Travels to Buddhist sites in India and Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan BuddhismTravels in Sri Lanka, the Holy Land of Buddhism

(30) A brief explanation of what kind of Buddhism is Theravada Buddhism in Sri Lanka - a few words on the differences with Japanese Buddhism

Sri Lankans have their own context, just as Japanese people have their own context. And the differences in context will always affect the differences in religion and culture.

In this article, I will take a break from my travelogue and talk about the kind of Buddhism in Sri Lanka to begin with. It is very interesting to consider the differences between Sri Lanka and Japan.
Travels in Sri Lanka, the Holy Land of Buddhism

(29) Why I could not be moved by the holy places and Buddhist sites in Sri Lanka - thinking about religion and "life context".

Why did I become so numb in Sri Lanka?"

This was actually directly related to the question, "What is religion for me?

It would fully reveal itself to me later when I visited the "Sree Maha Bodhi Tree," the holiest of the holy places in Anuradhapura.

I will talk about my "religious numbness" through this Bodhi Tree in this article. This is not only my problem. It is an unavoidable problem for human beings.
AnuradhapuraTravels in Sri Lanka, the Holy Land of Buddhism

(28) Anuradhapura, the ancient capital of Sri Lanka - Visit to the holy place of Theravada Buddhism where the Bodhi tree from Bodh Gaya stands

The day after immersing myself in the mythical world of Mihintale, I finally headed to Anuradhapura, the holiest of the holy places of Sri Lankan Buddhism. Anuradhapura is an ancient capital that flourished as the royal capital of Sri Lanka from around the 5th century BC to the 11th century AD.

Although I had visited such a sacred place, a certain uneasiness began to well up within me.
MihintalayTravels in Sri Lanka, the Holy Land of Buddhism

(27) Visit Mihintale, the sacred place where Buddhism was introduced in Sri Lanka - A mythical world worthy of the name of a sacred place!

The holy city of Mihintale is believed to be the place where Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka. A rocky mountain stands alone in the jungle spreading out before your eyes. I was impressed by the presence of this rock! I was also impressed by this view. What a mythical world! There is no other place where the mythical scene of the beginning of Buddhism in Sri Lanka fits so well! Personally, this is one of the best spots in Sri Lanka.
Sasserwa Buddha, Aukana BuddhaTravels in Sri Lanka, the Holy Land of Buddhism

(26) Sasserwa Giant Buddha and Awkana Giant Buddha - Visit the masterpieces of Sri Lanka's Giant Buddha that few people know about and visit them in the mountains.

I am now heading for the Sasserwa and Awkana Buddhas, masterpieces of Sri Lanka's Buddhist art known to those in the know.

These large Buddhas are located in the jungle, far from major sacred sites such as Mihintale and Anuradhapura, and are rarely seen by the average tourist. However, I was eager to see the Buddhist art of Sri Lanka with my own eyes.
Sri LankaTravels in Sri Lanka, the Holy Land of Buddhism

(25) How is the climate in Sri Lanka? I thought about the relationship between climate and religion. A word about Japanese Buddhism as well.

In this article we will talk about the climate in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka, a tropical tropical country, has two main climatic zones. The wet zone with high rainfall and the dry zone with low rainfall exist in this small island nation, and this has greatly influenced Sri Lanka's history. And the relationship between this climate and religion will also be considered in this article.
Sri LankaTravels in Sri Lanka, the Holy Land of Buddhism

(24) When it was time to go to the Buddhist country of Sri Lanka, I spent three weeks touring the sacred sites of Buddhism! Days when I felt the difference from Japanese Buddhism

My trip to India, which began at the end of October, has come to a successful conclusion. After visiting Khajuraho, Saanchi, Mumbai, Ajanta, and Ellora, I headed to my next destination, Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka is of great significance to me in considering "my own Buddhism". Please look forward to my future articles.
adjantaSecond Expedition to India - Visit to the ruins in south-central India

(23) Enjoy the masterpieces of Indian Buddhist painting at the Ajanta Grottoes! Visit amazing Buddhist sites that have been forgotten for a thousand years

Sculpture by Elora. The painting is Ajanta. That's it.

For a taste of the best of Indian Buddhist art, I highly recommend seeing these two together as a set.

Ajanta was also a truly wonderful place. I will never forget the fingertips of that lotus hand bodhisattva. That ultimate point where the fingertips touch each other...! That was a miracle. It was a miracle without a doubt.
Elora.Second Expedition to India - Visit to the ruins in south-central India

(22) The Kailasanatha Temple in Ellora is astonishing! What is the amazing sculpture architecture that took 100 years to carve out of the rocky mountain?

Here in Ellora, the difference between the Buddhist and Hindu views of the world and of human beings can be felt as much as this.

The Kailasanatha Temple is truly an explosion of energy. You can feel the energy of Hinduism, the enormous mass of it, all over your body when you come here.

There is no doubt that the Ellora Caves here are among the best in India.
Elora.Second Expedition to India - Visit to the ruins in south-central India

(21) The Buddha image at Ellora Cave Temple was so shocking that it electrified my whole body! I highly recommend this as one of the best spots in India!

Buddhist Grottoes of Ellora Cave 10.

The moment I entered the hall, I felt a chirping sound! It really happened! It is often said that an electric current runs through your body, and that is exactly what happened.

I will never forget the impact it had on me. I have encountered many different monuments and works of art, but this is without a doubt the pinnacle of them all.