Sanchi - a wonderful Buddhist site

A good part of the history of India, and several of its neighbouring countries,such as Sri Lanka, Tibet and Myanmar, is inter-twined with the life and teachings of the Buddha. Fortunately, India has many places that are closely associated with the Buddha, both where he delivered his sermons and where some relics of the Buddha are enshrined in a "stupa", or a massive reliquery. One of the finest such "stupa" is located at Sanchi, which close to the city of Bhpoal in Madhya Pradesh. Besides its religious sanctity, Sanchi has some of the finest sculptual work, dating back to the 2nd century BCE.

This picture shows a a "torana"or a gateway to the stupa that has excellent carvings on it, some showing events from the life of the Buddha.

The details of this gateway show the large royal retinue that came to visit the Buddha and receive his blessings.

Walking around the stupa and enjoying the sculptures so finely made, one comes upon this statue of the Buddha deep in his meditations. It is a time to pause and think for a while on the teachings of the Buddha.