Bodh Gaya - Revision history

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	[[Category:Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India]]		[[Category:Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India]]
	[[Category:World Heritage Sites in India]]		[[Category:World Heritage Sites in India]]
	[[Category:Buddhist sites ~~in Bihar]]~~		[[Category:Buddhist holy sites in Bihar]]
	~~[[Category:Tourist attractions~~ in Bihar]]
	[[Category:Archaeological sites in Bihar]]		[[Category:Archaeological sites in Bihar]]
	~~[[Category:Historic sites in India]]~~
	[[Category:Cities and towns in Gaya district]]		[[Category:Cities and towns in Gaya district]]
	[[Category:Cities in Bihar]]		[[Category:Cities in Bihar]]
	[[Category:Populated places established in the 6th century BC]]		[[Category:Populated places established in the 6th century BC]]
	[[Category:Religious buildings and structures destroyed in the Muslim period in the Indian subcontinent]]		[[Category:Religious buildings and structures destroyed in the Muslim period in the Indian subcontinent]]

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	==External links==		==External links==


	*
	* [http://www.buddhanet.net/bodh_gaya/menu.htm Detailed history of Bodhgaya] by Ven. S. Dhammika.		* [http://www.buddhanet.net/bodh_gaya/menu.htm Detailed history of Bodhgaya] by Ven. S. Dhammika.
	* [http://bstdc.bih.nic.in/bodhgaya.htm Bihar state tourism development corporation (BSTDC)]		* [http://bstdc.bih.nic.in/bodhgaya.htm Bihar state tourism development corporation (BSTDC)]
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	*[http://www.gayatobodhgaya.com/map.html Bodhgaya Map]		*[http://www.gayatobodhgaya.com/map.html Bodhgaya Map]

			{{Buddhist sites in Bihar}}
	{{Buddhism topics}}		{{Buddhism topics}}
	{{Gautama Buddha}}		{{Gautama Buddha}}

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	==See also==		==See also==
	~~{{Portal\|India}}~~
	* [[Cetiya]]		* [[Cetiya]]
	* [[Bodhgaya inscription of Mahanaman]]		* [[Bodhgaya inscription of Mahanaman]]

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	\| footnotes = {{reflist\|group=A}}		\| footnotes = {{reflist\|group=A}}
	}}		}}
	'''Bodh Gaya''' is a religious site and place of pilgrimage associated with the [[Mahabodhi Temple]] Complex in [[Gaya district]] in the [[India]]n [[States and union territories of India\|state]] of [[Bihar]]. It is famous as it is the place where [[Gautama Buddha]] is said to have attained [[Enlightenment (Buddhism)\|Enlightenment]] ({{lang-pi\|bodhi\|pi-Latn}}) under what became known as the [[Bodhi Tree]].<ref name=Madan>{{cite book\|title=India through the ages\|last=Gopal\|first=Madan\|year= 1991\| page= 176\|editor=K.S. Gautam\|publisher=Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India}}</ref> Since antiquity, Bodh Gaya has remained the object of pilgrimage and veneration both for Hindus and Buddhists.<ref>{{Cite journal\|last=Kinnard\|first=Jacob\|title=When Is The Buddha Not the Buddha? The Hindu/Buddhist Battle over Bodhgayā and Its Buddha Image\|journal=Journal of the American Academy of Religion\|pages=817\|issn=0002-7189}}</ref>		'''Bodh Gaya''' is a religious site and place of pilgrimage associated with the [[Mahabodhi Temple]] Complex in [[Gaya district]] in the [[India]]n [[States and union territories of India\|state]] of [[Bihar]]. It is famous as it is the place where [[Gautama Buddha]] is said to have attained [[Enlightenment (Buddhism)\|Enlightenment]] ({{lang-pi\|bodhi\|pi-Latn}}) under what became known as the [[Bodhi Tree]].<ref name=Madan>{{cite book\|title=India through the ages\|last=Gopal\|first=Madan\|year= 1991\| page= 176\|editor=K.S. Gautam\|publisher=Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India}}</ref> Since antiquity, Bodh Gaya has remained the object of pilgrimage and veneration both for Hindus and Buddhists.<ref>{{Cite journal\|last=Kinnard\|first=Jacob\|title=When Is The Buddha Not the Buddha? The Hindu/Buddhist Battle over Bodhgayā and Its Buddha Image\|journal=Journal of the American Academy of Religion\|pages=817\|issn=0002-7189}}</ref> In particular, archaeological finds including sculptures show that the site was in use by Buddhists since the [[Mauryan]] period.<ref>{{cite book \|last1=Fogelin \|first1=Lars \|title=An Archaeological History of Indian Buddhism \|date=2015 \|publisher=Oxford University Press \|isbn=9780199948239 \|page=195}}</ref>

