Shakyamuni Buddha discovered the truth of overcoming suffering and bringing happiness to the individual, family and society. Before he died, the Buddha suggested that it would be of great benefit to those who are interested in his teachings to make a pilgrimage to the places associated with his life.
We have an opportunity to travel in the company of Shantum Seth, an experienced and renowned guide on the Buddha's path, who has been leading pilgrimages since 1988. A Buddhist scholar and practitioner, he is an ordained Dharma teacher in the Zen tradition of the Vietnamese Master, Thich Nhat Hanh. As we journey, Shantum shares stories and teachings of the Buddha, and the practices of daily meditation and mindfulness. In this way the Buddha comes alive not only as a historical person, but in the here and now, someone who is relevant to our lives today.
Together we visit the actual sites where the historical Buddha was born, spent his childhood, attained enlightenment, taught, meditated and where he passed away. We travel along the fertile plains of the Ganges, beautiful with its mustard and lentil fields, to the lush 'terai' that leads to the foothills of the Himalayas. We visit the remains of ancient monasteries and stupas, museums with exquisite art, living temples and villages that have changed little since the time of the Buddha 2,500 years ago. We take a boat ride, stop at mango groves, visit Hindu temples, Muslim mosques, visit schools, and meet and mingle with pilgrims from all over the world.
The pilgrimage has all the ingredients of a truly memorable journey, widening our perceptions and consciousness. It is an opportunity not only to deepen our knowledge and practice of the Buddha and his teachings but also to get an insight into an India that few penetrate. On this journey we touch a culture and civilization that are both ancient and contemporary. We take an inner and an outer journey through a fascinating and mysterious India.
India herself is a great teacher. Shantum, who has been an advisor to the United Nations Development Program on a number of social development and environmental program in India, shares the underlying structures and subtleties of Indian society so that the travelers get a real sense of our living and ancient cultures. We visit homes of both villagers and city dwellers, and have an opportunity to share ideas and stories with local people. This journey is not only intellectually stimulating, exposing the mind to challenging ideas and diverse lifestyles, but also spiritually transformative.
Normally there are 8-20 people on each journey, which allows for greater individual attention in the context of a supportive sangha and also makes it possible to cater to personal needs and interests.
Led By: Dharmacharya Shantum Seth
For futher information & registration please contact us at info@elevendirections.com
Eleven Directions is 3rd in this august global list (including Plum village and Spirit Rock) of inner journeys in outer spaces. Rating has been done by CNN. Read more...
Pilgrimage Sites >>
Extensions that may be added before and after the Peepal Pilgrimage:
Journey to the East - Touching the Earth: 1st February to 7th February 2015
The Taj Mahal at Agra - 20th February to 21st February 2015
The Exquisite Caves - 22nd February to 24th February 2015
Itinerary
Peepal Pilgrimage 2015: 7th February to 20th February 2015(14 days)
Day 1: 7 February 2015: Begin at 12 Noon. Delhi - Varanasi by air
Day 2: 8 February 2015: Varanasi
Day 3: 9 February 2015: Varanasi- Bodhgaya
Day 4: 10 February 2015: Bodhgaya
Day 5: 11 February 2015: Bodhgaya
Day 6: 12 February 2015: Bodhgaya - Nalanda - Rajgir
Day 7: 13 February 2015: Rajgir
Day 8: 14 February 2015: Rajgir - Vaishali
Day 9: 15 February 2015: Vaishali - Kushinagar
Day 10: 16 February 2015: Kushinagar - Lumbini
Day 11: 17 February 2015: Lumbini
Day 12: 18 February 2015: Lumbini - Kapilavastu
Day 13: 19 February 2015: Kapilavastu - Sravasti
Day 14: 20 February 2015: Sravasti - Lucknow - Delhi by air. Departure
With the Agra Option:
February 20th, 2015 : Sravasti - Lucknow by road and Lucknow- Agra by train
February 21st, 2015: Agra - Delhi by Satabadi train. Agra, journey ends.
With the Caves Option:
February 22nd, 2015: Delhi - Aurangabad by air
February 23rd, 2015: Aurangabad
February 24th, 2015: Aurangabad - Delhi by air. Caves journey ends.
Peepal Pilgrimage 2015 - 1st Half: 7th February to 15th February 2015 (9 days)
Day 1: 7 February 2015: Begin at 12 Noon. Delhi - Varanasi by air
Day 2: 8 February 2015: Varanasi
Day 3: 9 February 2015: Varanasi- Bodhgaya
Day 4: 10 February 2015: Bodhgaya
Day 5: 11 February 2015: Bodhgaya
Day 6: 12 February 2015: Bodhgaya - Nalanda - Rajgir
Day 7: 13 February 2015: Rajgir
Day 8: 14 February 2015: Rajgir - Vaishali
Day 9: 15 February 2015: Vaishali - Patna by road and Patna - Delhi by air. Departure
Peepal Pilgrimage 2015 - 2nd Half: 12th February to 20th February 2015 (9 days)
Day 1: 12 February 2015: Rajgir
Day 2: 13 February 2015: Rajgir
Day 3: 14 February 2015: Rajgir - Vaishali
Day 4: 15 February 2015: Vaishali - Kushinagar
Day 5: 16 February 2015: Kushinagar - Lumbini
Day 6: 17 February 2015: Lumbini
Day 7: 18 February 2015: Lumbini - Kapilavastu
Day 8: 19 February 2015: Kapilavastu - Sravasti
Day 9: 20 February 2015: Sravasti - Lucknow - Delhi by air. Departure
With the Agra Option:
February 20th, 2015 : Sravasti - Lucknow by road and Lucknow- Agra by train
February 21st, 2015: Agra - Delhi by Satabadi train. Agra, journey ends.
With the Caves Option:
February 22nd, 2015: Delhi - Aurangabad by air
February 23rd, 2015: Aurangabad
February 24th, 2015: Aurangabad - Delhi by air. Caves journey ends.
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