An interesting and historical excursion is in the works…
[quote]On the trail of Buddha’s disciples
Tarannum Manjul, Posted online: Friday, June 16, 2006 at 0000 hrs Print Email
UP: Archaeology dept to undertake 6-month tour of countries visited by disciples
LUCKNOW, JUNE 15:The country may be busy celebrating the 2550th year of Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana, but grey areas abound on how Buddhism spread across the globe after the first sermon at Sarnath.
Which is why the state’s archaeology department has finally decided to track the route taken by Buddha’s disciples—Kumar Jeev, Kashyap and Matang— to spread his message of peace and harmony.
The project, titled “The Buddha Sandesh Yatra”, will span 11 countries. Beginning from Sarnath, the team will travel to Burma, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Afganistan, Pakistan and Tibet.
“We have managed to prepare a map. And we even have a tentative route ready in case there is a problem with Route 1,” said Dr Rakesh Tiwari, director of UP State Archaeology Department (SAD).
Dr Tiwari, who has conceptualised the project, said: “Whatever we know about Buddhism’s reach and the trade and cultural relations it facilitated, is through the accounts of travellers like Fa Hein and Huen Tsang. But how many of us are aware that after the first sermon at
Sarnath, several of Buddha’s disciples, which included prime disciples like Kumar Jeev, Matang and Kashyap, went across the world following his instructions to spread the message of peace.’’ (more at link)
indianexpress.com/story/6554.html[/quote]