The mahabodhi temple is supposed to be built on the spot where guatama achieved enlightenment. It’s an oblisk ornately fashoned in some kind of cement. .. though at some point it has been restored (last century I think but it is not so important.) . . It is constructed directly next to a bodhi tree that is said to be a cutting from the original.. that too is not important. (Nice tree the bodhi.. shady. Good on a hot day.)
Entry to the grounds is gratis.. and the precinct is tastefully maintained. Though this is not what people come for.
The thing that attracts people to this, the most important site of veneration for the world's buddhists, is the message of the buddha. And that is that enlightenment is a reality. One can achieve enlightenment which is the opposite of delusion…there is an end to suffering.. it is this that the buddha realized under the tree here after so many trials.. . I have nothing but admiration and the utmost respect for him.
One can actually enter the oblisk into what is the focal point. ( i almost said "holy of holies" but that would be misrepresenting the place... in 'buddhism' (i think it is right to say that) the holy of holies is the heart of a human being.. or whatever is living.....) It is austere enough.. a room with about 10 square meters or less of bare stone floor space... a large statue of the buddha seated facing out. It is golden.. as for the expression on the face of the buddha well, you have to come and make up your own mind about that in the brief moment that is permitted for one to glance at it.. if one dares.. . There is an altar before the statue.. Some simple flowers are on it.. nothing else.. a monk comes and gracefully bows down before it touching his forehead on the stone.. There is an aura of profound veneration in the small space. Its as genuine and serious as it gets.
I arrived early enough for it not to be so busy and so spent a short time with 4 or 5 monks in silent meditation before the public started to arrive..
it is one of those places that is life changing… let it be said. It confirms my deepest beliefs or fears about mr. buddha.. that he was indeed the enlightened one.
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