Buddhism: The Pilgrimage to Bodh Gaya


The students have learned that each of the major religions incorporates the idea of pilgrimage: taking a journey to a sacred place, in order to more fully understand the religion or to feel closer to God.

There are several places in India to which Buddhists take pilgrimages. The most famous is the village of Bodh Gaya, to visit the banyan tree where the Buddha achieved enlightenment.

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The Core 2 students engaged in fascinating discussion about the Buddhist belief in non-attachment. Several students questioned whether Buddhism does not put enough emphasis on the positive aspects of human relationships and attachments:

Max: Doesn't being attached to people bring you lots of happiness (in addition to the occasional times of suffering)?

Andrew and Sonia: If a Buddhist is not supposed to be attached to other things, can a Buddhist truly love another person?

Spicer: What about the Buddha himself? Did the Buddha love others?

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