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PILGRIMAGE
The vision of the Tathagata Institute is to enrich the world through the teaching of a Buddha, providing supports for the journey of the seeker, and illuminating the path of the practitioner. As we grow, we are exploring various ways of serving Dhamma practitioners, scholars, and those who seek. A valuable way to enrich the world and deepen the awareness of the teachings of a Buddha is to facilitate access to places related to his teaching, his life and the Sangha. |
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Templo Mahabodhi, Bodhgaya, Índia
PILGRIMAGE INDIA / NEPAL BACK TO THE TIME OF BUDDHA GOTAMA
(~ 28 days / ~ 3200km)
Tathāgata Project will organize a pilgrimage to India and Nepal between October 19th and November 10th, 2019. Pilgrims (maximum twenty) will have the opportunity to meditate and visit various places related to the Buddha's path and wisdom.
The eligibility criteria
As the Vipassana meditation taught by S. N. Goenka in the U Ba Khin tradition plays an integral role in this pilgrimage, the minimum requirements of acceptance are:
1. Have sat at least three Vipassana courses of 10 days (not including courses served)
2. Have not practiced any other meditation technique since the last course of 10 days
3. Practice this Vipassana technique for at least one year
4. Try to keep practicing meditation and the five precepts in your daily life
5. Awareness that pilgrimage is not a vacation, but a serious effort that requires physical and mental endurance. The pilgrimage process is very much like a Vipassana course and requires participants to maintain awareness and equanimity at all times, both in the external and in the inner life.
6. Understand that it is the pilgrim's responsibility to endure discomforts and uncertainties that may arise, and also to work the internal "storms" in a balanced and responsible manner. Possibly there will be days accompanied by mental or physical malaise. For this it is essential to rest and relax knowing that this pause will not be a loss, but a necessity for the good progress of the pilgrimage. Forcing beyond the limits is not acceptable, since the results can affect the whole group.
7. Understand that while you are on pilgrimage, limiting speech is advisable. When speech is necessary, it should be limited to questions relating to the journey or discussions related to the Dhamma. This will promote a deeper and more balanced experience.
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What is expected of the participants: # Have their own travel insurance. You can get quotation from World Nomads besides # Be able to travel from / to group # Conduct appropriate to the cultural context # Make suggestion and complete post-pilgrimage research *The most important places to visit are already well defined, but there may be adjustments (anicca) of routes, date, means of transport and lodging. See the map HERE of the important places of visit of the India / Nepal Pilgrimage of the Time of Gautama Buddha. For registration, fill out the form HERE. |
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Costs
The estimated cost of the pilgrimage is 990 (India), 1145 (Sri Lanka) and 1290 (Myanmar) US dollars per person. Including value of lodging, guide, meals (half board), transport. The cost of pilgrimage does not include entrance fees on monuments, personal donations, visas, personal travel insurance, air tickets, or any other expenses incurred outside the pilgrimage period.
If you are able to pay the full fee, in the application process you will have the opportunity to offer a donation to fund some other student who can not afford the full amount.
Anyone who wishes to donate to the Tathagata Institute can do so. These contributions will be used to assist in the costs of volunteers assisting in pilgrimages, and also to provide an additional to those dedicated students in the Dhamma but who still would not be able to pay the full amount.
The estimated cost of the pilgrimage is 990 (India), 1145 (Sri Lanka) and 1290 (Myanmar) US dollars per person. Including value of lodging, guide, meals (half board), transport. The cost of pilgrimage does not include entrance fees on monuments, personal donations, visas, personal travel insurance, air tickets, or any other expenses incurred outside the pilgrimage period.
If you are able to pay the full fee, in the application process you will have the opportunity to offer a donation to fund some other student who can not afford the full amount.
Anyone who wishes to donate to the Tathagata Institute can do so. These contributions will be used to assist in the costs of volunteers assisting in pilgrimages, and also to provide an additional to those dedicated students in the Dhamma but who still would not be able to pay the full amount.
