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BIHAR VAISHALI Vaishali the quiet hamlet steeped in
legend lies amidst lush paddy fields, 55 km north of
Patna. This is
the place where, Lord Buddha preached his first sermon and
announced his impending Nirvana. Vaishali is also the birthplace of Lord Mahavira. One
hundred years after the Buddha's 'parinirvana', 700 monks
from all over North India, assembled here, to discuss the 10 points
of 'vinaya', the rule of conduct, under dispute. Thus, Vaishali
became the venue of the second Buddhist council. Two stupas were
erected to recall this event. ASHOKA pillars Lord Buddha visited Vaishali frequently, and at
Kolhua,
preached his last sermon. To commemorate the event,
Emperor Ashoka, in the third century B.C. erected one of
the famous lion pillars here. A hundred years after the
mahaparinirvana of the Buddha - Vaishali hosted the second great
Buddhist council and 2 stupas were erected here, to commemorate this
event. Vaishali is then twice blessed and remains an important
pilgrim centre for both Buddhists and Jains. To
commemorate the importance of the site, Emperor Ashoka erected one
of his famous pillars.
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