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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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Shwedagon Pagoda, Myanmar
PILGRIMAGE to INDIA - MYANMAR - INESTIMABLE HERITAGE OF DHAMMA. (~21 days / ~ 3500 Km)
The Tathagata Project will organize a pilgrimage to Vipassana meditatdors.
Pilgrims will have the opportunity to visit and meditate in sacred places in India and Myanmar - the Holy Land of Dhamma - in the time of the Buddha was called Suvannabhumi Gold). We will visit and meditate in places related to the trajectories of Buddha and the masters Venerable Ledi Sayadaw (Monywa), Saya Thetgyi (Pyaw Bwe Gyi), Sayagyi U Ba Khin (Yangon), Webu Sayadaw (Ingyinbin) and SN Goenka (Mandalay) who have passed us Inestimable Heritage of Dhamma.
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.
Costs
The estimated cost of the pilgrimage is US$ 1290 per person. Throughout the pilgrimage period it included lodging and DANA for the groupm meals (half board), transportation, entrance fees and guide fees. The cost of the pilgrimage does not include personal donations, visa, personal travel insurance, airfare cost to / from India and Myanmar, nor any other expenses incurred outside the period of pilgrimage.
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.
For those who can not afford the full fees, in the application process you will be asked to tell how much you can give.
Anyone who wants to donate to our Pilgrimage Fund is welcome to do so. These contributions will be used to cover the costs of volunteers who help us carry out the pilgrimages, and also to provide additional help to those who can not afford the full pilgrimage rate.
The Tathagata Project will organize a pilgrimage to Vipassana meditatdors.
Pilgrims will have the opportunity to visit and meditate in sacred places in India and Myanmar - the Holy Land of Dhamma - in the time of the Buddha was called Suvannabhumi Gold). We will visit and meditate in places related to the trajectories of Buddha and the masters Venerable Ledi Sayadaw (Monywa), Saya Thetgyi (Pyaw Bwe Gyi), Sayagyi U Ba Khin (Yangon), Webu Sayadaw (Ingyinbin) and SN Goenka (Mandalay) who have passed us Inestimable Heritage of Dhamma.
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.
Costs
The estimated cost of the pilgrimage is US$ 1290 per person. Throughout the pilgrimage period it included lodging and DANA for the groupm meals (half board), transportation, entrance fees and guide fees. The cost of the pilgrimage does not include personal donations, visa, personal travel insurance, airfare cost to / from India and Myanmar, nor any other expenses incurred outside the period of pilgrimage.
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.
For those who can not afford the full fees, in the application process you will be asked to tell how much you can give.
Anyone who wants to donate to our Pilgrimage Fund is welcome to do so. These contributions will be used to cover the costs of volunteers who help us carry out the pilgrimages, and also to provide additional help to those who can not afford the full pilgrimage rate.
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What is expected of the participants:
For registration, fill out the form. |
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*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 above the important places of visit of the Pilgrimage in Myanmar - Invaluable Heritage of Dhamma. For registration, fill out the form. |
*ITINERARY OF PILGRIMAGE - 2019
November 12th to December 03th November 11-13th: SARNATH Place where Buddha gave his first sermon to the five companions of renunciation and asceticism. Visiting Vipassana Meditation Center and Dhammek Complex exactly place from the Dhammacakkapavatana sermon (first sermon of Buddha) November 13-15th: BODHGAYA Bodhgaya Gaya district is the place where Prince Gotama became Buddha. Visiting Vipassana Meditation Center and Mahabodhi Complex exactly place of Gotama enlightenment. * Flight to Yangon * There is direct flight from Bodhgaya to Yangon via India Airlines but each student can look for the best option for themselves and buy on their own. Meeting will be hold at Dhamma Joti Vipassana Center, Yangoon. November 15-19th: YANGON Meditation and Visiting places connected with the life of Sayagyi U Ba Khin and Saya Thetgyi. Shwedagon built in the time of the Buddha to house his hair. International Meditation Center (IMC) was where S N Goenka received Vipassana. Pyaw Bwe Gyi small farming village where Saya Thetgyi was born and went on to teach Vipassana. Sayagyi U Ba Khin took his first course. November 20-23rd: MANDALAY Where Goenkaji was born and staged the first meeting of U Ba Khin and Webu Sayadaw. Mahamuni Temple where Goenkaji used to go accompanied by his grandfather. November 24-27th: MONYWA Life of Ledi Sayadaw (1846 - 1923) Saya Thetgyi learned Vipassana through Ledi Sayadaw Nov/28th to Dec/02nd: INGYINBIN AND SHWEBO Life of Webu Sayadaw (1896 - 1977) Sayagyi U Ba Khin became a monk in a 10-day self-course under the eyes of Webu Sayadaw 2 or 3 days Vipassana Course. December 02nd: RETURN TO MANDALAY THRU SAGAING HILL Metta and End of the Pilgrimage. |
Text from SN Goenka's letter to the pilgrims given to Vipassana students accompanying him in Myanmar in January 2000 and December 2004.
