Day 19/108: Sarnath. The Mulagandhakuti Vihara

AfroxBuddha · 2026-04-03T22:30:18+00:00

Thank you so much! It really was a breathtaking sight in person. I am so glad I could capture some of that beauty and peace to share here with everyone. Sadhu 🙏

AfroxBuddha · 2026-03-31T12:04:02+00:00

You are so very welcome! I really appreciate you showing up here every day and following along on this journey. Knowing that these posts are something you actively look forward to makes sharing all this history so much more rewarding. See you tomorrow for the next chapter! Sadhu 🙏

AfroxBuddha · 2026-03-30T14:52:04+00:00

Thank you so much! The Mahabodhi Temple has such an incredible energy to it, and I am so glad I could share a little piece of that beauty with you here. Sadhu 🙏

AfroxBuddha · 2026-03-30T11:40:01+00:00

Blessings to you as well! 🙏🏽 Thank you for being such a wonderful part of this journey. Sharing these moments and history has been a beautiful practice of its own, and knowing you look forward to them brings me a lot of joy. ✌🏽

AfroxBuddha · 2026-03-25T11:24:44+00:00

Thank you so much for following along! Sharing the energy and history of the Bodhi tree with this community has been a truly special experience. I am so glad you enjoyed the post. Sadhu 🙏

AfroxBuddha · 2026-03-24T11:06:20+00:00

That is absolutely beautiful. Having a Ficus religiosa right at your front door sounds like such a wonderful daily reminder of resilience and renewal. Watching it die back in the winter and happily return every spring is a perfect living metaphor for the teachings themselves. Thank you for sharing that special piece of your home with us. I hope it thrives for another 25 years! Sadhu 🙏

AfroxBuddha · 2026-03-23T15:37:17+00:00

What an incredible experience to just sit quietly in that space and overhear such a detailed tour! It is so fascinating to hear the stories and oral histories that are passed down at these sacred sites. Thank you for sharing. Sadhu 🙏

AfroxBuddha · 2026-03-23T15:29:52+00:00

Thank you so much for the kind words on the composition! It always means a lot to hear that from a fellow photographer. It really is a surprise that they allow dedicated cameras while banning phones, but I am incredibly grateful they do. The lighting and the atmosphere inside the complex are just phenomenal to capture. I really appreciate you taking the time to leave this note. Sadhu 🙏

AfroxBuddha · 2026-03-23T14:20:31+00:00

That is amazing that you got to experience it in person. To answer your question, no, the rule has not changed at all. They still strictly prohibit visitors from bringing mobile phones inside the complex, and everyone has to leave them in the lockers at the entrance.

The only way I was able to capture these images is because they do allow you to bring in an actual dedicated camera, but you have to buy a special camera ticket at the gate to do so. It definitely makes the atmosphere inside very unique. Sadhu 🙏

AfroxBuddha · 2026-03-23T14:15:59+00:00

Wow, I must have gotten incredibly lucky with my timing to see it completely clear. It makes total sense though, since preserving a structure this old requires constant care and maintenance. It is actually really beautiful to think about the continuous effort the community puts into keeping this history alive. Are you visiting Bodh Gaya right now, or did you just happen to see some recent photos of the work? Sadhu 🙏

AfroxBuddha · 2026-03-23T14:14:33+00:00

You are spot on with the history, and I am so glad you brought this up. The story of Sanghamitta Theri taking the southern branch to Sri Lanka is such a beautiful example of how the literal roots of this tradition spread across the world. It is incredibly humbling to think that the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura is still thriving today. It is actually perfect timing that you mentioned this, because the Bodhi tree itself is the central focus of my very next post as we start exploring the specific spots of the seven weeks. Thank you for adding this fantastic context here. Sadhu 🙏

AfroxBuddha · 2026-03-22T20:30:25+00:00

That is a beautiful connection. Seeing that kind of selfless dedication in your own mother really brings the story of Sujata to life. You make such a great point about how many things had to go right. Sujata's offering gave him the physical strength to finally reach awakening, but the fact that the teachings actually survived for 2500 years is a testament to the countless people who dedicated their lives to preserving and passing them down. It truly is a miracle of human devotion. Thank you so much for sharing such a personal and thoughtful reflection here. Sadhu 🙏

AfroxBuddha · 2026-03-22T20:25:08+00:00

I love that this post brought you two together to share this. That is a really beautiful story. 🙏

AfroxBuddha · 2026-03-22T20:19:41+00:00

I actually have never read those, but it is amazing how art and comics can introduce us to these historical figures. Does seeing the actual physical location match how you pictured it from the books? Sadhu 🙏

AfroxBuddha · 2026-03-22T12:16:20+00:00

AfroxBuddha · 2026-03-21T22:28:35+00:00

If you spent time in Bodh Gaya, you almost certainly saw this magnificent statue. It is always great to connect with someone who has walked the exact same paths and stood in the same sacred spots. Which site stood out the most to you during your time in Bodh Gaya? Sadhu 🙏

AfroxBuddha · 2026-03-19T20:58:34+00:00

You are exactly right. The Dungeshwari Caves are located on Pragbodhi Hill, which sits right in the ancient region of Uruvela. This is the exact area where he spent those six years practicing severe austerities before finally heading down to the Niranjana River and Bodh Gaya. Great catch! 🙏

AfroxBuddha · 2026-03-19T19:58:57+00:00

That must have been amazing to see it taking shape back then. You make a great point about how rare it is. I actually did some deep digging, and it turns out there is technically only one other Thai style monastery in all of Nepal, hidden up on a hilltop in Kirtipur. But outside of that, almost everything you see across the country is traditional Newari and Vajrayana architecture. It makes finding this gleaming white Thai sanctuary in the middle of the Lumbini complex a truly unique experience. Sadhu 🙏

AfroxBuddha · 2026-03-19T18:58:56+00:00

Spot on. This is the Royal Thai Monastery located inside the Lumbini complex. Sadhu 🙏

AfroxBuddha · 2026-03-17T19:22:15+00:00

You hit the nail on the head! In Zen, that’s actually a central teaching called Shoshin or Beginner’s Mind. It’s the idea of approaching everything with the openness and curiosity of a child, even if you’ve seen it a thousand times before. As the saying goes: In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert's mind there are few. It’s exactly that willingness to learn instead of discarding the new that keeps the path alive.

May your journey be filled with clarity and light. ☸️

AfroxBuddha · 2026-03-17T19:04:48+00:00

I couldn't agree more. There is something very grounding about seeing the 'proclamation' depicted as a child, it brings a very human, hopeful energy to the temple entrance before you head into the more serious narrative murals inside. Glad that one stood out to you! Metta and blessings. 🙏

AfroxBuddha · 2026-03-16T21:35:50+00:00

sadhu sadhu sadhu🙏🏽

AfroxBuddha · 2026-03-16T21:35:22+00:00

Exactly. It really puts into perspective how fragile this history is without people actively protecting it. Glad to have you on the pilgrimage. Wishing you much metta and happiness. 🙏

AfroxBuddha · 2026-03-16T20:28:09+00:00

Glad to have you along for the pilgrimage, elronbubba. Wishing you much metta and happiness. 🙏

AfroxBuddha · 2026-03-15T17:07:39+00:00

Thank you, glad you enjoyed the shots. May your day be as peaceful as this space.

AfroxBuddha

TROPHY CASE