Thuparama
This little elegant stupa was built to enshrine the Buddha's
collar bone. The stupa are surrounded by octagonal pillars that
once supported a dome that sheltered the stupa. Being such a
revered stupa, it had received attention from wealthy patrons and
kings. There are many stories related to this stupa.
Once, there was 2 friends who decided to become monks. They were
ordained in Thuparama. One remained there while the other decided
to live in a "hard life" in a forest monastery. After some years,
the forest monk decided to visit his friend in the city with the
intention to invite his friend to the forest monastery.
When he arrived, he was warmly welcome by his friend and
was given a room. The forest monk expected his friends to bring him
a drinks and food but that didn't happened. Then they went for
their alms round and he expected some good food from the alms round
but had only received a ladle of gruel. When they finished eating,
he asked his friend if it was like this all the time. He was
told it was so.
"Why don't you come and live in the forest monastery with me?"
the forest monk invited. The city monk agreed and was about to
leave when the forest monk stopped him. "I need to collect my
staff, my umbrella, my towel, my scandal, my oil and some other
things before I leave. Don't you have anything to bring?"
"You have only been here for only one day and you have
accumulated so many thing?" the city monk asked. The forest monk
felt ashamed but was happy for his friend. He bowed to his friend
and said "For one like you, everywhere is forest. You should
remain here instead."
