Bodh Gaya and The Mahabodhi Temple
Photos from the trip to Bodh Gaya, India. Includes pictures of the Mahabodhi Temple and the surrounding town torn between tourism and spirituality.
Bodh Gaya is basically the origin point of Buddhism. The main attraction, the Mahabodhi Temple, stands where it is believed Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree. A supposed ancestor of the tree lives in the back, guarded by decorative barriers.
The temple makes everyone take off their shoes before descending into the lower campus. However, the walkways heat up like a pizza stone and cook any feet they contact. The staff addresses this by continuously soaking the ground with a few flowing hoses, especially around back near the tree.
As I relaxed under the tree I watched a family cooling off and playing with a hose. I had a realization and got a warm and fuzzy feeling, which is basically the same thing as becoming enlightened, right? I realized how simple and precious it is to enjoy yourself. Sometimes all it takes is a few splashes of water.
