Bihar is the place where 2500 years ago, under the Bodhi Tree of Bodh Gaya, prince Gautama attained enligtenment and became Buddha - 'one who is awake'. Today, this state of India is an important destination for Buddhists around the world. The town of Bodh Gaya, in particular, is one of the four holy places (others three being Kushinagar, Saranath and Lumbini) where Buddhist pilgrims flock in large number to pay their respect to the great Lord who renounced all wordly pleasures to know the truth of life.

In this holy town of the state, apart from the Bodhi Tree and Temple, there are a number of Buddhist Monasteries that make for a worthwhile visit during your Buddhist tour. Most of these monasteries - Japanese Monastery, Thai Monastery, Tibetan Monastery, The Chinese Temple and Monastery and the Buddhist Temple of Bhutan - have been constructed by Buddhist monks in association with the government of their respective countries ( Thailand, Bhutan, China, etc.,). Visiting them will give a glimpse of the influence that Buddhism has had in these countries. Moreover, the architectural variety you will get to see once you vist these monasteries will leave you completely spellbound.

This section provides you detail on all the important Buddhist Monasteries of Bihar. You have details on their location as well as their importance. Also, information on the festivals celebrated in these individual monasteries give you an idea as to what will be the best time to visit the monastery (not to say that other time of year are not good for visiting). Buddhist atttractions around that can be clubbed together to make the visit more fruitful are also given.

So, go through this section and and know more about each of these monasteries. And, if you are visiting Bihar, make it a point to visit these monasteries.

Famous Buddhist Monasteries in Bihar

• Tibetan Monastery
• Thai Monastery
• Japanese Monastery
• Buddhist Monastery of Bhutan
• The Chinese Temple & Monastery
• Tibetan Monastery, Bihar

In the eras following the 'mahaparinirvana' of Lord Gautam Buddha, His disciples got divided into different sects with vivid thoughts. However, all of them worked towards the same goal - To carry on the teachings of the Buddha, which further led to the foundation of numerous monasteries all around the world, among which the Tibetan monastery in Bodh Gaya, Bihar holds an eminent place.

Established in the year 1938, the Tibetan Mahayana monastery stands across the road from the Maha Bodhi temple complex, the place where the Buddha attained enlightenment in 528 BCE. The monastery houses a huge dharmachakra or the wheel of law, which is 10 meter high metal drum painted in golden and red colour and they say one can be free of all the sins committed, if one spins the wheel three times continuously from left to right. The monastery also consists of an image of Maitreya Buddha, which is believed to be the future incarnation of the Buddha.

Decorated with the Tibetan scriptures, thangkas and other Buddhist symbols and objects, the Tibetan monastery is also a meditation centre and conducts courses based on meditation and the principles of Buddhism. It also shelters the Buddhist tourists who come to visit the holy place of Bodh Gaya.

Bodhgaya
Bodh Gaya is the place where the ascetic Gautama attained enlightenment under the sacred Bodhi tree and became Lord Buddha. Situated in the southern Bihar, Bodh Gaya is one of the four most sacred places for the Buddhists, while others being Lumbini, Sarnath and Kushinagar.

Other Attractions of Bodhgaya

• Maha Bodhi Temple : The Maha Bodhi temple, located in Bodh Gaya, is one of the most prominent Buddhist sites of India. The temple, sacred to both, the Budhists and the Hindus, comprise a large image of the Buddha, a Shiva lingam and other images of the Buddha and the Bodhisattvas as well.
• Maha Bodhi Tree : A descendent of the original Bodhi tree under which the Buddha achieved enlightenment, the Maha Bodhi tree is venerated by the Buddhists from all around the world. Under the 80 feet high and 115 years old Maha Bodhi tree lies a red sandstone slab known as Vajrasana on which the Buddha sat and meditated.
• Chankramana Chaitya: The Chankramana Chaitya or the Jewel walk is a raised platform where the Budha walked up and down in meditation during the third week following enlightenment.

Festivals
The Tibetan monastery in Bodh Gaya celebrates different festivals to mark the days related to the Buddha and Buddhism. The Buddha Jayanti festival, being the most important one, is celebrated every year on the full moon night in the month of Vaishakha(April-May) to mark the enlightenment day of the Lord Buddha. The Buddhists from all over the world come to Bodh Gaya to attend the celebrations of Buddha Jayanti. The festival is marked with religious discourses, prayers, sermons on the life of the Buddha, recitation of Buddhist scriptures, group meditation and worship of the Buddha's statues.

