The Journey to the "Middle Land" By U Win Tut Kyaw Very few personalities in this world as we know of have

had such a deep, wide and lasting influence on showing us the way of life, as Siddhattha Gotama, the "Buddha". The path he has led and shown to people has brought the most effective consolation for their sufferings. Buddha had laid down the foundation to lofty humanism and most sensible culture. Moreover, it is in The Middle Land that Buddha had existed. According to the Buddhist Geography, the region which is now in North-Eastern part of India, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh states, together with the adjacent region of Tarai in Southern Nepal, is termed as the Middle Land, in Pali, "Majjhimadesa". It is claimed to be the place where the human society had originate, where the most advance culture developed and profound philosophers had spread their wisdom, and above all, all the Buddhas had and would emerge. It is neither the place too rich and luxurious so that people are not aware of the realities of life, nor it is the place too poor and difficult that people are constantly struggling and suffering. The climate, the vegetation, the living standard, and every state of living are in the middle there. In this Middle Land, Lord Buddha discovered the, Middle Way, "Majjhimapadipada". Of all the places I have been, there is nowhere else in the world but only in the Middle Land I feel most dignified and content to be a human being. It is the place where I feel that the land itself teaches me some noble facts about being a human. People would travel to the Middle Land with different interest. Many would go for pilgrimage, some for spiritual quest, some with historical and cultural interest, some for writing and photography and so on. Whatever the interest, or the race or the belief, the Middle Land would embrace warmly to all. We find that every one of them fits into the land because of the freedom with a cause that applies both physically and spiritually.

Under the Bodhi Tree, at the very spot where Siddhattha had gained enlightenment can be seen, devotees from Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Japan, China, Sri Lanka and all other Buddhist countries meditating, making offerings and chanting sutras; Tibetans chanting and performing the prostration, westerners joining the meditation, observing and taking pictures, Theravada monks, Zen monks and Yogis

from the west meditating, preaching and so on. The entire scene is amazingly dynamic as well as peaceful, brightly colorful as well as absolutely pure, completely occupied but free. Each and every individual is absorbed in his meditation and practice.

The sounds of the chanting of prayers, sutras, and mantras cover the whole area full of big old trees surrounding the great ancient Mahabodhi Temple. Around the great temple are small temples that mark the seven places where Buddha had meditated for seven weeks after enlightenment. The rich verity of the methods of meditation and practices of devotion can be seen and in one place. The sense, peace, wisdom, compassion, appreciation, freedom from suffering and enlightenment cover the place that one becomes overwhelmed with the joy of life in the Middle Land which remains all his life. Just before Lord Buddha entered final Nirvana, he urged his disciples to visit at least once in their lives, the four places where the most important events in his life. " Ananda, there are four places the sight of which will arouse strong emotion in those with faith. Which four places? "Here the Tathagata was born" - this is the first. "Here the Tathagata attained enlightenment"- this is the second. "Here the Tathagata set in motion the Wheel of Dhamma"- this is the third. "Here the Thatagata attained final Nirvana without remainder"- this is the fourth. And the monk, the nun, the layman or the laywoman who has faith should visit these places. And anyone who dies while making a pilgrimage to these shrines with a devoted heart will, at the breaking up of the body at death, be reborn in heaven."

Thus Buddhists believe that by the result of visiting the sacred Middle Land, the door to the hell would be at least shut for them. Throughout the centuries since the time of Buddha, pilgrims from all over Asia had traveled to the Middle Land facing enormous obstacles, risking their lives. In those days, pilgrims from China or Korea crossed the deadly Taklamakan Desert, and climbed over many of the highest mountain ranges in the world. Some took the sea route taking months at sea through storms, pirates, and sickness. Many made it , but most did not but faced death. There were a few who had overcome all the hardships with their strong faith and successfully completed the journey to return home safely. They left valuable historical records of the Middle Land in the far away past. They also strongly declared that because of the visit, their faith became stronger than ever, and the knowledge that they had walked where the Buddha had walked, gave them the highest joy in their lives. But now, thanks to modern ways of travel, one can have lunch at home in Yangon, and be under the shade of Mahabodhi Tree in Bodh Gaya before sunset to meditate. The door to the miserable abode could be shut in any time, if you choose.