Buddha Festival in Budaun: A unique celebration of love, non-violence and compassion in November.

INDC Network : Uttar Pradesh : The ancient Buddha Kheda in village Bhilauliya Satyapur of Tehsil Bisoli in Badaun, which is known for its historical importance, is organizing Buddha Mahotsav and grand fair this year too. This festival is celebrated in the memory of the statues and remains of Tathagata Buddha and Emperor Ashoka period. Learned speakers from other parts of the state will also come to guide you in the program. People come to this festival with their family and friends and respect the teachings of Lord Buddha. Organizing this festival is not only important from the religious point of view, but it will also work to promote the principles of unity, love and tolerance in the society.

Organizing Buddha Festival and Grand Fair
Venue: Samrat Ashok Buddha Vihar, Village Bhilaulia Satyapur, Badaun, Uttar Pradesh
Date: 05 November 2024 to 07 November 2024

Program Details:
Dhamma Yatra: Date: 05 November 2024, Tuesday
Time: 11 AM to 2 PM

Dhamma preaching: 1 hour daily

An Evening in the Name of Tathagata:
Date: 07 November 2024, Thursday
Time: 7 PM to 6 AM

Magician J.K. Sagar's presentation on blind faith and hypocrisy: Pratidin

Buddha Leela: Buddhist Dhamma propagation and social reformer drama art group Lakhimipur Kheri
time: from 12 noon to 5 pm and from 8 pm to 1 am

President: Jai Prakash Shakya (Mobile: 9761481923), Treasurer: Narendra Maurya (Mobile: 8218799098), General Secretary: Vedpal Maurya (Mobile: 9997100677), Secretary: Dharamveer Shakya (Mobile: 9720539686), Joint Secretary: Mahesh Chandra Maurya (Mobile: 9536178282), Director: Suraj Pal Shakya (Mobile: 9720884891), Legal Advisor: Adv. Bhoop Singh Shakya (Mobile: 8077043100), Vice President: Hari Shankar Shakya (Mobile: 9758195119)

Members: Jasvir Shakya (Mobile: 9927526551), Hari Shankar Shakya (Mobile: 9758195119), Prem Shakya (Mobile: 9760161442), Raghuraj Shakya (Mobile: 9675521342), Akash Shakya (Mobile: 8279762935), Dhirendra Shakya (Mobile: 8954117751), Gopal Shakya (Mobile: 8192071367), Adv. Rajesh Bharti (Mobile: 7351663712), Veeresh Shakya (Mobile: 9761928527), Gopal Shakya (Mobile: 8859092268)

Organiser: This programme is being organised jointly by Milaulia Buddha Vikas Trust (Regd.) and all the villagers.

Why did Emperor Ashoka build 84000 Buddhist stupas? 

Emperor Ashoka, who was the third emperor of the Maurya Empire, is an important figure in Indian history. His reign is believed to have been between 268 and 232 BC, and his works deeply influenced Indian culture and Buddhism. Emperor Ashoka built 84,000 Buddhist stupas, with the aim of propagating Buddhism and spreading its principles widely.

• Rise of Buddhism: Emperor Ashoka's inclination towards Buddhism came when he fought the Kalinga War in Kandahar. Many innocent civilians died in this war, and this war deeply affected his soul. The horrors of war attracted him towards the principles of non-violence and compassion. As a result, he adopted Buddhism and decided to take strict measures to propagate it.

• Construction of Stupas:  84,000 stupas were built with the aim of spreading the four major tenets of Buddhism. These stupas were important sites for Buddhism, where Buddhist pilgrims came to meditate, worship and pray. Each stupa was dedicated to some element of Buddhism, such as a representation of the sacred relics of Lord Buddha or his teachings.

• Non-violence and social unity:  Emperor Ashoka believed that spreading the principles of Buddhism would promote non-violence, love and tolerance in society. Through his stupas, he not only promoted Buddhism but also gave the message that all religions and ideologies should be respected in society. This was an effort to encourage the spirit of unity and tolerance, which would increase harmony in the society.

• Medium of propagation:  Ashoka made stupas a medium of propagation of Buddhism. He sent Buddhist monks to different countries so that they could explain the teachings of Buddhism to the people there. These stupas became a center of attraction for Buddhism, where people came to meditate, listen to sermons from the monks and strengthen their faith in the religion.

• Cultural Heritage:  Emperor Ashoka's construction of 84,000 stupas not only holds religious significance but is also a part of Indian cultural heritage. These stupas gave a new direction to Buddhist architecture and permanently established Buddhism in India. The pilgrims who visited these stupas were not only followers of Buddhism but also people of other religions, leading to various cultural exchanges.