Another major festival held in the monastery is the Kalchakra ceremony, which lasts for 10 days every year in the month of January. The ceremony is presided over by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the spiritual and religious head of the Tibetan Budhists. It is believed that one can attain salvation if he or she attends this ceremony at least once in a lifetime. A peace payer is also conducted to spread peace and harmony among every being.

How to Reach
By Air - The nearest airport is at Gaya(12 km), which is directly connected by flights to Colombo in Sri Lanka and Bangkok in Thailand.

By Rail - The nearest railhead is at Gaya, 12 kilometers away, which is connected to other major places like Delhi, Kolkata, Ptna and Ranchi.

By Road - Bodh Gaya can be reached within half an hour from Gaya. There are regular transport services from Patna(108 km) to Bodh Gaya also.

Other important Buddhist festivals which are celebrated
Other important occasions are the birth anniversary of Anagrika Dharmapala, 17th September, the birth and death anniversaries of Babasaheb Ambedkar, 14th April and 6th December, and Hiroshima Day on 6th August.

Thai Monastery, Bihar
With a noble cause to spread the philosophies and principles of Buddhism among the masses, the government of Thailand and the Buddhist monks joined their hands and established several monasteries including the one in Bodh Gaya, the land of the Buddha's enlightenment. Established in 1957, the Thai monastery not only presents the colours of the Thai culture and tradition, but at the same time along with its residents - the monks, play a vital role in the spread of the Buddhist ideologies.

The Thai monastery, built typically as per the Thai architecture, houses a Buddhist temple, which further contain images of the Lord Buddha in different forms. These images have also been carved with Buddhist scriptures, while at the same time the Buddhist symbols and other auspicious Buddhist objects can also be found in the monastic temples.

The Thai monastery also organise retreats every year in the month of January. These retreats are mainly held in silence except a few as an exception such as interactive sessions and personal or group meetings. With a maximum capacity of 135 people, these retreats include meditation practices, teachings on awakening, insight meditation or Vipassana(sitting, walking, reclining and eating), instructions on Yoga and interactive session on liberation and daily life issues. The evening talks can be attended by the general public as well, but smoking and other sins are banned for all in retreats at the monastery.

Bodhgaya
A home to many temples and monasteries, Bodh Gaya is a major sacred destination for all the Buddhists. It was at Bodh Gaya, where after trying almost everything to search the reality and aim of life, a young man sat under the Bodhi tee, meditated and ultimately realised the divine light of enlightenment and came to be known as the Lord Gautam Buddha.

Other Attractions of Bodhgaya

• Maha Bodhi Tree : The Maha Bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya is 115 years old and a fifth generation plant of the original peepal tree under which Siddhartha Gautama had meditated, achieved enlightenment and became the Lord Buddha. Standing as high as 80 feet, the Maha Bodhi tree is the most sacred spot at Bodh Gaya.
• Maha Bodhi Temple : Standing in front of the Maha Bodhi tree, the Maha Bodhi temple marks the place of the Buddha's enlightenment. The temple also comprises a 50 meter high tower containing an image of the Buddha, a Shiva lingam(Hindu deity) and several other Buddhist figures.
• Lotus Tank: The lotus tank is a pond inside the Maha Bodhi temple complex, where the Lord Buddha used to take a bath.

Festivals
The Thai monastery celebrates Buddha Jayanti every year on a full moon night in the month of Vaishakha or April-May to commemorate the Buddha's enlightenment. Besides, they also celebrates other occasions like the birth anniversary of Anagrika Dharmapala on 17th September and Hiroshima day on 6th August.

How to Reach
By Air - The nearest airports are at Gaya(12 km) and Patna. The Gaya airport is directly connected by flights to Colombo in Sri Lanka and Bangkok in Thailand. The Patna airport, 108 kilometers away, is a domestic airport and connected to all major cities of India by a good network of flights.

By Rail - The nearest railway station is at Gaya, 12 kilometers away, which is connected to other major places like Delhi, Kolkata, Patna and Ranchi.

By Road - Bodh Gaya can be reached within half an hour from Gaya. There are also regular and convenient transport services from Patna(108 km) to Bodh Gaya.

Japanese Monastery, Bihar
The Buddha's mahaparinirvana brought about many changes in the Sangha. The eras following His death witnessed many changes, the most prominent being the upcoming of different schools of thought into Buddhism - Theravada, Mahayana, Tantrayana and Zen Buddhism. The Japanese monastery, situated in Bodh Gaya, marks the philosophies of the Zen Buddhism and its practices in India.