	For Buddhists, Bodh Gaya is the most important of the main four pilgrimage sites related to the life of Gautama Buddha,<ref>{{Cite journal\|title=Buddhist Pilgrimage\|url=http://www.vam.ac.uk/page/b/buddhist-pilgrimage/\|journal=Asia}}</ref> the other three being [[Kushinagar]], [[Lumbini]], and [[Sarnath]]. In 2002, Mahabodhi Temple, located in Bodh Gaya, became a [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]].<ref name="unesco">{{cite web		For Buddhists, Bodh Gaya is the most important of the main four pilgrimage sites related to the life of Gautama Buddha,<ref>{{Cite journal\|title=Buddhist Pilgrimage\|url=http://www.vam.ac.uk/page/b/buddhist-pilgrimage/\|journal=Asia}}</ref> the other three being [[Kushinagar]], [[Lumbini]], and [[Sarnath]]. In 2002, Mahabodhi Temple, located in Bodh Gaya, became a [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]].<ref name="unesco">{{cite web
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	Traditionally, Buddha was born in 563 BC on the following auspicious Baisakhi purnima. As Siddhartha, he renounced his family at the age of 29 in 534 BC,<ref name="Banglapedia">{{cite book \|last=Barua \|first=Sukomal \|year=2012 \|chapter=Buddha Purnima \|chapter-url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Buddha_Purnima \|editor1-last=Islam \|editor1-first=Sirajul \|editor1-link=Sirajul Islam \|editor2-last=Jamal \|editor2-first=Ahmed A. \|title=Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh \|edition=Second \|publisher=[[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]] \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508210314/http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Buddha_Purnima \|archive-date=8 May 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2012/04/22/spe03.asp \|title=Spectrum \| Sundayobserver.lk - Sri Lanka \|publisher=Sundayobserver.lk \|date=22 April 2012 \|access-date=2 June 2014 \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013224257/http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2012/04/22/spe03.asp \|archive-date=13 October 2014 }}</ref> and travelled and meditated in search of truth. After practicing self-mortification for six years at Urubela (Buddhagaya) in Gaya, he gave up that practice because it did not give him Vimukthi. Then he discovered Noble Eight-fold path without help from anyone and practiced it, then he attained Buddhatva or enlightenment. Enlightenment is a state of being completely free from lust (raga), hatred (dosa) and delusion (moha). By gaining enlightenment, you enter Nirvana, in which the final stage is Parinirvana.		Traditionally, Buddha was born in 563 BC on the following auspicious Baisakhi purnima. As Siddhartha, he renounced his family at the age of 29 in 534 BC,<ref name="Banglapedia">{{cite book \|last=Barua \|first=Sukomal \|year=2012 \|chapter=Buddha Purnima \|chapter-url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Buddha_Purnima \|editor1-last=Islam \|editor1-first=Sirajul \|editor1-link=Sirajul Islam \|editor2-last=Jamal \|editor2-first=Ahmed A. \|title=Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh \|edition=Second \|publisher=[[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]] \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508210314/http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Buddha_Purnima \|archive-date=8 May 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2012/04/22/spe03.asp \|title=Spectrum \| Sundayobserver.lk - Sri Lanka \|publisher=Sundayobserver.lk \|date=22 April 2012 \|access-date=2 June 2014 \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013224257/http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2012/04/22/spe03.asp \|archive-date=13 October 2014 }}</ref> and travelled and meditated in search of truth. After practicing self-mortification for six years at Urubela (Buddhagaya) in Gaya, he gave up that practice because it did not give him Vimukthi. Then he discovered Noble Eight-fold path without help from anyone and practiced it, then he attained Buddhatva or enlightenment. Enlightenment is a state of being completely free from lust (raga), hatred (dosa) and delusion (moha). By gaining enlightenment, you enter Nirvana, in which the final stage is Parinirvana.

	At this place, the Buddha was abandoned by the five men who had been his companions of earlier austerities. All they saw was an ordinary man; they mocked his well-nourished appearance. "Here comes the mendicant Gautama," they said, "who has turned away from asceticism. He is certainly not worth our respect." When they reminded him of his former vows, the Buddha replied, "Austerities only confuse the mind. In the exhaustion and mental stupor to which they lead, one can no longer understand the ordinary things of life, still less the truth that lies beyond the senses. I have given up extremes of either luxury or asceticism. I have discovered the Middle Way." This is the path which is neither easy (a rich prince) nor hard (living in austere conditions practicing self-denial). Hearing this, the five ascetics became the Buddha's first disciples in Deer Park, [[Sarnath]], 13~~ km n.e.~~ of Benares.{{Citation needed\|date=February 2021}}		At this place, the Buddha was abandoned by the five men who had been his companions of earlier austerities. All they saw was an ordinary man; they mocked his well-nourished appearance. "Here comes the mendicant Gautama," they said, "who has turned away from asceticism. He is certainly not worth our respect." When they reminded him of his former vows, the Buddha replied, "Austerities only confuse the mind. In the exhaustion and mental stupor to which they lead, one can no longer understand the ordinary things of life, still less the truth that lies beyond the senses. I have given up extremes of either luxury or asceticism. I have discovered the Middle Way." This is the path which is neither easy (a rich prince) nor hard (living in austere conditions practicing self-denial). Hearing this, the five ascetics became the Buddha's first disciples in Deer Park, [[Sarnath]], 13 kms north east of Benares.{{Citation needed\|date=February 2021}}

