, also got overwhelming support from the residents.'
Ayer-Pathri has been identified with Buddhavana, a place associated with the wandering of Buddha as mentioned by 7th AD Chinese monk-scholar Hiuen Tsang. Venerable Sik Sau Chi from Miu Fat Buddhist Monastery, Hong Kong, visited Ayer-Pathri last year and was moved by the way the local communities tried to conserve with their limited resources the sacred remains scattered around the village.
Chi has also extended financial help so that a road could be built at Ayer-Pathri to get access to the sacred Buddha cave. 'People of the village are elated that their efforts are being appreciated and complemented by generous endowment from Buddhist visitors from all over the world,' Deepak said.
It is a step ahead towards acknowledging the lesser-known ancient sites as most of the focus from government and non-government agencies has been towards development and promotion of established Buddhist heritage in Bihar. At present, such focus is limited to prominent sites such as Bodhgaya, Rajgir, Nalanda and Vaishali.
