Sankissa
Place where the Abhidhamma was taught
The historic site of Sankisa holds a special significance in Buddhist tradition, marking the sacred ground where the Buddha descended from the heavenly realms at the conclusion of the seventh rains retreat. It is here that he imparted profound teachings of the Abhidhamma to his mother and celestial beings. Legend has it that the Buddha returned daily to the northern continent to partake of meals, with Sariputta using his psychic powers to serve him and receive teachings, which he diligently transcribed each evening in a nearby vihara at Sankisa.
Chanting ceremonies
LBDFI made contact with the Youth Buddhist Society (YBS) to establish the International Tipitaka chanting in Sankasya in 2012. LBDFI sponsored the erection of a chanting pavilion, and offered food twice per day to all participants. The first Tipitaka chanting took place with the full cooperation of YBS and the local temples in 2014 with 40 international monks, 200 Indian monks and 200 local devotees. Dharma talks were held in the evening and a pilgrimage was made to the site of the Vihara where Sariputra is reputed to have assembled the Abhidamma. In 2015, there were 250 venerable monks and nuns and 300 lay devotees. In 2016, we had 300 venerable monks and nuns and 250 lay participants. In 2017, we had 200 venerable monks and nuns and 200 lay participants. In 2018, we had 230 monks and 250 lay participants. In 2019, we had 300 venerable monks and nuns and 300 lay participants.
Pilgrimage
Every year the Venerable monks and nuns visit the local viharas in Sankasya along with other prominent sites associated with the life of the Buddha.
Offering the Sankasya Bell, Stupa, and Buddha Statue
In 2014, we installed the World Peace Bell in Sankasya at the Burmese Vihara. In 2017, we gold leafed the Bell. We also offered an 8 foot stupa to the YBS in 2017. We also offered the Buddha statue to the Burmese Vihara in 2018.
Dharma Talks
Every evening while the chanting is occurring we hold Dharma talks on Abhidhamma for the local people. We have distributed copies of the Abhidhamma in Devanagari, Thai and Burmese and Roman.
Due to its association with the Abhidhamma and its role in the transmission of Buddhist teachings, Sankisa is revered by Buddhists worldwide as one of the eight ancient pilgrimage sites. Sponsored by the government of Uttar Pradesh, LBDFI organized the 8th International Abhidharma Chanting program at Sankisa on November 18-19, 2023. This event served as a vibrant celebration of the Abhidhamma teachings, drawing practitioners from the local temples, local communities and international sangha members to honor these most profound teachings of Abhidhamma.
What did the Buddha teach here according to the Pali Canon:
Lumbini and Kapilavastu hold profound significance in Buddhist history as the birthplace and early home of Siddhartha Gautama, the revered Buddha. Lumbini, located in present-day Nepal, marks the sacred spot where Queen Maya Devi gave birth to Prince Siddhartha. Kapilavastu, situated nearby, was the capital of the Shakya kingdom where the young prince spent his formative years.