My dear sons and daughters in Dhamma,
I am so happy that all of you are coming with me to visit Myanmar (Burma). A visit to Myanmar has always given me so much joy, so much happiness. Myanmar is not only my homeland, but also the country that gave me the invaluable jewel of Dhamma.
It is the land of my revered teacher Sayagyi U Ba Khin and the chain of teachers who kept Dhamma in its original purity. We all give respect to this land of Dhamma.
We pay homage to the Buddha who completed the enormous paramis through countless lives and achieved perfect self-enlightenment to show us the path of liberation.
We pay respect to the Sangha who kept the Dhamma in its pure form through the centuries. We are very grateful to all the holy monks. The only way to respect the Buddha and the Sangha is to actually walk the path of the Dhamma.
You will find wonderful vibrations of Dhamma throughout Myanmar, but the holy places you are going to visit will still have stronger Dhamma vibrations. May you meditate there and be inspired to walk more in the path of Dhamma.
A word of caution will not be out of context here. This is a Dhammic pilgrimage and not an entertainment or an investigative walk. Each practitioner should take care not to get involved in any discussion of the socio-political situation in Myanmar. Even innocent and inadvertent questions should be avoided on such issues. We have the example of the Buddha before us. Over the forty-five years of his incessant efforts to spread Dhamma, he carefully avoided any involvement in political matters. As sons and daughters of Buddha, we must also be careful. We have all come here to show our gratitude, to pay respect, to give metta, to get inspiration and wish all the best for the well-being and prosperity of Myanmar. I am sure that your behavior throughout the trip will be consistent with a Vipassana meditator.
May you be happy, peaceful, and liberated.
With all my metta,
S. N. Goenka
My dear sons and daughters in Dhamma,
I am so happy that all of you are coming with me to visit Myanmar (Burma). A visit to Myanmar has always given me so much joy, so much happiness. Myanmar is not only my homeland, but also the country that gave me the invaluable jewel of Dhamma.
It is the land of my revered teacher Sayagyi U Ba Khin and the chain of teachers who kept Dhamma in its original purity. We all give respect to this land of Dhamma.
We pay homage to the Buddha who completed the enormous paramis through countless lives and achieved perfect self-enlightenment to show us the path of liberation.
We pay respect to the Sangha who kept the Dhamma in its pure form through the centuries. We are very grateful to all the holy monks. The only way to respect the Buddha and the Sangha is to actually walk the path of the Dhamma.
You will find wonderful vibrations of Dhamma throughout Myanmar, but the holy places you are going to visit will still have stronger Dhamma vibrations. May you meditate there and be inspired to walk more in the path of Dhamma.
A word of caution will not be out of context here. This is a Dhammic pilgrimage and not an entertainment or an investigative walk. Each practitioner should take care not to get involved in any discussion of the socio-political situation in Myanmar. Even innocent and inadvertent questions should be avoided on such issues. We have the example of the Buddha before us. Over the forty-five years of his incessant efforts to spread Dhamma, he carefully avoided any involvement in political matters. As sons and daughters of Buddha, we must also be careful. We have all come here to show our gratitude, to pay respect, to give metta, to get inspiration and wish all the best for the well-being and prosperity of Myanmar. I am sure that your behavior throughout the trip will be consistent with a Vipassana meditator.
May you be happy, peaceful, and liberated.
With all my metta,
S. N. Goenka
