Sharing the Buddha’s Journey

A 10-day pilgrimage following in the footsteps of the Buddha through northern India and Nepal. October 12-22, 2024

SOLD OUT! (waitlist open)

“Buddhist pilgrimage is as ancient as Buddhism itself. Indeed, it was Buddha Shakyamuni who made the first such pilgrimage, revealing to us the importance of visiting sacred sites. The Ghatikara Sutra, for instance, tells a story in which the Buddha was delighted upon arriving at a site where the previous Buddha Kashyapa had been before him. The location itself evoked a potent recollection for Buddha Shakyamuni of the previous Buddha Kashyapa’s presence there. The Buddha’s main disciples beseeched the Buddha to take a seat; they wanted him to impress the site with his own bodily presence, just as Kashyapa had done before. This episode teaches us that sacred sites themselves have power and can trigger rich experiences that aid us along the spiritual path. It also teaches us that a buddha’s appearance at a particular site imbues it with a specific power, or flow of blessings, a lasting imprint, a mark of the sacred.” 
–from nekhor.org

Your journey will begin in Kathmandu, where you will receive teachings and an orientation from one or more of the senior monks at the Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery.  Then together we will fly to Varanasi to experience a beautiful aarti, an offering of light along the Ganga. From there we step onto the path of the Buddha to explore and experience the four most sacred places in all of Buddhism–where Buddha Shakyamuni was born, became enlightened, gave his first teachings and left his body (i.e., died by taking parinirvana).

Sarnath

The serene place where the Buddha gave his first teachings after his awakening—including the 4 Noble Truths—known as the First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma

Bodhgaya

Home to the magnificent Mahabodhi Temple and its sacred bodhi tree where the Buddha reached enlightenment — here you see your hosts, Bidur, Cory & Sarah in front of the temple (and as you can tell, so happy to be there!)

Kushinagar

Where the Buddha gave his last teaching before he left his body and entered the state of parinirvana

Lumbini

Back to Nepal and the uplifting birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama who went on to become the buddha of our age — Buddha Shakyamuni

Our Days Will Include

  • Sunrise group meditation practice at each of these sacred sites

  • Walking amongst the sacred ruins of Buddhism’s greatest masters, temples and universities

  • Exploration of the mesmerizing architecture and artwork that spans many centuries or Buddhist practice and culture

  • Travel across the Ganges and amongst the rural villages of this fascinating arid landscape

  • Culinary delights of India and Nepal! 

  • Yoga asana practice to keep our bodies and hearts open to all we will be experiencing

  • Free time to explore your own practice 

  • Authentic teachings from Buddhist monks and nuns in both Nepal and India

  • Interaction with Buddhist practitioners from all over the world!

This journey is for those seeking to deepen their spiritual practice and connect with powerful, sacred spaces to inspire the mind and uplift the heart. The experience is tailored to those interested in learning more about Buddhism and how to incorporate Buddhist teachings into everyday life.

You will visit:

Kathmandu

Home to the village of Boudha and it’s 40,000 Tibetans and 50+ monasteries surrounding the great Boudhanath Stupa

 the ancient sacred place on the Ganges River where countless generations of Vedic/Hindu peoples have celebrated the end-of-life at it’s world renowned ghats

Varanasi

Near Varanasi this is the place where the Buddha Shakyamuni offered his first teachings on The Four Noble Truths – the foundation of Buddhism

Sarnath

Bodhgaya

Home to the beautiful Mahabodhi Temple and the Bodhi Tree where the Buddha reached awakening (attained enlightenment)

Kushinagar

The place where the Buddha took his final rest and released into parinirvana – the final liberation from samsara

Lumbini

Back into Nepal where to the joyous place where the Buddha was born – a massive temple complex surrounding the Mahadevi Temple that contains the sacred stone upon which the Buddha entered this world

ACCOMODATIONS

  • Hotel Lotus Gems - Kathmandu

  • Hotel Temple Ganges - Varanasi

  • Tergar Monastery Guesthouse - Bodhgaya

  • The Royal Residency - Kushinagar

  • Buddhamaya Garden - Lumbini

We will be waiting for you on arrival at the Kathmandu airport and from that point on you will be taken care of. As we travel through India together, our local guides will ensure you get to experience the colors, flavors and sounds of India safely and in comfort. 

As you can see we cover a lot of ground! As mentioned, we’ll start the journey in Kathmandu and then we’ll fly together to Varanasi in the Bihar State of India. From there we’ll drive to Bodhgaya (~6 hours); then Bodhgaya to Kushinagar (~8 hours); Kushinagar to Lumbini (~4 hours); and finally a short flight from Lumbini back to Kathmandu.

“The Buddha himself advised future generations of his disciples to go on pilgrimage to the places where he had lived and taught, especially Lumbini where he was born, Bodhgaya where he attained perfect Enlightenment, Sarnath where he set the wheel of the Dharma in motion, and Kushinagar where he left this world.” –Eric Dezert (K. Shenpen)

How much does it cost?

$2,950 (USD) - shared room
(note, if you do not have a roommate we will do our best to pair you with one; however, if that’s not possible you’ll need to pay the private room rate).

$3,750 (USD) - private room

$600 Reserve your spot with a nonrefundable* deposit.

Includes: The cost of the pilgrimage covers most expenses (including lodging, domestic transport and meals.)  We’ll even take care of your flight from Kathmandu to Varanasi. 

Excludes:  It does not include your airfare to/from Kathmandu and your Nepal and India entry Visas.

Final payments due August 15, 2024.

Program Costs do not include: air fare to and from Kathmandu, airport or departure taxes not included in your air ticket, visa fees, additional hotel nights before or after scheduled program dates, unscheduled activities and excursions, soft drinks, alcohol and espresso drinks, phone calls, massage services, shopping, laundry or other personal expenses, additional meals, drinks, snacks, and travel insurance.

*We understand that sometimes unforeseen circumstances result in the need to cancel; however, deposits help us maintain operations and prepare for upcoming pilgrimages. As such we offer the following caveats:

  • If you cancel at least 3 months prior to the start date of the trip we will:

    • Refund 50% of your deposit; or 

    • Apply 75% forward toward the deposit for a future offering.

If within the 3 month window for the pilgrimage that you originally booked the deposit is 100% nonrefundable.

for Sharing the Buddha’s Journey, October 12-22, 2024

Registration