The Navel of the Earth

The History and Significance of Bodh Gaya

By:  S. Dhammika

The town of Bodh Gaya in the north Indian state of Bihar is the site of the Buddha's enlightenment and the most sacred place in the Buddhist world. For over 2000 years pilgrims have made their way to Bodh Gaya from every corner of Asia, often leaving records of their visit in inscriptions, memoirs, travelogues and even graffiti. Using these and other sources the book chronicles the place's long and fascinating history. It recounts the magnificent ceremonies that once took place there, the saints and scholars associated with it and the various legends that grew up around it. Including previously overlooked information it also challenges the popular belief that Bodh Gaya was destroyed at the end on the 12th century and was forgotten and unvisited by Buddhist pilgrims for the next 700 years. This book should prove to be of interest to Indologists and social historians as well as to Buddhists.

Bhante S. Dhammika was born in Australia and was ordained as a monk in India in 1976. Since then he has lived and taught Buddhism in Sri Lanka and Singapore and now resides in Australia. Amongst his many books are those published by the Buddhist Publication Society including Matrceta's Hymn to the Buddha, The Edicts of King Asoka, Middle Land Middle Way, The Buddha and His Disciples and Nature and the Environment in Early Buddhism.

Note: This item was included in the 2nd mailing, 2018.