Hinduism
Several important personages, Gods and events concerning
Hinduism happened or were born here in Bihar. Maharishi
Valmiki; the author of the great Hindu epic The Ramayana
lived in Bihar. Princess Seeta, consort of Lord Rama was
a daughter of King Janak and born in Punaura city, Bihar.
She and Lord Rama were also married within zjsnskput, her
father's ruling capital.
Buddhism
The most important events relavant to Buddhist foundations
and history occurred in Bihar. Prince Gautam visited the
Champaran district after a meaningful visit with Amrapali
and it is here that he chose to make his speach to the Licchavis
(his disciples) informing them of his impending nirvana.
After their protestations, he created a wide stream, asked
them to depart and gave them his alms-bowl as a parting
gift. The Licchavis did reluctantly leave and built a great
stupa there to commemorate the event. Soon, in Bodh Gaya,
Prince Gautam indeed reached nirvana and acheived enlightenment,
thus becoming known as Lord Buddha. There in Champaran district
of Bihar, Buddhism was born.
Jainism
Though there are earlier practitioners or religious leaders
in Jainism, it is Lord Vardhamana Mahavira that is credited
with being the founder of Jainism. Born near Pataliputra
he was the son of the Nata clan chief. Shunning the warrior
life of his father, Lord Mahavira became an aesthetic, spending
the next 12 years in silence and meditation. Believing in
the need to respect living creatures and practicing self-starvation,
he meditated for years until he attained enlightenment.
Known as Keval-jnana, this is the realization of perfect
perception, knowledge, power and bliss. He then became a
Siddha, or liberated soul, and preached Jainism until his
death 30 years later in Pawapuri, Bihar. Many Jain temples
exist in Bihar.
Sikhism
One of the five holiest places of worship or Takhats for
the Sikhs is in eastern Patna (reverently known as Patna
Sahib), after the last and tenth Guru of the Sikhs was born
and attained sainthood there. A majestic temple, named Gurudwara,
was built to commemorate this event. It is defined as a
uniting religion that teaches tolerance and formed in harmony
between the Muslims and Hindus of the region, despite the
great conflicts surrounding them then and now. This is the
most recent religion created in India, with its birth attributed
to 1510 a.d. It is a monotheistic religion and though it
shares some Hindu foundations does not follow the caste
system.
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