Kushinagar

Kushinagar

Arriving in Kushinagar, we stopped to view the Mahaparinirvana Stupa and Nirvana Temple.

We stopped at the Ramabhar Stupa, where Buddha's remains were excavated. We circumambulated this stupa and came upon a group chanting. 

We stayed at the Lotus Nikko Hotel in Kushinagar. It was a cold room, but we were given two blankets and a space heater to keep us somewhat warm.

The next morning, the film crew did some interviews with monks during the morning light.

Kushinagar had the most intense beggars we encountered during the trip (other than the maimed beggars at Sarnath). A group of children began singing right in front of the bus door. They were given some leftovers from our lunches.

The next day, it was a woman holding a baby who sat in front of the bus door. All of these people were from two families and as the children begged the father looked on. The mother, who was pregnant with at least her third child, slyly handed a rupee note to the father who then bought some food and didn't share any with the toddler at his feet. 

Hearing these children beg, I couldn't help but notice how practiced this was and how this was their life. If you made eye contact, they would immediately drop into their roles, including the coughing and sign language for food or money or pointing to the baby they were holding. There "hello's" didn't seem friendly, maybe because they were followed by "10 rupees" or something like that. It made me very sad to see these children not in school or not learning a trade.

In contrast, we passed through many villages where the children were genuinely happy to see us and would wave to us. Their "hellos" and smiles were friendly and sincere and I would always try to wave back. Sometimes, I would look up and see a pre-teen girl standing by herself on some rooftop or balcony. I would always wave or smile at her and her face would light up with a beautiful smile or friendly wave back!