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* ITINERARY OF PILGRIMAGE Crossing India "The Clock of Vipassana Has Struck" U Ba Khin GLOBAL PAGODA, MUMBAI - Oct/19 to Oct/21/2019 10/19/2019: Meeting in the Global Pagoda. 10/20/2019: To visit and 1 day course in the Global Pagoda 10/21/2019: Dana, Visit, Guidance and Meditation at Vipassana Global Pagoda, Mumbai. Complex brange: Dome (pagoda) without pillars for 8000 meditators Dhamma Patana Vipassana Meditation Center Vipassana Research Institute. Visit to Mumbai and ancient Kaneri caves DHAMMAGIRI, IGATPURI - Oct/22 to Oct/24/2019: Dana, visit and meditation in Dhammagiri, Igatpuri. Pioneer Centro Vipassana where S. N. Goenka lived 25 years. In addition to Dhammagiri the complex covers: Vipassana Research Institute Dhamma Tapovana Vipassana Meditation Center U Ba Khin Village. Visit to Igatpuri. Oct/24/2019: Departure by train at dawn to Sanchi. Average journey time 13 hours SANCHI STUPAS 10/25/2019: Visit to the complex of Sanchi Stupas: built by Asoka, there were relics of Sariputta and Moggallana - the two chief disciples of Buddha. Its architecture served as a basis for the current monuments of respect for the Buddha. 10/25/2019: Departure by train at night to Gaya. Average journey time 18 hours. |
Crossing India
GLOBAL PAGODA - DHAMMAGIRI - SANCHI - BODHGAYA Jambudipa - Following the footsteps of the Gotama Buddha
* The most important places to visit are already well defined, but there may be adjustments (anicca) of routes, date, means of transport and lodging.
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Jambudipa - Following in the footsteps of the Gotama Buddha
BODHGAYA
10/27/2019: Visit and join to the group in Dhamma Bodhi Vipassana Meditation Centre.
Morning: visit to the temple and Mahabodhi complex, meditation on the Bodhi tree (exact place where Gotama ascetic became Buddha), walk towards the Museum where the original railings and sculptures are kept
Afternoon: visit to the Sujata temple and stupa, where Sujata offered khir to Bodhisattva Gotama
Evening: meditationa at the Mahabodhi Temple
10/28/2019:
Morning: Meditation on the Bodhi tree
Optional: Gurupa Mountain, where Mahakassapa spent one last time.
After lunch: free time for meditate and shopping
Evening: visit 80 foot buddha statue, different monasteries and meditation in japanese temple.
10/29/2019:
Morning meditation
Visit to Gayāsīsa mountain, also known as brahmyoni, where the Buddha recited the Fire Sermon. After the sermon, hundreds of followers of the Kassapa brothers became arahantas
Afternoon: departure to Rajgir.
NALANDA / RAJGIR
10/29/2019:
Arrival and rest at Jain Veerayatan Convent in Rajgir
10/30/2019:
5h30-6h30: Morning meditation
After breakfast: Visit to the Abutre Peak, Jivaka's mango grove, and the ruins of King Bimbisara's prison and cell.
Evening: visit and evening meditation in the bamboo grove Venuvana (first meditation center donated to Buddha by King Bimbisara).
10/31/2019:
5h30-6h30: Morning meditation
After meal: Visit and meditation in the Saptarni Caves, where the First Council of Monks (500 arahants) was held.
After lunch: departure to Vaishali
Visit to Nalanda (place where Sariputta was born and died. Center of one of the oldest universities in the world). Visit the ruins of Nalanda University and the Xianzang memorial (Ancient monk and Chinese scholar who lived in Nalanda, and was a major responsible for translating and preserving the Buddha's teaching in Chinese).
On the way, according to the time available, visit Patna Shanti Stupa / Patna Vipassana Centre
VAISHALI
10/31/2019: Arrival and rest in Vesali
11/01/2019:
06h30-07h30: Visit and morning meditation in the Park ruins of ancient Sangha, where there is an Ashokan Pillar and Stupa (where Buddha gave his last sermon)
After breakfast: Visit to Vaishali, and one of the eight original ruins of relics built by the Licchavis. Visit the archaeological museum and Shanti Stupa.
