The Buddha Footprint Stone - the miracle from Emperor Ashoka's reverence
This is a revered and holy site at Ba Vang Pagoda. Should you seek guidance from the Buddha on the path of wisdom to stay away from all suffering and obstacles of worldly life, sincerely offer your prayer to him so that you can follow in his footsteps, be protected and guided by him to reach a state of happiness and peace.
The Buddha Footprint Stone at Ba Vang Pagoda is a replica of the original located at Bodh Gaya, India, the sacred site where the Buddha attained enlightenment. The size of the footprint on this stone matches precisely that of the original.
Emperor Ashoka had the original stone created after dreaming of the Buddha and learning about the exact shape and size of his footprint. This was a miracle that the emperor received from the Buddha.
Ashoka was a remarkable emperor whose reign in India occurred about 300 years after the Buddha's parinirvana. Having realized the practical values of the Buddha Dharma in educating people, as well as its spiritual sublimity, he aspired for the noble Dharma to be long preserved. He also wanted future generations to remember and revere the Buddha, the Supreme Enlightened One.
Thus, he went to great lengths to restore all the holy relics related to the Buddha's life, particularly through the creation of stone pillars to mark the relics. It was also because of these crucial pillars that the Buddhist holy sites were rediscovered and restored throughout many periods of history, even after religious conflicts.
It was due to Emperor Ashoka's utmost reverence for the Buddha and his wish to benefit many that the Buddha manifested the image of his footprint in Ashoka's dream.
The Buddha Footprint Stone sculpted at Ba Vang Pagoda is to preserve and propagate this image. It also serves as a place for people, Buddhists, and visitors to pay homage, prostrate, and cultivate reverence. Through this act of devotion, one can generate blessings in this life and enjoy lasting happiness across future lifetimes.
