Book Cover Design

In the midst of researching and compiling the places to see for my book, I decided to design the cover so I can visualize the end product in order to reach my goal. Not just that, you can click and right click on the jpg and set as background (wallpaper) for your computer screen ;)

Foreword

The Buddha said*...

"There are four places, Ananda, that a pious person should visit and look upon with feelings of reverence. What are the four?

Here (Lumbini) the blessed one was born.

Here (Bodhgaya) the blessed one attain enlightentment

Here (Sarnath) the blessed one turned the wheel of Dharma

Here (Kushinagara) the blessed one passed into Mahaparinirvana

"These, Ananda, are the four places that a pious person should visit and look upon with feelings of reverence."

"And whoever, Ananda, should die on such a pilgrimage with his heart established in faith, at the breaking up of the body, after death, will be reborn in a realm of heavenly happiness."

*Mahaparinibbana Sutta



By no means is this book about achieving Nirvana nor is it intended as a pilgrimage guide. Rather, it is meant to help awaken you to your surroundings as well as offer a suggestion of the places that Buddhist travellers might wish to visit. To attain Nirvana, you need to achieve your own self-cultivation through mediation (Samadhi) and develop wisdom (Prajna) through the understanding of Buddha’s dharma.

Buddhism has always been an inspiration to me both spiritually and philosophically, and I feel that the teachings that existed more than 2,500 years ago are still as relevant as ever today. The tranquillity of each Buddhist site, regardless of whether they are ancient temples, monuments or cities, never fails to give me a sense of peace. If you are a follower of Buddhism, what better way to travel than to trace the footsteps of that highly transcendent and sublime being, the Buddha?

There are, of course, many fascinating places to visit but for the purposes of this book, I have chosen to focus on Nepal, India, South East Asia, Sri Lanka and Taiwan. The course taken here begins in Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, and it traces his journey as he attained Enlightenment, gave his First Sermons and finally passed from the physical realm (Mahaparinibbana). It should be noted that the section on Nepal is not an exhaustive one as there are many things I have yet to discover about this mystical and wonderful country so please don’t assume Lumbini is the only place worth visiting in Nepal.

Like all Buddhist scriptures or teachings, this book has been divided into three volumes. Each volume will introduce 36 places, bringing the overall total up to 108. But enough of my rambling. I’ll now leave your imagination to guide you as you read about the places mentioned in this book.

Before you travel

You can visit the sites in any order you like – there is no need to follow the order given in this book. That said, to be a savvy traveller, do take note of the following:

* To reduce unnecessary waste and keep the sites clean, bring your own water bottle and a recyclable shopping bag.

* Make an effort to support local communities by buying products from local craftsmen where possible.

* When visiting Buddhist temples, do remember to dress appropriately. Avoid wearing shorts or sleeveless tops. Women should wear skirts that cover their knees.

Why 108?

Prayer bracelets, which are traditionally made up of 108 beads or smaller numbers divisible by nine, are commonly used by Buddhists to keep count as they recite, chant, or mentally repeat a mantra. According to Buddhist thought, human beings are said to have 108 afflictions or klesas. There are six senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch and consciousness), multiplied by three reactions (positive, negative, or indifference), thus making 18 "feelings". Each of these feelings can either be “attached to pleasure or detached from pleasure”, making 36 “passions”. Each of these passions can in turn manifest themselves in the past, present or future. The combination of all these manifestations makes a total of 108, which is represented by the beads.

What's Nirvana?

Nirvana (Sanskrit: निर्वाण; Pali: निब्बान) is the state of being free from suffering in sramanic thought. In Pāli, "Nibbāna" means "blowing out" — that is, blowing out the fires of greed, hatred, and delusion.

SOurce: Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirvana

Be a contributor

As you know, one pair of hands can only do so much. That’s probably why Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva has one thousand arms and eyes ; ) If you’d like to share your own Dharma-inspired travel experience with other readers, please send your story to 108b4nirvana@gmail.com.

Before you write your story, here are a few questions you might want to consider:
* How did you come to know about the place and when did you visit it?
* Can you provide any memorable anecdotes about your visit?
* How would you describe your overall experience and what did you take away from the trip?

A picture speaks a thousand words – if you have any pictures of your trip, do send them together with your story. Alternatively, you can also send the links to the pictures if you have an existing blog or photo sharing account.

About me

As a freelance designer, I’ve always believed, probably because of my mother’s assurances, that I can accomplish anything that I want. I can be who I want to be, without any question or doubt.

After getting in touch with the Buddha's Dharma, I've realised nothing is permanent. Since nothing is permanent, why am I attaching myself to the world? Why should I feel sad for what I’ve never had?

This is why I’ve volunteered myself as a Buddhist guide. The gratification I've gained as a guide by bringing Buddhists around temples has been a source of inspiration for me and it’s helped me discover another passion (beside compassion ;)

Not only do the Buddhist sites and temples remind us that Buddha’s teachings continue to exist 2,555 years after his death, they also remind us we’re still going through samsara (cycles of existence) and that becoming a Buddha is never too far from impossible...

Sponsor my trip

If you believe that my book can eventually draw more people to the Buddhist Path of Awakening and would like to sponsor my trip, I’d love to hear from you.

Visit 108b4nirvana.blogspot.sg to find out more details about my next trip or email me at 108b4nirvana@gmail.com to let me know how you’d like to help!