After his enlightenment, Siddhartha Gautama Buddha traveled to Sarnath, a village near Varanasi, India. There he shared the Dharma (teaching) with his closest disciples for the first time. He explained the four noble truths that became the foundation for the philosophy we now know as Buddhism. By the seventh century AD, more than 3,000 monks … Read more
Monks wait to meditate beneath the Bodhi Tree in Bodh Gaya, India. According to legend, Siddhartha Gutama (Buddha) meditated on this exact spot without moving until he attained enlightenment. Records are unclear about how long he meditated; some say six days, others say 49 days, while some even say it took six years. Once Buddha … Read more
During a dawn boat ride along the ghats in Varanasi, India, I witnessed devoted Hindus bathing in the Ganges River. Many save for years to make the trip and are joyful at finally being able to touch the river they know as Mother Ganga. Despite being severely polluted, they flock to the ghats every morning … Read more
In India, more than any other place on earth, the natural and spiritual worlds conjoin. Air and light, trees and mountains, animals and fire are all worshiped as gods. But the most important natural deity for Hindus is the Ganges River, an embodiment of the Goddess Ganga. A water goddess, Ganga originally tended the gardens … Read more
Every evening after the sun sets, devotees perform the Aarti Fire Purifying Ceremony at Assi Ghat, on the banks of the Ganges River in Varanasi, India.
