Buddha’s Birth Place in Controversy
Buddha’s Birth Place in Controversy
A rock Inscription found in Kapileswar, now at Ashutosh Museum in Kolkata states that Mauryan King Ashoka Worshipped at Kapileswar because Buddha was born there.
Superintendent of the State Museum - Dr. C.B. Patel said “We want to conduct detailed research on this because of the very nature of the issue which is sensitive to say the least.
The controversy has given Buddha researches in the state enough energy to find out and examine the other connections Buddha might have had with the state which was once a major Buddhist centre.
The Japan Foundation for the Asia Centre has been approached for funding support to study these aspects of Lord Budha and his times.
Researchers claim that Buddha had visited South Kosala which is now identified as modern day Maraguda in Naupada District.
According to Rajendra Lal Mitra Writer Buddha had spent a Monsoon at Maraguda where one can find the remains of the South Kosala Capital. The remains have been submerged by the Pathora Dam. The discovery of two “Muchalinda Buddha’ idols at Maraguda and Ganiapally in Bargarah district strengthens the possibility of Buddha’s visit to Orissa. Hiuen Tsang-the noted Buddhist scholar spoke about a Buddhist stupa found in Maragnda in his Travelogues Tsang also visited Maraguda.
It is also said that Oriaya Merchants Tapasu and Bhallika offered him food in the Uruvela forest between Orissa and Madhya Pradesh.
Dr. B.C. Patel said these points of contention regarding the Birthplace of Budha needs to examined the researched. He acquainted the Japan Foundation officials with the relevance of research on the subject. The Foundation would need another South Eastern country to be a partner in the research and study.
