3 Buddha Places in Nepal
Sakyamuni Buddha – The Historical Buddha
Sakyamuni Buddha (meaning “Sage of the Shakya clan”) is the title given to Siddhartha Gautama, the historical founder of Buddhism.
- Birthplace: Lumbini, Nepal (623 BCE, as per UNESCO)
- Family: Born a prince in the Shakya kingdom. Father: King Suddhodana. Mother: Queen Maya Devi.
- Life Turning Point: Left royal life at age 29 after seeing suffering (old age, sickness, death).
- Search for Truth: Practiced deep meditation and asceticism for years.
- Enlightenment: Achieved enlightenment at age 35 under the Bodhi Tree in Bodh Gaya, India, becoming the Buddha — “The Awakened One.”
- First Teaching: Delivered at Sarnath, near Varanasi (the “Dharmachakra Pravartana” – turning the wheel of Dharma).
- Teachings: The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path — a way to overcome suffering and reach Nirvana.
- Death (Mahaparinirvana): At age 80 in Kushinagar, India.
Sakyamuni Buddha’s teachings spread across Asia and the world, forming the foundation of Theravāda, Mahāyāna, and Vajrayāna traditions — promoting peace, wisdom, compassion, and inner freedom.
Krakuchanda Buddha (Katkuchand Buddha)
Krakuchanda Buddha is one of the past Buddhas who lived long before Siddhartha Gautama (Shakyamuni Buddha).
- He is the first Buddha of the present fortunate eon (Bhadra Kalpa).
- According to Buddhist scriptures, he was born in Niglihawa, Kapilvastu, Nepal.
- Emperor Ashoka visited Niglihawa and built a pillar with inscriptions, marking the birthplace of Krakuchanda Buddha.
- Like other Buddhas, he renounced royal life, practiced meditation, and attained Enlightenment.
- After sharing his teachings, he passed into Mahaparinirvana.
Niglihawa today is a sacred Buddhist pilgrimage site in Nepal, closely connected to Nepal’s ancient Buddhist history.
Kanakamuni Buddha – Born in Gotihawa, Nepal
- Kanakamuni Buddha is one of the past Buddhas in Buddhist tradition, who appeared before Kashyapa and Shakyamuni (Gautama) Buddha.
- He was born in Gotihawa, located in Kapilvastu District, Nepal.
- The name “Kanakamuni” means “Sage of Gold”, symbolizing purity and enlightenment.
- Like other Buddhas, he renounced worldly life, meditated, and attained Buddhahood to teach the path to liberation.
- Emperor Ashoka visited Gotihawa and built a pillar there to mark the Buddha’s birthplace. The remains of the Ashoka pillar and ancient stupa still exist at the site today.
Gotihawa is now recognized as a significant Buddhist pilgrimage site, holding Nepal’s rich spiritual and historical legacy.