	The disciples of Gautama Siddhartha began to visit the place during the full moon in the month of [[Vesak\|Vaisakh]] (April–May), as per the [[Hindu calendar]]. Over time, the place became known as Bodh Gaya, the day of enlightenment as [[Buddha Purnima]], and the tree as the Bodhi Tree.		The disciples of Gautama Siddhartha began to visit the place during the full moon in the month of [[Vesak\|Vaisakh]] (April–May), as per the [[Hindu calendar]]. Over time, the place became known as Bodh Gaya, the day of enlightenment as [[Buddha Purnima]], and the tree as the Bodhi Tree.
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	The history of Bodh Gaya is documented by many inscriptions and pilgrimage accounts. Foremost among these are the accounts of the [[China\|Chinese]] pilgrims [[Faxian]] in the 5th century and [[Xuanzang]] in the 7th century. The area was at the heart of a Buddhist civilization for centuries, until it was [[Islamic invasion of India\|conquered]] by Turkic armies in the 13th century.		The history of Bodh Gaya is documented by many inscriptions and pilgrimage accounts. Foremost among these are the accounts of the [[China\|Chinese]] pilgrims [[Faxian]] in the 5th century and [[Xuanzang]] in the 7th century. The area was at the heart of a Buddhist civilization for centuries, until it was [[Islamic invasion of India\|conquered]] by Turkic armies in the 13th century.
	The place-name, Bodh Gaya, did not come into use until the 18th century CE. Historically, it was known as Uruvela, Sambodhi ([[File:Sambodhi inscription.jpg\|40px]]Saṃ+[[bodhi]], "Complete Enlightenment" in [[Ashoka]]'s [[Major Rock Edict\|Major Rock Edict No.8]]),<ref>{{cite book \|last1=Juergensmeyer \|first1=Mark \|last2=Roof \|first2=Wade Clark \|title=Encyclopedia of Global Religion \|date=2011 \|publisher=SAGE Publications \|isbn=9781452266565 \|page=148 \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WwJzAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA148 \|language=en}}</ref> Vajrasana (the "[[Diamond Throne]]" of the Buddha) or Mahabodhi ("Great Enlightenment").<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/pilgrim/pg_histbg.htm \|title=A History of Bodh Gaya by Venerable S. Dhammika \|publisher=Buddhanet.net \|access-date=2 June 2014}}</ref> The main monastery of Bodh Gaya used to be called the Bodhimanda-vihāra ([[Pali]]). Now it is called the [[Mahabodhi Temple]].		The place-name, Bodh Gaya, did not come into use until the 18th century CE. Historically, it was known as Uruvela, Sambodhi ([[File:Sambodhi inscription.jpg\|40px]]Saṃ+[[bodhi]], "Complete Enlightenment" in [[Ashoka]]'s [[Major Rock Edict\|Major Rock Edict No.8]]),<ref>{{cite book \|last1=Juergensmeyer \|first1=Mark \|last2=Roof \|first2=Wade Clark \|title=Encyclopedia of Global Religion \|date=2011 \|publisher=SAGE Publications \|isbn=9781452266565 \|page=148 \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WwJzAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA148 \|language=en}}</ref> Vajrasana (the "[[Diamond Throne]]" of the Buddha) or Mahabodhi ("Great Enlightenment").<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/pilgrim/pg_histbg.htm \|title=A History of Bodh Gaya by Venerable S. Dhammika \|publisher=Buddhanet.net \|access-date=2 June 2014}}</ref> The main monastery of Bodh Gaya used to be called the Bodhimanda-vihāra ([[Pali]]). Now it is called the [[Mahabodhi Temple]].

