Day 276 of facts of pride about India giving smiles – Golden Pagoda Centre for Vipassana Meditation technique as taught by Lord Buddha.
The fact is that India is a storehouse of immense ancient spiritual treasures. Lord Buddha attained enlightenment here and gave his disciples a unique technique for self-realization. This amazing meditation technique was passed on by his disciples to generations around many countries, but it was preserved in its original form only at Burma.
Luckily for Indians, one staunch devotee called Mr. Goenka learnt this original self-realization technique called Vipassana Meditation in Burma and after 2500 years was instrumental in bringing this spiritual treasure back to India. Now we Indians have spread the wonderful teachings of our Lord Buddha by opening Vipassana Meditation Centres all around the world!
So it was a pleasure to visit the Golden Pagoda Vipassana Meditation Centre in a suburb off Mumbai. Aftre a long drive in the scorching sun, the first sight of the almost 30 storied high golden dome rising from the earth is enough to still the senses. We drive through the decorative entrance arch and stop in awe at the main gate. The beauty of the ornate golden coloured carved designs become visible at every corner, and we stare in wonder.
This Monument of peace and harmony is a tribute to the Buddhist teachings. The design is a copy of a golden pagoda at Burma and is also an expression of gratitude to that country for preserving this meditation technique in its original form. The art gallery with its 122 big paintings depicts the life of Buddha in an easily understandable manner. The video gallery explains the story behind the construction of this monument. The huge bell, the huge gong, the elephants and other statues around the place were impressive, yet had a calming effect on the visitors..
We couldn’t enter the huge meditation hall in the main pagoda as we had not yet done the main 10 day course, yet we could see this largest pillarless stone dome from the viewing gallery. The lotus design on the roof of the hall was privy to a sacred relic of the Buddha, donated from Sri Lanka.
Next to the large domed pagoda were two smaller pagodas and we get to experience a 10 minute meditation session there. We also walk around the huge campus, seeing the sacred Bodhisatva plant, the Ashoka pillar tribute and the marble statute of Buddha.
It was day spent in peace with ourselves, though the heat of the summer sun got difficult to bear at times. After we enjoyed the view from the top of the hill, we came down the steps and rang the bell loudly in the belief that we would return to this place.
The day I decide that I can sit quietly for 10 full days is the day I will do this course that I have heard so much about…the beauty is that it is conducted absolutely free for everyone and the whole centre runs only on voluntary donations!
It was a day well spent in the company of my aged parents. There is so much of spiritual enlightenment that India can give to the world…blessed to belong to our wonderful country
So which fact about India gave you a smile today?
Please share your experience of facts about India that made you smile.
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