Visit Vipassana Meditation Center and Vietnamese Monastery.
After lunch: Departure to Kushinagar
On the way we going to visit Kesariya Stupa, the largest stupa in ancient Asia and site of the ancient Kalamas settlement.
KUSHINAGAR
11/01/2019: Meditation and rest in Kushinagar (place where Buddha gave his last breath).
11/02/2019: Visit and Meditation in the Mahaparinibbana temple, the Ramabhar stupa (mark place of the cremation of Buddha).
11/03/2019: Morning of meditation and departure to Lumbini, Nepal.
LUMBINI, NEPAL
11/03/2019: Morning trip to Nepal. Visit and Meditation in the Ramagrama Stupa and restful afternoon in Lumbini-Nepal (place of birth of Prince Gotama)
11/04/2019: Day of visits and meditation in the Sacred Garden of Lumbini.
11/05/2019: Morning of meditation and dana at the Dhamma Janani Vipassana Meditation Center
Visiting trip to Kapilavastu Nepal (ruins of the palace where Prince Gotama lived and pillars of Asoka celebrating past Buddhas who lived there)
11/06/2019: Morning departure for Shravasti, and on the way, meditation stop at Piprahwa Stupa where Buddha's body relics were found.
SHRAVASTI
11/06/2019: Afternoon of meditation and rest in Shravasti (a region where Buddha spent most of his life and where Anāthapiṇḍika built the Jetavana meditation center for the Buddha in the park that belonged to Prince Jeta).
11/07/2019: Visit and meditation to the monasteries Jetavana and Pubbarama (donation of Mother Visakha to the Buddha), the ancient stupas of Angulimala and Anathapindika, contemplation in the river Rapti (Patacara lost its two children in a flood); meditation, dana and visit to the center Vipassana Dhamma Suvathi
11/08/2019: Morning departure to Sarnath with contemplative stop at Miracle Stupa.
SARNATH
11/08/2019: Arrival in Sarnath.
11/09/2019:
06h:30-07:30:Morning Meditation (We can do it at Deer Park as an option)
Morning Visit to Sarnath (where Buddha gave his first sermon to his five companions of asceticism).
Meditation at Deer Park in Sarnath and Vihara Mūlagandhakutī.
Visit to the archaeological museum. Chaukhandi Stupa. Big Buddha statue.
Lunch at the traditional Bati Chokha Restaurant in Varanasi
Afternoon: Visit Krishnamurti foundation and place where Buddha rested before meeting 5 former companions
Evening: - Ganges boat trip and free time in Varanasi
11/10/2019:
5:30 to 6:30: - Morning meditation at Mahabodhi Temple.
7 am - Breakfast (or going to watch the sunrise in Varanasi and have breakfast)
Afternoon of free time
Final meditation during the sermon Dhammachakka Pavattana Sutta
End of the Pilgrimage.
BODHGAYA
10/27/2019: Visit and join to the group in Dhamma Bodhi Vipassana Meditation Centre.
Morning: visit to the temple and Mahabodhi complex, meditation on the Bodhi tree (exact place where Gotama ascetic became Buddha), walk towards the Museum where the original railings and sculptures are kept
Afternoon: visit to the Sujata temple and stupa, where Sujata offered khir to Bodhisattva Gotama
Evening: meditationa at the Mahabodhi Temple
10/28/2019:
Morning: Meditation on the Bodhi tree
Optional: Gurupa Mountain, where Mahakassapa spent one last time.
After lunch: free time for meditate and shopping
Evening: visit 80 foot buddha statue, different monasteries and meditation in japanese temple.
10/29/2019:
Morning meditation
Visit to Gayāsīsa mountain, also known as brahmyoni, where the Buddha recited the Fire Sermon. After the sermon, hundreds of followers of the Kassapa brothers became arahantas
Afternoon: departure to Rajgir.
NALANDA / RAJGIR
10/29/2019:
Arrival and rest at Jain Veerayatan Convent in Rajgir
10/30/2019:
5h30-6h30: Morning meditation
After breakfast: Visit to the Abutre Peak, Jivaka's mango grove, and the ruins of King Bimbisara's prison and cell.
