A statue of Maha Kassapa the Great Arahant is taken from Sri Lanka and enshrined in India (video)

Reaffirming the unparalleled bond of Buddhism between Sri Lanka and India, a rare and historic meritorious ceremony took place on February 02, 2026, in the state of Bihar, India. This was the enshrinement of a statue of Arahant Maha Kassapa, who was foremost among the Dhutanga practitioners in the dispensation of Gautama Buddha, from Sri Lanka to the historic Gurupada Mountain, also known as Kukkuṭasampāta Mountain, in India, where he resided.

This great meritorious deed, which brought together the devotion of the Sri Lankan Buddhist people and the sanctity of India's Buddhist heritage, concluded with dignity amidst the resounding 'Sadhu' chants of the Buddhist communities of both countries.

It is mentioned in the history of the Sasana (Buddhist Dispensation) that Arahant Maha Kassapa, who dedicated himself to the long-lasting existence of the Sasana by convening the Dhamma and Vinaya councils many years after the Parinibbana of the Buddha, resides in deep meditative absorption (Samadhi) within this Kukkuṭasampāta Mountain, with the aim of entrusting his body to the Metteyya Buddha who will appear in the world in the future. The enshrinement of a statue from Sri Lanka to such an extremely sacred site is not merely a religious ritual but is considered a very significant milestone for the Sasana. The sight of Sri Lankan monks and devotees carrying this statue with intense devotion along difficult mountain paths to the summit of the mountain was a poignant moment that brought tears to everyone's eyes.

Kukkuṭasampāta Mountain, chosen for this meritorious event, is located in a quiet, serene environment, far from ordinary human settlements. Although climbing this mountain, which consists of rock peaks extending like a rooster's foot on three sides, was difficult, pilgrims participated in this endeavor with great effort due to their immense reverence for Arahant Maha Kassapa. As the morning sun rays fell upon the mountain peak on February 02, the statue brought from Sri Lanka was enshrined at the sacred site, and a large number of lay and monastic individuals participated in the series of special meritorious offerings held there.

Watch the video related to this event ›