In short: shortly before he died, the Buddha named four "inspiring places" for his followers to visit: where he was born, where he awakened, where he first taught, and where he passed away (DN 16). Today these are Lumbini (Nepal), Bodh Gaya, Sarnath and Kushinagar (India). They remain the heart of Buddhist pilgrimage.
The Buddha's own words
"Ānanda, a faithful gentleman should go to see these four inspiring places. What four? Thinking: 'Here the Realized One was born!'—that is an inspiring place. Thinking: 'Here the Realized One became awakened as a supreme fully awakened Buddha!'—that is an inspiring place. Thinking: 'Here the supreme Wheel of Dhamma was rolled forth by the Realized One!'—that is an inspiring place. Thinking: 'Here the Realized One was fully quenched in the element of extinguishment with no residue!'—that is an inspiring place."
DN 16 · More from his last days: the Buddha's last words.
Read the full guide
The four places today
| Event | Ancient name | Today |
|---|---|---|
| Birth | Lumbinī | Lumbini, Nepal |
| Awakening | Uruvelā, at the tree of awakening | Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India |
| First teaching | The deer park at Isipatana, near Varanasi | Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Final passing | Kusinārā | Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh, India |
The awakening: the Bodhi tree (Ud 1.1) · The first teaching: Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta.
A pilgrimage at home
The Buddha's point was the thought, "Here the Realized One was born!": remembering, and being inspired. You can do that anywhere:
- Birth: read his own story of leaving home.
- Awakening: sit for 10 minutes, as he sat under the tree.
- First teaching: read the Four Noble Truths.
- Passing: reflect on his last words: "Conditions fall apart. Persist with diligence."
Try it
Begin with a few quiet minutes: Practice.
Questions people ask
What are the four main Buddhist pilgrimage sites?
The four 'inspiring places' named by the Buddha in DN 16: where he was born (Lumbini, in today's Nepal), where he awakened (Bodh Gaya), where he first taught (the deer park at Isipatana, today's Sarnath) and where he passed away (Kusinārā, today's Kushinagar).