			During the period from the 11th to 13th centuries, Bodh Gaya was under the control of local chieftains known as the [[Pithipatis of Bodh Gaya]] who were responsible for the management of the region. One of their rulers, Acarya Buddhasena, was noted as making a grant to Sri Lankan monks near the Mahabodhi temple.<ref name=Balogh2021>{{cite book \|last1=Balogh \|first1=Daniel \|title=Pithipati Puzzles: Custodians of the Diamond Throne \|date=2021 \|publisher=British Museum Research Publications \|pages=40–58 \|isbn=9780861592289 \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Lk0NzgEACAAJ}}</ref>

	==Mahabodhi Temple==		==Mahabodhi Temple==
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	{{Portal\|India}}		{{Portal\|India}}
	* [[Cetiya]]		* [[Cetiya]]
			* [[Bodhgaya inscription of Mahanaman]]
	* [[Sri Maha Bodhi]]		* [[Sri Maha Bodhi]]
	* [[Lumbini]]		* [[Lumbini]]
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	* [[Rajgir]]		* [[Rajgir]]
	* [[Bakraur]]		* [[Bakraur]]
	* [[Adi Badri (Haryana)]]
	* [[Kurkihar hoard]]		* [[Kurkihar hoard]]
	* [[Magadh University]]		* [[Magadh University]]

2405:205:1103:3097:0:0:13E:D8B1 at 08:37, 5 July 2021

2021-07-05T08:37:35Z

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{{EngvarB|date=May 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Bodh Gaya
| native_name_lang =
| other_name = Bōdh Gayā 
| settlement_type = Town
| image_skyline = Great Buddha Statue, Bodh Gaya.jpg
| image_alt =
| image_caption = [[Great Buddha (Bodh Gaya)|Great Buddha Statue]]
| nickname =
| map_alt =
| pushpin_map = India Bihar#India
| pushpin_relief = yes
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption =
| coordinates = {{coord|24.695102|N|84.991275|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = State
| subdivision_name1 = [[Bihar]]
| subdivision_type2 = District
| subdivision_name2 = [[Gaya district|Gaya]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type =
| governing_body =
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes = (2015) {{refn|group=A|name=|Constituents of Bodh Gaya Plannina area are Bodh Gaya [[Nagar Panchayat]], 32 villages in Bodh Gaya [[Community development|CD]] block and 3 villages in [[Gaya, India|Gaya]] CD block of Gaya district.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://urban.bih.nic.in/News/NE-02-15-04-2015.pdf | title=पत्रांक-213 : ''राजगीर क्षेत्रीय आयोजना क्षेत्र'' एवं बोधगया आयोजना क्षेत्र'' के सीमांकन एवं घोषणा | publisher=Urban Development Housing Dept., Government of Bihar, Patna | date=15 April 2015 | access-date=18 June 2015 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150618174436/http://urban.bih.nic.in/News/NE-02-15-04-2015.pdf | archive-date=18 June 2015 | df=dmy-all }}</ref>}}
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m =
| area_blank1_title = City
| area_blank1_sq_mi =
| area_blank1_km2 = 20.2
| area_blank2_title = [[Regional planning]]
| area_blank2_sq_mi =
| area_blank2_km2 = 83.78
| population_total = 48,184
| population_as_of = 2018
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym =
| population_note =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Hindi]]
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 824231
| registration_plate = BR-02
| website =
| footnotes = {{reflist|group=A}}
}}
'''Bodh Gaya''' is a religious site and place of pilgrimage associated with the [[Mahabodhi Temple]] Complex in [[Gaya district]] in the [[India]]n [[States and union territories of India|state]] of [[Bihar]]. It is famous as it is the place where [[Gautama Buddha]] is said to have attained [[Enlightenment (Buddhism)|Enlightenment]] ({{lang-pi|bodhi|pi-Latn}}) under what became known as the [[Bodhi Tree]].<ref name=Madan>{{cite book|title=India through the ages|last=Gopal|first=Madan|year= 1991| page= 176|editor=K.S. Gautam|publisher=Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India}}</ref> Since antiquity, Bodh Gaya has remained the object of pilgrimage and veneration both for Hindus and Buddhists.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Kinnard|first=Jacob|title=When Is The Buddha Not the Buddha? The Hindu/Buddhist Battle over Bodhgayā and Its Buddha Image|journal=Journal of the American Academy of Religion|pages=817|issn=0002-7189}}</ref>

For Buddhists, Bodh Gaya is the most important of the main four pilgrimage sites related to the life of Gautama Buddha,<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Buddhist Pilgrimage|url=http://www.vam.ac.uk/page/b/buddhist-pilgrimage/|journal=Asia}}</ref> the other three being [[Kushinagar]], [[Lumbini]], and [[Sarnath]]. In 2002, Mahabodhi Temple, located in Bodh Gaya, became a [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]].<ref name="unesco">{{cite web
|url = https://whc.unesco.org/archive/2002/whc-02-conf202-25e.pdf#decision.23.15
|format = PDF
|title = Decisions adopted by the 26th Session of the World Heritage Committee
|publisher = [[World Heritage Site|World Heritage Committee]]
|page = 62
|access-date = 10 July 2006
|url-status = live
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150228043819/https://whc.unesco.org/archive/2002/whc-02-conf202-25e.pdf#decision.23.15
|archive-date = 28 February 2015
}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Bodhi Tree Distant View - panoramio.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Bodhi Tree]] under which [[Gautama Buddha]] is said to have obtained [[Enlightenment (Buddhism)|Enlightenment]]]]
{{BuddhasHolySites}}

