Commemoration of the 2554th birth anniversary of the Enlightened One

In the heart of Patna, where ancient echoes of civilisations resonate through every brick, lies the Buddha Smriti Park - a serene oasis that pays homage to the spiritual legacy of Lord Buddha himself.

Envisioned as a commemoration of the 2554th birth anniversary of the Enlightened One, this place was inaugurated by His Holiness the Dalai Lama on the sacred day of Buddha Purnima. It was on these hallowed grounds that two saplings, one carried from the birthplace of Bodh Gaya and another tracing its lineage to the ancient Sri Lankan shores of Anuradhapura, were ceremoniously planted - an act steeped in cosmological significance as these descendants of the original Mahabodhi tree took root.

At the heart of this transcendent idyll stands the crowning glory - a 200-foot-high majestic Buddhist Peace Pagoda whose architectural grandeur complements the lush botanical surroundings.

The Buddha Smriti Park emerges as a luminous beacon where one can experience the divine resonance of Buddha's enlightened teachings amid nature's invigorating embrace.

Wonders within the stupa

Buddha Smriti Park's grandeur unfurls across a sprawling 22-acre area and offers panoramic vistas of the park's lush environs with a towering dome. And within its sanctified walls lie the most sacred of treasures—the very relics of Lord Buddha himself, secured in a hallowed glass enclosure where a diminutive golden statue of the Enlightened One sits in eternal meditation.

Yet this is not the only precious relic within the stupa's embrace. In a symbolic gesture transcending borders, His Holiness the Dalai Lama and monks from Thailand, Myanmar, Japan, South Korea, and Sri Lanka placed holy relics here —places where Buddha's universal teachings manifested in physical form. His Holiness the Dalai Lama himself presided over this profound ceremony. He was joined by the spiritual envoys who carried these blessed artefacts across lands and oceans to converge at this luminous epicentre.

A sanctuary of profound significance

The Buddha Smriti Park is also home to an archaeological marvel that transcends mere brick and stone - a relic stupa whose hallowed chambers enshrine the mortal remains of Lord Buddha himself. This revered monument is integral to the eight legendary stupas constructed worldwide, each serving as an eternal vessel for the enlightened one's earthly vestige following his ascension into Mahaparinirvana.

According to ancient traditions that have echoed through Buddhist consciousness, it was in the aftermath of Buddha's cremation by Kushinagar's fishermen that his mortal remains were distributed among eight claimants—the noble realms of Vaishali, Magadha, Kapilavastu, Alakappa, Ramagram, Vethadipa, and the hallowed lands of Pava and Kushinagar itself. The relic enshrined within this stupa's sanctum sanctorum hails from Vaishali, one of the select few blessed to receive a portion of the supreme being's sacred ash.

As one stands before this architectural embodiment of humanity's spiritual evolution, the immensity of its cosmic significance reverberates through every fibre of one's being. For here, encapsulated within ancient stone, lies the essence of the Buddha's corporeal journey.

Timings

Opening time - 09:00 AM

Closing time - 07:00 PM

Let's take a tour inside

Buddha Smriti Park invites visitors to embark on a multifaceted journey that awakens the senses and nourishes the soul. As you enter the central hall, you will see concentric wooden flooring, creating a meditative ambience. You can spend rejuvenating moments in quiet contemplation before the sacred reliquary case enshrined at the centre.

For those seeking a deeper immersion into Buddhist practices, the state-of-the-art Meditation Center beckons. Inspired by the architectural blueprint of the Nalanda University monasteries, this remarkable structure offers a series of cells from which one can gaze upon the majestic stupa, fostering an environment conducive to spiritual awakening.

The park's expansive library is a treasure trove for knowledge seekers. It houses an extensive collection of books and literature related to Buddhism. Knowledgeable staff are readily available to guide visitors in their literary explorations.

Finally, the museum unveils a rich Buddhist history and teachings through original artefacts from various archaeological excavations. Multimedia presentations and audio-visual guides bring to life the fascinating journey of Buddhism, from its origins in Bihar to its global resonance, providing visitors with a profound understanding of this ancient tradition.

Beyond the walls of Buddha Smriti Park

A visit to the serene Buddha Smriti Park is further enriched by the historical and cultural wonders surrounding it in Patna. Just a short distance away stands the ancient Kumhrar archaeological site, a remnant of the famed Pataliputra empire that bears witness to the region's glorious past through its excavated ruins and artefacts. The vibrant Mahavir Mandir beckons with its intricately carved architectural splendour for those seeking an immersion into Patna's living heritage. This sacred Jain temple, dating back to the 5th century, offers a glimpse into the city's syncretic spiritual traditions that have flourished across millennia.

Whether it's witnessing the sacred legacy of Lord Buddha or enjoying its lush, quiet ambience, Buddha Smriti Park promises a spiritual and cultural odyssey like no other.