Basically a firm believer in devotional practices based on meditation, the Japanese monastery of Bodh Gaya conducts individual and group meditation for monks and other people as well. Through meditation, they aim for the purification of one's heart to attain salvation or nirvana.

Bodhgaya
Situated in the southern Bihar, Bodh Gaya is reckoned as the most important Buddhist pilgrimage centre. The site marks the enlightenment of the Buddha and subsequently, the origin of Buddhism.

Other Major Attractions
Maha Bodhi Tree : Named after the Lord Gautam Buddha, the Maha Bodhi tree is a sacred place for all the Buddhsits. The sacred peepal tree standing as high as 80 feet in the Maha Bodhi complex, is the fifth generation plant of the original peepal tree, under which the Buddha was showered with the divine light of enlightenment.
Maha Bodhi Temple : The magnificent Maha Bodhi temple, built by the great Indian emperor Ashoka, is a true symbol of the amalgamation of religion with architecture. Revered by the Buddhists as an important sacred place, the temple also hosts a huge tower, an image of the Buddha and a Shiva lingam.
Shaivite Monastery: Adjacent to the Maha Bodhi temple, lies the Shaivite monastery, which further consists of four temples and several samadhis. It was at this place where Adi Shankaracharya, the religious head of the Hindus in the medieval period had a heated discussion with the Buddhists.

Festivals
The Japanese monastery marks the important days in the history of Buddhism and by celebrating several festivals. The Buddha Jayanti is the most important among all these festivals and is celebrated every year on a full moon night in the month of April-May. The monastery also celebrates Hiroshima day on August 6.

How to Reach
By Air - Located at a distance of 12 kilometers from Gaya, Bodh Gaya is easily accessible. The Gaya airport is directly connected to Colombo in Sri Lanka and Bangkok in Thailand.

By Rail - The nearest railway station is at Gaya, 12 kilometers away, which is connected to other major destinations like Delhi, Kolkata, Patna and Ranchi.

By Road - There are regular transport services from Patna(108 km) to Bodh Gaya. It takes barely half an hour from Gaya to Bodh Gaya by road.

Buddhist Monastery of Bhutan, Bihar
The Buddhist monastery of Bhutan, built in Pagoda style, is one of the major monasteries located in Bodh Gaya, Bihar. Built in collaboration with the Bhutanese government and the Buddhist monks, the monastery is popular with the pilgrims, tourists and the monks due to its well maintained surroundings and its unique structure. The monastery, decorated and carved with ornamental architectural style, hosts a magnificent temple along with a rest house for the Bhutanese monks. The temple inside the monastery has a seven-feet high image of the Lord Buddha, which is further carved with the Buddhist symbols and scriptures. The inner walls of the temple are carved with small figurines depicting the stages of the Buddha's life.

The Buddhist monastery of Bhutan also carries out several tasks from the place. The monks conducts discourse on the Buddha and His teachings, guide individual and group meditation, organise peace prayers and offer prayers at the temple.

Bodhgaya
A young prince Siddhartha Gautama, perturbed with the sufferings faced by every being, discarded the luxury and comfort of the palace, left His family or rather home and started leading the life of an ascetic. Years passed, and even prayers and fast too could not reveal the truth of life to Siddhartha. It was then He again abandoned the ascetic's life and reached Uruvella, a place in the south of the Magadh empire and one day in 528 BCE while meditating under a peepal tree, attained enlightenment, and came to known as the Lord Buddha, while the place Uruvella was named after Him as Bodh Gaya. Since then, a home to numerous temples and monasteries dedicated to Lord Buddha, Bodh Gaya has been venerated by each and every Buddhist from all over the world.


Other Attractions of Bodhgaya

• Maha Bodhi Tree : The sacred Maha Bodhi tree marks the nirvana of the Lord Budha as it was under this tree He was showered with the divine light of enlightenment. Under the tree lies Vajrasana, a red sandstone slab, the place where Lord Buddha sat and meditated.
• Maha Bodhi Temple : The Maha Bodhi temple is a major attraction of Bodh Gaya. A world heritage site declared by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Oganisation(UNESCO), the temple is located on a 3rd century BCE shrine, which was erected by a great Indian Buddhist emperor, Ashoka. The Maha Bodhi temple symbolises the magnificent Mauryan and Gupta architecture and houses a large image of the Buddha along with a Shiva lingam and a huge pillar.
• Archaeological Museum : The Bodh Gaya archaeological museum, a home to ancient artifacts, reflects the ancient art and architecture based upon the Buddha and Buddhism. The museum houses a large Buddhist sculpture collection belonging to the period between 1st century BCE to 11th century CE.

