Reviving the Spiritual Odyssey: Tenth Dhamma Walk Traces Buddha’s Footsteps in Jethian-Rajgir Valley

Rajgir: Devotees of Lord Buddha will soon embark on a sacred journey, retracing his footsteps in the Jethian-Rajgir valley of Nalanda district. The tenth International Dhamma Walk, colloquially known as the “Buddha Walk,” is set to take place on December 13, offering followers a unique opportunity to walk the actual path traversed by Buddha in the sixth century BC.

The 15-kilometer pilgrimage, located 100 kilometers southeast of Patna, is anticipated to draw the participation of hundreds of monks, nuns, and Buddhist devotees from 15 countries. Organized by Nava Nalanda Mahavihara (NNM), the 10th Jethian-Rajgir ‘Dhamma Walk – Walking in the Footsteps of Buddha’ aims to revive the rich history of the Jethian-Rajgir valley.

Jethian holds profound significance in the chronicles of Buddha’s wanderings. According to Buddhist texts, Buddha, during his initial visit to Rajgriha (present-day Rajgir) after attaining enlightenment under the Bodhi tree in Bodhgaya, traversed this path at the invitation of the then Magadha Empire’s king, Bimbisar, around 2500 years ago.

Historically, Buddha walked the streets of Jethian to collect alms during his visit to the valley. The Bihar Government took steps to rejuvenate this path in 2012, a route that has been frequented by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

The inaugural Buddha Walk took place in 2014, orchestrated by NNM and various other Buddhist organizations, with the objective of revitalizing the historical tapestry of the Jethian-Rajgir valley.

The conceptualization of the ‘Buddha-Path’ draws inspiration from the travelogues of Chinese Monk-scholar Xuanzang in the seventh century AD. British archaeologist Alexander Cunningham, in 1871, affirmed the connection between Jethian-Rajgir valley and Buddha, supporting the historical authenticity of the site.

As the Tenth International Dhamma Walk approaches, anticipation is high for a spiritual and cultural odyssey, uniting followers from across the globe in the footsteps of Buddha.