Emperor Ashoka's construction of 84,000 Buddhist stupas reflects his conversion to Buddhism and his deep devotion towards it. This move was not only for propagating Buddhism but was also important for establishing the principles of non-violence, love and tolerance in society. Even today, Ashoka's stupas hold an important place in Indian history and reflect the deep roots of Buddhism. His vision and actions have permanently influenced Indian culture and society.

What is the relation of Tathagata Buddha with the Buddhist stupas of Emperor Ashoka?

There is a deep and important connection between the Buddhist stupas of Tathagata Buddha and Emperor Ashoka. This connection is mainly related to the propagation of Buddhism, preservation of Buddhist relics, and dissemination of the teachings of the Buddha. Here is the connection explained in detail:

• Rise of Buddhism:  Tathagata Buddha, also known as Gautam Buddha, founded Buddhism in the 6th century BC. His teachings emphasized compassion, non-violence, and meditation, which left a deep impact on the society of that time. Buddha preached at various places in the last phase of his life and people came from far and wide to listen to his sermons.

• Religious Conversion of Emperor Ashoka: Emperor Ashoka, who was the third emperor of the Maurya Empire, adopted Buddhism and put all his energy into propagating it. After the Kalinga War, when he experienced the horrors of war, he adopted the principles of non-violence and compassion and decided to follow the path of Buddha.

• Construction of stupas and Buddha's relics:  Emperor Ashoka built 84,000 Buddhist stupas, which were intended to propagate the principles of Buddhism and preserve the relics of the Buddha. These stupas housed relics of the Buddha, such as his body parts, robes, and other sacred materials. These stupas became pilgrimage sites for followers of Buddhism, where they worshiped and meditated.

• Spreading the message of Buddha:  Emperor Ashoka worked to spread the message of Buddha widely through Buddhist stupas. He sent Buddhist monks to different countries so that they could spread the teachings of Buddha to the people there. Thus, Buddhist stupas not only had religious significance, but also became a medium to propagate the principles of Buddha.

• Cultural and religious unity:  Ashoka's stupas gave Buddhism a cultural identity. With the construction of these stupas, Buddhism found its way into various cultures in India and beyond. Ashoka gave state support to Buddhism, which ensured that Buddha's teachings reached every section of society.

The connection between Tathagata Buddha and Emperor Ashoka's Buddhist stupas is not only religious, but it is also historical and cultural. The life and teachings of the Buddha became a source of inspiration for Emperor Ashoka, who played a key role in the propagation and expansion of Buddhism during his reign. Thus, Emperor Ashoka's Buddhist stupas became symbols of the preservation and propagation of the Buddha's teachings, which are an integral part of Indian and global Buddhist culture even today.

Why is Sankisa Buddha Festival celebrated?

Sankisa Buddha Festival, celebrated in the Farrukhabad district of Uttar Pradesh, is an important religious and cultural event. The festival is celebrated mainly by the followers of Buddhism and aims to honour the teachings of the Buddha, his life, and Buddhist culture. Sankisa holds special significance because of:

• Life and message of Buddha:  Sankisa is the place where it is believed that Tathagata Buddha gave many important sermons during his lifetime. This place is known as a pilgrimage site for the followers of Buddhism, and reverence and devotion towards Buddha is expressed here.

• Propagating the Teachings:  The Sankisa Buddha Festival is organised to propagate the life of the Buddha, his teachings and the principles of non-violence, compassion, and tolerance he spread among the people. The festival brings together the followers of Buddhism to share their faith and beliefs.

• Cultural Programs:  Various cultural programs such as dance, music, and drama are organized during this festival, which depict the teachings of Buddha and Buddhist culture. These programs not only have religious significance but also help in spreading awareness about Buddhism in the society.

• Religious rituals:  During the Sankisa Buddha Festival, devotees perform special religious rituals, such as prayers, meditation, and worship. These rituals are a way to express their respect and devotion towards the Buddha. Also, it is an opportunity for the followers of Buddhism to express their faith strongly.

• Unity of the community:  This festival symbolizes unity and collectivity among the followers of Buddhism. People of the Buddhist community gather here, so that they can share their experiences and thoughts with each other. This unity promotes love and brotherhood in the society.

Sankisa Buddha Festival is an important religious and cultural event that holds special significance for the followers of Buddhism. The festival promotes the preaching of Buddha's teachings, cultural celebrations, and unity of the community. Thus, Sankisa Buddha Festival is important not only for the followers of Buddhism but also for spreading the principles of non-violence and compassion in society.

Inspired by the Sankisa Buddha Festival and to spread the thoughts of Tathagata Buddha to the masses, this fair or Buddha Festival is being organized by the organizers and Buddha followers in Samrat Ashok Buddha Vihar, Village Bhilaulia Satyapur, Badaun, Uttar Pradesh. It is not just a fair but during the programs, the teachings of Buddha are spread to the masses from the stage. Buddhist followers from many parts of the state come here.