The exact birth place of Gautam Buddha

Situated in southwestern Nepal, approximately 250 kilometers from Kathmandu admist the sacred gardens of Lumbini is the Mayadevi Temple where Buddha was born. Near the Palace, a 6.5 meters high pillar known as Ashoka Stambha can be found which was erected by King Ashoka in 245 BC. The pillar contains the following inscription:

" King Piyadasi (Ashoka), beloved of devas, in the 20 year of the coronation, himself made a royal visit, Buddha Sakyamuni having been born here, a stone railing was built and a stone pillar erected to the Bhagavan having been born here, Lumbini village was taxed reduced and entitled to the eight part."

Lumbini, as of 1997, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site specifically nominated for the international World Heritage program.

The holy site of Lumbini is bordered by a large monastic zone in which only monasteries can be built, no shops, hotels or restaurants. It is separated into an eastern and western monastic zone, the eastern having the Theravadin monasteries, the western having Mahayana and Vajrayana monasteries.

The holy site of Lumbini has ruins of ancient monasteries, a sacred Bodhi tree, an ancient bathing pond, the Ashoka pillar and the Mayadevi temple, where the precise place of birth of Buddha is located. From early morning to early evening, pilgrims from various countries perform chanting and meditation at the site.

Mayadevi Temple, Ponds and Garden area

Mayadevi Temple and Garden

Bodhi Tree and Pond

Eternal Peace Flame

Inside Mayadevi Temple. Birth Place of Gautam Buddha

Different Ethinic Flags Outside The Temple

Ashoka Pillar

The Inscription about Gautam Buddha can be found in this Pillar built by King Ashoka

Inscription on theAshoka Pillar

Some Great Buddha Quotes

"Believe nothing no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and common sense."

“I never see what has been done; I only see what remains to be done.”

"If you light a lamp for someone else it will also brighten your path."

“Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without."

“The way is not in the sky. The way is in the heart.”

“The tongue like a sharp knife … Kills without drawing blood.”

"Hatred does not cease through hatred at any time. Hatred ceases through love."

“Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.”

“It is better to travel well than to arrive.”

“What we think,we become."

"All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world."

“It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles. Then the victory is yours. It cannot be taken from you, not by angels or by demons, heaven or hell.”

“Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.”

“A dog is not considered a good dog because he is a good barker. A man is not considered a good man because he is a good talker.”

“In the sky, there is no distinction of east and west; people create distinctions out of their own minds and then believe them to be true.”

“There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting"

“You can search throughout the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and that person is not to be found anywhere. You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe deserve your love and affection.”

"Live every act fully, as if it were your last."

“Open your eyes and you will see the beauty of the Universe. Open your mind and you will understand the Universe. Open your heart and the Universe is yours.”