A recent conversation with Nepali friends who live near Lumbini — the site traditionally accepted as the Buddha’s birthplace — brought up an interesting realization. Even they, raised next to this sacred land, are beginning to question the practicality of the story. Could one man truly have walked such vast distances in ancient times — across the Himalayas, deep forests, and foreign kingdoms?
Let’s take a closer look.
The Long Walks of Siddhartha?
Mainstream Buddhist tradition teaches that Prince Siddhartha was born in Lumbini (Nepal), attained enlightenment in Bodh Gaya (India), preached in Sarnath, and passed away in Kushinagar. Add to that three visits to Sri Lanka, as Sri Lankan texts claim — and you’re looking at thousands of kilometers on foot.
For a royal-turned-wanderer with no army or logistics team, that raises serious questions:
- How could he travel thousands of kilometers by foot through dangerous terrain?
- Where are the traces of these journeys?
- Why are many of the key pilgrimage sites in Sri Lanka more intact than those in India?
The Sri Lankan Alternative
Sri Lanka’s ancient chronicles — including the Mahavansha, Rajavaliya, and Saddharmaratnavaliya — tell a very different story when you study in an open and logical mind:
- The Buddha was born in Theldeniya (Babaragala).
- He attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree at Hiriwadunna.
- His first sermon took place at Isinbassagala.
- He attained Parinirvana at Budugala.
All these sacred places still exist — and they are located within a few hundred kilometers of each other, not thousands.
Let’s Compare the Geography
Traditional Indian/Nepal Locations (Mainstream Theory)
| Event | Location | Distance Between Each Event |
|---|---|---|
| Birthplace | Lumbini (Nepal) | — |
| Enlightenment | Bodh Gaya (India) | ~495 km from Lumbini |
| First Sermon | Sarnath (India) | ~250 km from Bodh Gaya |
| Parinirvana | Kushinagar (India) | ~230 km from Sarnath |
| Total Walked | ~975 km (one-way only) |
Note: Does not include claimed visits to Sri Lanka, which would add over 2,000 km.
Sri Lankan Locations (Alternative Theory)
| Event | Location | Distance Between Each Event |
|---|---|---|
| Birthplace | Theldeniya (Babaragala) | — |
| Enlightenment | Hiriwadunna | ~60 km from Theldeniya |
| First Sermon | Isinbassagala | ~85 km from Hiriwadunna |
| Parinirvana | Budugala | ~140 km from Isinbassagala |
| Total Walked | ~285 km (roundtripable) |
This layout shows how the Sri Lankan route is compact, realistic, and logically aligned with a single human life and ancient travel capabilities — unlike the vast and scattered geography of the Indian theory.
A Story That Defies Distance
In the Mahavansa, it’s recorded that the Naga King Maniakkhitha traveled from Kelaniya to Jetavana and back within a day, and the Buddha visited the next day.
If Jetavana was in India (Sravasti), this would be physically impossible — even today.
But if Jetavana was in Sri Lanka, possibly Ritigala or a now-lost site, the story makes perfect sense.
👉 Another sign that the Buddha’s journey might have taken place closer than we ever imagined.
Read: the full article The Story of Maniakkhitha Naga King
Final Thought
When even those closest to Lumbini begin to question the practicality of these stories, it tells us something deeper: Maybe it’s time to re-explore history with fresh eyes.
At Buddha Of Lanka, we’re not trying to erase history. We’re simply asking: what if the truth was always closer than we thought — hidden in the soil of Sri Lanka?