Festivals
The Buddha Jayanti is the most important festival celebrated by the Buddhist monastery of Bhutan at Bodh Gaya. It is celebrated on a full moon night in the month of Vaishakha(April-May) to mark the birth and enlightenment of the Buddha. Besides, other festivals like Hiroshima day(6th August) and birth anniversary of Babasaheb BhimRao Ambedkar(14th April) are also celebrated by the Buddhists in the monastery.

How to Reach
By Air - Bodh Gaya, 12 kilometers from Gaya can be reached by either taking a direct international flight to Gaya from Sri Lanka and Bangkok, or by taking a domestic flight to Patna, 108 kilometers away.

By Rail - Gaya, 12 kilometers away from Bodh Gaya, is the nearest railway station.

By Road - Bodh Gaya is connected to Patna(108 km) by National Highway number 83. A convenient and regular transport services connect both the places, while Bodh Gaya can also be reached from Gaya by road within half an hour.

The Chinese Temple & Monastery
Built in Chinese architectural style by the Chinese government and the Buddhist monks, the Chinese monastery though a very small structure in Bodh Gaya, is worth visiting. Dedicated to the Lord Buddha, the monastery houses a Chinese temple, which is further an excellent illustration of the amalgamation of the Chinese architecture with religion. The monastery is located near the Maha Bodhi temple complex and is open for the visitors from 7am to 5 pm with lunch in between.

Bodhgaya
Located in southern part of the Indian state of Bihar, Bodh Gaya is one of the four major sacred places along with Lumbini, Sarnath and Kushinagar, venerated by the Buddhists from all across the globe. Named after the Lord Buddha, Bodh Gaya reveres the Buddha's nirvana and hosts numerous temples and monasteries dedicated in the honour of the Lord Buddha.

Other Attractions of Bodhgaya

• Maha Bodhi Temple : One of the major attractions of Bodh Gaya, the Maha Bodhi temple is a world heritage site declared by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation(UNESCO).
  The temple is located on a 3rd century BCE shrine, which was erected by Ashoka, a great Indian Buddhist emperor. The Maha Bodhi temple, an excellent example of the Indian architectural style, houses a large image of the Buddha along with a Shiva lingam and a huge pillar.

• Maha Bodhi Tree : A descendent of the original peepal tree, under which the Buddha had meditated and achieved enlightenment, the sacred Maha Bodhi tree marks His nirvana. Vajrasana, a red sandstone slab, which lies under the 115 years old tree, further commemorates the spot where the Lord Buddha sat and meditated.
• Ratnagraha Chaitya : The Ratnagraha Chaitya denotes the place where the Lord Buddha spent His fourth week in basic contemplation. It is believed that while the Buddha meditated, red, blue, yellow, orange and white rays emerged from His body.

Festivals
The Chinese monastery in Bodh Gaya celebrates different festivals to mark the days related to the Buddha and Buddhism. The Buddha Jayanti is the most important festival celebrated every year on the full moon night in the month of Vaishakha(April-May) to commemorate the birth and enlightenment of the Lord Buddha. The Buddhists from all over the world come to Bodh Gaya to attend the celebrations of Buddha Jayanti, which involves religious discourses, prayers, sermons on the life of the Buddha, recitation of the Buddhist scriptures, group meditation and worship of the Buddha's statues.

How to Reach
By Air - The nearest airport is at Gaya(12 km), which is directly connected by flights to Colombo in Sri Lanka and Bangkok in Thailand. Another major airport is at Patna, the state capital of Bihar, 108 kilometers away. The Patna airport is a domestic airport and connected to all major cities of India.

By Rail - The nearest railhead is at Gaya, 12 kilometers away, which is further connected by a wide railway network to other cities like Delhi, Patna, Ranchi and Mughalsarai.

By Road - National Highway number 83 connects Bodh Gaya to Patna(108 km) via Bikram, Jehanabad, Belaganj and Gaya. The sacred place is also located at a short distance from National Highway number 2, which connects Kolkata(West Bengal) to Delhi(India's capital) via Varanasi(near Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh), Allahabad (Uttar Pradesh), Kanpur(Uttra Pradesh) and Agra(Uttar Pradesh).