Bodh Gaya is considered to be the holiest site in Buddhism.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/buddhistworld/bodgaya.htm|title=Holy Sites of Buddhism: Bodh Gaya - Place of Enlightenment|website=buddhanet.net|access-date=14 December 2019}}</ref> Known as Uruwela in the Buddha's time, it is situated by the bank of [[Lilajan River]]. The first temple at the site was built by King [[Ashoka]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1056/|title=Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya|publisher=UNESCO World Heritage Centre|language=en|access-date=14 December 2019}}</ref>

Traditionally, Buddha was born in 563 BC on the following auspicious Baisakhi purnima. As Siddhartha, he renounced his family at the age of 29 in 534 BC,<ref name="Banglapedia">{{cite book |last=Barua |first=Sukomal |year=2012 |chapter=Buddha Purnima |chapter-url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Buddha_Purnima |editor1-last=Islam |editor1-first=Sirajul |editor1-link=Sirajul Islam |editor2-last=Jamal |editor2-first=Ahmed A. |title=Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh |edition=Second |publisher=[[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508210314/http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Buddha_Purnima |archive-date=8 May 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2012/04/22/spe03.asp |title=Spectrum | Sundayobserver.lk - Sri Lanka |publisher=Sundayobserver.lk |date=22 April 2012 |access-date=2 June 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013224257/http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2012/04/22/spe03.asp |archive-date=13 October 2014 }}</ref> and travelled and meditated in search of truth. After practicing self-mortification for six years at Urubela (Buddhagaya) in Gaya, he gave up that practice because it did not give him Vimukthi. Then he discovered Noble Eight-fold path without help from anyone and practiced it, then he attained Buddhatva or enlightenment. Enlightenment is a state of being completely free from lust (raga), hatred (dosa) and delusion (moha). By gaining enlightenment, you enter Nirvana, in which the final stage is Parinirvana.

At this place, the Buddha was abandoned by the five men who had been his companions of earlier austerities. All they saw was an ordinary man; they mocked his well-nourished appearance. "Here comes the mendicant Gautama," they said, "who has turned away from asceticism. He is certainly not worth our respect." When they reminded him of his former vows, the Buddha replied, "Austerities only confuse the mind. In the exhaustion and mental stupor to which they lead, one can no longer understand the ordinary things of life, still less the truth that lies beyond the senses. I have given up extremes of either luxury or asceticism. I have discovered the Middle Way." This is the path which is neither easy (a rich prince) nor hard (living in austere conditions practicing self-denial). Hearing this, the five ascetics became the Buddha's first disciples in Deer Park, [[Sarnath]], 13 km n.e. of Benares.{{Citation needed|date=February 2021}}

The disciples of Gautama Siddhartha began to visit the place during the full moon in the month of [[Vesak|Vaisakh]] (April–May), as per the [[Hindu calendar]]. Over time, the place became known as Bodh Gaya, the day of enlightenment as [[Buddha Purnima]], and the tree as the Bodhi Tree.

The history of Bodh Gaya is documented by many inscriptions and pilgrimage accounts. Foremost among these are the accounts of the [[China|Chinese]] pilgrims [[Faxian]] in the 5th century and [[Xuanzang]] in the 7th century. The area was at the heart of a Buddhist civilization for centuries, until it was [[Islamic invasion of India|conquered]] by Turkic armies in the 13th century.
The place-name, Bodh Gaya, did not come into use until the 18th century CE. Historically, it was known as Uruvela, Sambodhi ([[File:Sambodhi inscription.jpg|40px]]Saṃ+[[bodhi]], "Complete Enlightenment" in [[Ashoka]]'s [[Major Rock Edict|Major Rock Edict No.8]]),<ref>{{cite book |last1=Juergensmeyer |first1=Mark |last2=Roof |first2=Wade Clark |title=Encyclopedia of Global Religion |date=2011 |publisher=SAGE Publications |isbn=9781452266565 |page=148 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WwJzAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA148 |language=en}}</ref> Vajrasana (the "[[Diamond Throne]]" of the Buddha) or Mahabodhi ("Great Enlightenment").<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/pilgrim/pg_histbg.htm |title=A History of Bodh Gaya by Venerable S. Dhammika |publisher=Buddhanet.net |access-date=2 June 2014}}</ref> The main monastery of Bodh Gaya used to be called the Bodhimanda-vihāra ([[Pali]]). Now it is called the [[Mahabodhi Temple]].