Evening: visit and evening meditation in the bamboo grove Venuvana (first meditation center donated to Buddha by King Bimbisara).
10/31/2019:
5h30-6h30: Morning meditation
After meal: Visit and meditation in the Saptarni Caves, where the First Council of Monks (500 arahants) was held.
After lunch: departure to Vaishali
Visit to Nalanda (place where Sariputta was born and died. Center of one of the oldest universities in the world). Visit the ruins of Nalanda University and the Xianzang memorial (Ancient monk and Chinese scholar who lived in Nalanda, and was a major responsible for translating and preserving the Buddha's teaching in Chinese).
On the way, according to the time available, visit Patna Shanti Stupa / Patna Vipassana Centre
VAISHALI
10/31/2019: Arrival and rest in Vesali
11/01/2019:
06h30-07h30: Visit and morning meditation in the Park ruins of ancient Sangha, where there is an Ashokan Pillar and Stupa (where Buddha gave his last sermon)
After breakfast: Visit to Vaishali, and one of the eight original ruins of relics built by the Licchavis. Visit the archaeological museum and Shanti Stupa.
Visit Vipassana Meditation Center and Vietnamese Monastery.
After lunch: Departure to Kushinagar
On the way we going to visit Kesariya Stupa, the largest stupa in ancient Asia and site of the ancient Kalamas settlement.
KUSHINAGAR
11/01/2019: Meditation and rest in Kushinagar (place where Buddha gave his last breath).
11/02/2019: Visit and Meditation in the Mahaparinibbana temple, the Ramabhar stupa (mark place of the cremation of Buddha).
11/03/2019: Morning of meditation and departure to Lumbini, Nepal.
LUMBINI, NEPAL
11/03/2019: Morning trip to Nepal. Visit and Meditation in the Ramagrama Stupa and restful afternoon in Lumbini-Nepal (place of birth of Prince Gotama)
11/04/2019: Day of visits and meditation in the Sacred Garden of Lumbini.
11/05/2019: Morning of meditation and dana at the Dhamma Janani Vipassana Meditation Center
Visiting trip to Kapilavastu Nepal (ruins of the palace where Prince Gotama lived and pillars of Asoka celebrating past Buddhas who lived there)
11/06/2019: Morning departure for Shravasti, and on the way, meditation stop at Piprahwa Stupa where Buddha's body relics were found.
SHRAVASTI
11/06/2019: Afternoon of meditation and rest in Shravasti (a region where Buddha spent most of his life and where Anāthapiṇḍika built the Jetavana meditation center for the Buddha in the park that belonged to Prince Jeta).
11/07/2019: Visit and meditation to the monasteries Jetavana and Pubbarama (donation of Mother Visakha to the Buddha), the ancient stupas of Angulimala and Anathapindika, contemplation in the river Rapti (Patacara lost its two children in a flood); meditation, dana and visit to the center Vipassana Dhamma Suvathi
11/08/2019: Morning departure to Sarnath with contemplative stop at Miracle Stupa.
SARNATH
11/08/2019: Arrival in Sarnath.
11/09/2019:
06h:30-07:30:Morning Meditation (We can do it at Deer Park as an option)
Morning Visit to Sarnath (where Buddha gave his first sermon to his five companions of asceticism).
Meditation at Deer Park in Sarnath and Vihara Mūlagandhakutī.
Visit to the archaeological museum. Chaukhandi Stupa. Big Buddha statue.
Lunch at the traditional Bati Chokha Restaurant in Varanasi
Afternoon: Visit Krishnamurti foundation and place where Buddha rested before meeting 5 former companions
Evening: - Ganges boat trip and free time in Varanasi
11/10/2019:
5:30 to 6:30: - Morning meditation at Mahabodhi Temple.
7 am - Breakfast (or going to watch the sunrise in Varanasi and have breakfast)
Afternoon of free time
Final meditation during the sermon Dhammachakka Pavattana Sutta
End of the Pilgrimage.
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Bones of Buddha
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Piprahawa - Kapilvastu
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