In Kushinagar. 16-19 Nov.

• Final update: 19 Nov 2024, 830am (India time)

Came to the same chai stall to have my morning chai. Debnath invited me to sit with him and enjoy the chai together.

We chatted about our interests in Buddhism. He is Hindu but follows the teachings of Buddha as well.

He realised that we were both planning to visit the nearby Kushinagar Museum, so he invited me to join him.

But, the museum is only open at 1030am. It was only 9am.

So, instead, we visited the Thai Temple further down.

After that, since he was checking out of this hotel soon and going to work, he invited me for tea and samosa at his hotel room.

He works in the Ministry of Health, and has been there for 30 plus years.

After washing the glasses with tap water, he brewed hot water with lemongrass leaves, and added some lime juice.

While chatting, I learnt some new insights and perspectives from him:

• we were discussing about beggars in India. He explained that even the Buddha who was a prince, learnt to beg and ask for food and water when needed. So, when the need arises, one should also lower one’s head, be humble and beg when necessary. He doesn’t like to give money to the beggars but is willing to buy food for the beggars, when he bought samosas for some beggars nearby, which I agree.
• the Buddha, does not keep food for the next day. What is required for one’s meal, is eaten that same day. Likewise, one should learn not to hoard. I think this act of hoarding for another day is very common, and personally, I think this hoarding can result in craving and attachment, if not managed well.

(By custom, Theravada monks are also not allowed to keep food for the next day.)

Again, what an amazing show of Indian hospitality!!

Taking photos inside. 20 Rupees.

History lesson:
The earliest Buddha images were from the Gandhara region, currently day Afghanistan/Pakistan, in the 2nd or 3rd Century CE. Before there were images of Buddha, icons of Buddhism were used instead, like the Dhamma wheel, the lotus, the footprint of the Buddha, Bodhi tree, etc.

Due to the conquest of Alexander the Great much earlier during the 4th Century BCE, there was Greek influence in the Gandhara region, which sculptured the first Buddha Images.

That is why the earliest Buddha images look a bit European/Greek in design.

I do find this European/Greek Buddha look quite intriguing.

I took 4 photos of Buddha statues in the museum. 3 out of the 4 Buddha Statues are Gandharan. Could you spot them?

A nice attempt to replicate a Japanese zen garden.

I have seen some guide explaining about this stupa, but in Hindi. So, I never knew what it represented.

It is said that the Buddha laid down between 2 Sal trees and entered Parinirvana there. Just now, a monk explained to me that this is the location of those 2 Sal trees, and so it is also the location of where the Buddha entered Parinirvana.

Veg Maggi 50 Rupees.
Veg fried rice 50 Rupees.

When I had some of the veg Maggi the night before, I thought it was really tasty. They made it into a thick curry soup. That’s why I decided to order it this evening.

Thought I would try this new restaurant down the road.

Ordered the chicken chowmein and the manchow soup.

I think the lady thought I only wanted the manchow soup. So, only the soup came.

This is the first time that I did not finish my food due to the taste. The soup was just too peppery and bland. I only had a few scoops before leaving it.

Wanted to try the Tokyo Restaurant again but they have yet to open, so back to Buddha Vatika Restaurant.

Went to the Maha Parinirvana Temple/Stupa earlier this afternoon, but was a bit tired, could only do a short meditation session.

From the Maha Parinirvana Temple/Stupa grounds, exited through a different exit.

It is like a carnival here, with a Burmese Pagoda by the side.

Decided to try this place with pizza.

On the way back, another evening, another omelette, another day gone by in Kushinagar.

Ordered the Egg Curry 140 Rupees, and 4 rotis 10 Rupees each.

The egg curry literally has 2 eggs inside.

While at the restaurant, I met a group of 4 chinese looking customers with an Indian looking customer.

They were talking in English.

One of them then talked to me, and I thought she sounded Singaporean. But she said she is from Hong Kong.

After chatting awhile, I found out that the other 3 chinese looking customers are Indian Citizens, and the lady who spoke to me, was an Indian Citizen before she got married and moved to Hong Kong.

I know that there are Chinese everywhere in the world like how there are Chinese Singaporeans and Chinese Malaysians, but this is the first time meeting Chinese Indian Citizens.

Very interesting encounter.

18 Nov 2024: I have to change rooms as the Tibetan Monastery/Temple is fully booked for the night.

At first, I was expected to find somewhere else for the night but after thinking a while, the manager suggested this room where I can stay for the night alone.

This is the way leading up to the room.

I did find a safer way to the room but this route seems more exciting.

Delicious.

Last full day in Kushinagar before I head off tomorrow.

A big group of Sri Lankan devotees were decorating the stupa.

He is a Lama (Tibetan Monk) from the Gelugpa Sect. We chatted a bit, with simple Mandarin.

He comes from Sichuan and fled to India, having stayed in India for the past 20 years.

He would be here in Kushinagar for a week before going to Lumbini, Nepal, and would stay there for 2 months. (Not sure if I heard correctly, as his mandarin is not very accurate.)

All the best to him!!

I would miss Kushinagar. Love the quieter, more tranquil, small town feel.

Would try to come back here again in the future. Till we meet again.