==Mahabodhi Temple==
{{Main|Mahabodhi Temple}}
[[File:Mahabodhitemple.jpg|thumb|Mahabodhi temple, built under the [[Gupta Empire]], 6th century CE.]]
The complex, located about 110 kilometres from [[Patna, India|Patna]], at {{Coord|24|41|43|N|84|59|38|E|}},<ref name="nomination">{{cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/p_dynamic/sites/passfile.cfm?filename=1056rev&filetype=pdf&category=nominations |format=PDF |title=Information Dossier for nomination of Mahabodhi Temple Complex, Bodhgaya as a World Heritage Site |publisher=[[Government of India]] |page=4 |access-date=10 July 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090210120530/https://whc.unesco.org/p_dynamic/sites/passfile.cfm?filename=1056rev&filetype=pdf&category=nominations |archive-date=10 February 2009 }}</ref>
contains the Mahabodhi Temple with the [[Vajrasana, Bodh Gaya|Vajrasana]] or "diamond throne" and the holy [[Bodhi tree]]. This tree was originally a sapling of the [[Sri Maha Bodhi]] tree in [[Sri Lanka]], itself grown from a what is claimed to be a sapling of the original Bodhi tree.

In approximately 250 BCE, about 200 years after the Buddha attained Enlightenment, Emperor [[Asoka]] visited Bodh Gaya in order to establish a monastery and shrine on the holy site.<ref name=unesco/>

Representations of this early temple are found at [[Sanchi]], on the toraṇas of Stūpa I, dating from around 25 BCE, and on a relief carving from the stupa railing at [[Bharhut|Bhārhut]], from the early [[Shunga Empire|Shunga]] period (c. 185–c. 73 BCE).<ref>"[https://huntingtonarchive.org/resources/downloads/jchArticles/Part%201.pdf Sowing the Seeds of the Lotus: A Journey to the Great Pilgrimage Sites of Buddhism, Part I]" by John C. Huntington. ''Orientations'', November 1985 pg 61</ref>

==Other Buddhist temples==
[[File:Buddhist Man Meditating.jpg|thumb|Buddhist monks meditating in Bodh Gaya]]
Kittisirimegha of [[Sri Lanka]], a contemporary of [[Samudragupta]], erected with the permission of Samudragupta, a [[monastery|Sanghārāma]] near the Mahabodhi Temple, chiefly for the use of the Singhalese monks who went to worship the Bodhi tree. The circumstances in connection with the Sanghārāma are given by [[Xuanzang]] ([[Samuel Beal|Beal]], op. cit., 133ff) who gives a description of it as seen by himself. It was probably here that [[Buddhaghosa]] met the Elder Revata who persuaded him to come to Ceylon.

Several Buddhist temples and monasteries have been built by the people of [[Bhutan]], [[Mongolia]], [[China]], [[Japan]], [[Korea]], [[Cambodia]], [[Laos]], [[Myanmar]], [[Nepal]], [[Sikkim]], [[Sri Lanka]], [[Taiwan]], [[Thailand]], [[Tibet]] and [[Vietnam]] in a wide area around the Mahabodhi Temple. These buildings reflect the architectural style, exterior and interior decoration of their respective countries. The statue of Buddha in the Chinese temple is 200 years old and was brought from China. Japan's Nippon temple is shaped like a pagoda. The Myanmar (Burmese) temple is also [[pagoda]] shaped and is reminiscent of [[Bagan]]. The Thai temple has a typical sloping, curved roof covered with golden tiles. Inside, the temple holds a massive bronze statue of Buddha. Next to the Thai temple is 25-metre statue of Buddha located within a garden which has existed there for over 100 years.

