A peaceful visit to Global Vipassana Pagoda, Mumbai

A peaceful visit to Global Vipassana Pagoda, Mumbai

(22^nd February 2014)

Hello Mumbaikars! Do you know one of the 7 wonders of Maharastra State, declared by Maharashtra Tourism dept. is in your city? Well, some of my friends, who have been born and brought up in Mumbai, do not know it.

Last weekend a quick instinct made me plan a day out to the Pagoda. Though my plan for the day was to visit my bank for some official paperwork, for which Kapila, a friend of mine sent a reminder message, saying, “Get up, you got to visit your bank today.”  But I have always put paperwork and office tours on my tertiary list, and most of my documents would be made at the last moment when there is no other way, but to get it done on some urgent basis. For example, I had no proof of my being a citizen of this country till I completed my postgraduate and when later everywhere I was asked to produce an ID proof while applying for some exams and all. Hmm.

And on 22^nd Feb. also, I felt like postponing the bank visit to some other Saturday, as soon as the word ‘Golden Pagoda’ started ringing in my head, like an alarm clock. As Deepali and I had got done with the breakfast at 11:00 am, I said,” Hey, just get ready, we will go to Golden Pagoda today.” She wasn’t surprised with the instant planning, as by now she is aware of my impetuous instincts, and said,” OK, let’s go then.” And we both smiled widely at each other.

We boarded the train to Borivali, and from Borivali (w), we hired an Auto to Gorai Khadi, from where we were supposed to take a Ferry ride of 15 minutes towards Essel World. From Essel World, a 5-10 minutes’ walk towards its left took us to the Pagoda. Though you can have a beautiful glimpse of the Pagoda from the Khadi and Ferry ride, but once you reach at the Pagoda gate itself, you just remain awestruck, and admire the massiveness and beauty of the Pagoda from there for few moments, before grasping yourself to enter its premises. Peace prevails there, surrounded by clean environment, which you hardly get to see in Mumbai.

As we go by the story, the Pagoda was a gift or a tribute to India as a sense of gratitude, for being the birth place of Buddhism by Sayagi U Ba Khin, from Mayanmar, founder of Vipassana Meditation tradition of Lord Buddha, and whose Indian student, S.N. Goenka , a Padma Vibhushan was a pioneer in teaching and spreading this tradition in India.

As we walked up and up towards the main Pagoda, we kept stopping at every point, where we got to admire the architectural marvels in the form of Statues, Buddha’s’ relics, huge Prayer bells and Prayer drums with words of Dhamma engraved on the walls. The main pagoda was huge, which could accommodate around 8000 people in it, and which we came to know is the largest dome in the world, made without a single pillar to support it. The height of the Pagoda is 99 mtrs. And there are two other smaller pagodas on its south and north. After we had finished the Parikarma of the main dome, we sat at the nearby garden, with a beautiful fountain and Budha’s Statue, for more than half an hour; meditating, contemplating and washing our polluted spirits clean. ;-)

Then we started descending back and on the way, the direction arrows took us to Video-Audio and Picture galleries, depicting the life stories of Buddha and Vipassana tradition of mediation. It took us around 3 hours to complete the whole chakra of the Pagoda, and at around 4:30 pm, we got out of it with fully satisfied hearts.

To all the Mumbaikars or to others as well, I recommend a visit to the Pagoda, which will take only few hours of your busy schedule, but will give you a soul touching experience of your lifetime. And also, if any of you want to learn Vipassana tradition of meditation, there are courses they provide free of cost.

As for me, I am thinking of taking the 10 day course, once I accumulate my leave balance, which I’ve exhausted by now.

So, here I end the note with the quote of our great teacher, S.N. Goenka ,“ When one experiences truth, the madness of finding fault with others disappear.”

(“It was again an A-Awesome outing. Keep smiling JJJ: Nawi)