;Sujata Stupa
Across the [[Phalgu]] river is the [[Sujata Stupa]], in the village of [[Bakraur]]. The stupa was dedicated to the [[milkmaid]] [[Sujata (milkmaid)|Sujata]], who is said to have fed [[Gautama Buddha]] milk and [[rice]] as he was sitting under a [[Banyan tree]], ending his seven years of fasting and [[asceticism]], and allowing him to attain illumination through the [[Middle Way]].<ref name=prasoon07>{{cite book |last1=Prasoon|first1=Shrikant |title=Knowing Buddha : [life and teachings] |date=2007 |publisher=Hindoology Books|location=[Delhi] |isbn=9788122309638 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Us9wbjmvXfgC&pg=PT32}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | last1=Blasi |first1=Abigail |title=Lonely Planet India |date=2017 |publisher=Lonely Planet |isbn=9781787011991 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yLU7DwAAQBAJ&pg=PT1251 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=dwivedi06>{{cite book |last1=Dwivedi |first1=Sunita |last2=Lama |first2=Dalai (foreword) |author-link2=14th Dalai Lama |title=Buddhist heritage sites of India|date=2006 |publisher=Rupa & Co. |location=New Delhi |isbn=8129107384}}</ref> The stupa was built in the 2nd century BCE as confirmed by finds of black polished wares and [[punch-marked coins]] in the attending monastery.<ref name=DGS>{{cite book |last1=Geary |first1=David |last2=Sayers |first2=Matthew R. |last3=Amar |first3=Abhishek Singh |title=Cross-disciplinary Perspectives on a Contested Buddhist Site: Bodh Gaya Jataka |date=2012 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=9781136320675 |pages=35–36 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=f56437oiblUC&pg=PA35|language=en}}</ref>

==The Great Buddha Statue==
{{main|Great Buddha (Bodh Gaya)}}

The Great Buddha Statue also known as 80 feet statue is in Bodhgaya. The unveiling and consecration of the Great Buddha Statue took place on 18 November 1989. The consecration ceremony was attended by the 14th Dalai Lama, who blessed the 25-meter statue, the first great Buddha ever built in the history of India. The Statue is now a symbol of the holy place Bodhgaya, next to Mahabodhi Temple which is a World Heritage site, and enjoys constant visits of pilgrims from all over the world. Among local people, it is nicknamed "the 80-foot (25-meter) Buddha Statue."

Under the slogan "Spread Buddha's rays to the Whole World," Daijokyo spent seven years on construction of the Great Buddha Statue, mobilizing 120,000 masons in total.

==Mahabodhi Temple bombings==
{{See also|Bodh Gaya bombings}}
[[File:Pipal tree temple of Bodh Gaya depicted in Sanchi Stupa 1 Eastern Gateway.jpg|thumb|left|Illustration of the temple built by [[Asoka]] at Bodh-Gaya around the Bodhi tree. Sculpture of the [[Satavahana]] period at [[Sanchi]], 1st century CE.]]
On 7 July 2013, at around 05:15, a low intensity [[2013 Bodh Gaya blasts|bomb blast]] took place in the 2500-year-old Mahabodhi Temple complex. This was followed by a series of nine low intensity blasts which resulted in two monks being injured; one was Tibetan and the other Burmese. These blasts were carried out by an Islamic terrorist organization called [[Indian Mujahideen]].<ref name=":0">{{cite news|last=Tiwari|first=Deeptiman|title=Ranchi document helps NIA crack Bodh Gaya blast case|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Ranchi-document-helps-NIA-crack-Bodh-Gaya-blast-case/articleshow/25281931.cms?|access-date=6 November 2013|newspaper=The Times of India|date=6 November 2013}}</ref><ref name="Patna terror cell">{{cite news|last=Gaikwad|first=Rahi|title=Patna terror cell behind Bodh Gaya strike too: NIA|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/patna-terror-cell-behind-bodh-gaya-strike-too-nia/article5322815.ece|access-date=7 November 2013|newspaper=The Hindu|date=7 November 2013|author2=Yadav Anumeha|author3=Pandey Devesh|location=Patna, Ranchi, New Delhi}}</ref> Two other bombs, one under the 80-foot statue of the Buddha and the other near Karmapa Temple were defused by the police.<ref>{{cite news|title=Serial Blasts rock Mahabodhi temple in Bodha gaya: terror attack, Center says|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/serial-blasts-rock-mahabodhi-temple-in-bodh-gaya-terror-attack-centre-says/articleshow/20952763.cms|access-date=7 July 2013|newspaper=The Times of India|date=7 July 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130709201724/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Serial-blasts-rock-Mahabodhi-Temple-in-Bodh-Gaya-terror-attack-Centre-says/articleshow/20952763.cms|archive-date=9 July 2013}}</ref><ref name=blast>{{cite news|title=Nine blasts in Bodh Gaya, 2 injured|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/nine-blasts-in-bodh-gaya-2-injured/article4891094.ece|access-date=7 July 2013|newspaper=The Hindu|date=7 July 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130710180959/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/nine-blasts-in-bodh-gaya-2-injured/article4891094.ece|archive-date=10 July 2013}}</ref>

On 1 June 2018, a special [[National Investigation Agency]] (NIA) court of [[Patna]] sentenced five suspects in the case to life imprisonment.<ref>{{cite news |title=Five sentenced to life imprisonment in Bodh Gaya serial blasts case |url=https://headlinestoday.org/national/bihar/735/five-sentenced-to-life-imprisonment-in-bodh-gaya-serial-blasts-case/ |access-date=2 June 2018 |agency=Headlines Today |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180806114437/https://headlinestoday.org/national/bihar/735/five-sentenced-to-life-imprisonment-in-bodh-gaya-serial-blasts-case/ |archive-date=6 August 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Demographics==
As per the [[2001 Census of India|2001 census]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-date=16 June 2004|title= Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)|access-date=1 November 2008|publisher= Census Commission of India}}</ref> Bodh Gaya had a population of 30,883. Males constitute 54% of the population and females 46%. Bodh Gaya has an average literacy rate of 51%, lower than the national average of 59.5%; with male literacy of 63% and female literacy of 38%. 8% of the population is under 6 years of age.

==Transportation==
{{Buddhist_pilgrimage_sites_in_India.svg}}
* Buses have been introduced by the [[BSTDC]] between [[Patna]] and Bodh Gaya via [[Rajgir]].<ref>{{cite web|title=BSTDC halts AC Bus Services to Bodhgaya devoid of Passengers|url=http://news.biharprabha.com/2013/08/bstdc-halts-ac-bus-services-for-bodhgaya-devoid-of-passengers/|access-date=31 August 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130809172703/http://news.biharprabha.com/2013/08/bstdc-halts-ac-bus-services-for-bodhgaya-devoid-of-passengers/|archive-date=9 August 2013}}</ref>
*A special caravan service called Wonder on Wheel, between Patna and Bodh Gaya, has been introduced by the Bihar Tourism Department.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bihar launches Tourist Caravan Service called Wonder on Wheel|url=http://news.biharprabha.com/2013/04/bihar-launches-tourist-caravan-called-wonder-on-wheel/|work=The Biharprabha News|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501071627/http://news.biharprabha.com/2013/04/bihar-launches-tourist-caravan-called-wonder-on-wheel/|archive-date=1 May 2013}}</ref>
*[[Gaya Airport]] is situated {{convert|7|km|mi|sigfig=1}} from Bodh Gaya and approximately {{convert|10|km|mi|sigfig=1}} from [[Gaya Junction railway station]].
*Bodhgaya has restricted the use of [[auto rickshaw]]s, cars and buses to make the pilgrimage site more peaceful. A permit is required for the use of cars and buses, and the only taxi available is an [[electric rickshaw]] that is mostly noiseless.

==See also==
{{Portal|India}}
* [[Cetiya]]
* [[Sri Maha Bodhi]]
* [[Lumbini]]
* [[Sarnath]]
* [[Kusinagar]]
* [[Rajgir]]
* [[Bakraur]]
* [[Adi Badri (Haryana)]]
* [[Kurkihar hoard]]
* [[Magadh University]]
* [[Indian Institute of Management Bodh Gaya]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
*Kinnard, Jacob N. (1998). When Is The Buddha Not the Buddha? The Hindu/Buddhist Battle over Bodhgayā and Its Buddha Image. Journal of the American Academy of Religion 66 (4), 817-839
*Geary, David; Sayers, Matthew R; Amar, Abhishek Singh (2012). [https://books.google.de/books?hl=de&lr=&id=U0_gCgAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=Mahabodhi+Society&ots=kFt6P3c1DP&sig=GKJcZ4GvCbsO1kwKxNMCkSfs6n4#v=onepage&q=Mahabodhi%20Society&f=false Cross-disciplinary perspectives on a contested Buddhist site: Bodh Gaya jataka]. London, New York: Routledge

==External links==
{{Commons category|Bodh Gaya}}
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{wikivoyage-inline|Bodh Gaya}}
* [http://www.buddhanet.net/bodh_gaya/menu.htm Detailed history of Bodhgaya] by Ven. S. Dhammika.
* [http://bstdc.bih.nic.in/bodhgaya.htm Bihar state tourism development corporation (BSTDC)]
* [https://www.tripadvisor.in/Attractions-g424922-Activities-Bodh_Gaya_Gaya_District_Bihar.html Places to Visit in Bodh Gaya]
*[http://www.thezensite.com/BuddhistPhotos/BodhGaya.htm Photos of Mahabodhi Temple & Bodhgaya]
{{RBK|31|Bodhgaya}}{{dead link|date=December 2020}}
*[http://www.gayatobodhgaya.com/map.html Bodhgaya Map]

{{Buddhism topics}}
{{Gautama Buddha}}
{{Magadh Division}}
{{Tourist sites in Bihar}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Bodh Gaya| ]]
[[Category:Articles containing potentially dated statements from 2001]]
[[Category:Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Bihar]]
[[Category:Buddhist sites in Bihar]]
[[Category:Hindu pilgrimage sites in India]]
[[Category:Hindu holy cities]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Gaya district]]
[[Category:Religious tourism in India]]