This journey begins and ends in Varanasi, close to Sarnath where we shall attend and listen to the Dalai Lama's annual teachings.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama will offer five-days of teachings at Sarnath, where the Buddha gave his first teachings to his first 5 disciples on the Middle Way, the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path and Non-self thereby 'turning the wheel of the law'. We will spend 7 days together attending teachings, having discussion, visiting the Dhamekh stupa, the Deer park and temples of different Buddhist countries. We will also visit the fine archaeological museum, which houses the Ashoka pillar and the Lion capital from the 3rd century BC and the famous teaching Buddha from the 5th century AD.
We will stay at a very comfortable 5 star hotel in Varanasi (6 miles from Sarnath) and go for the teachings each day. In the evenings we will have an opportunity to explore some of the facets of Varanasi, whether it is the 'ghats' on the Ganges where Hindu pilgrims and locals come to perform their rituals including the beautifully choreographed 'aarti' (worship) offering of elements to the goddess Ganga. We will go for a boat ride on the Ganges, walk the ancient alleyways, visit the cremation area and the temples, meet knowledgeable local scholars, teachers, artists, cultural and environmental activists and crafts people. We will also visit silk weaving workshops which use techniques which are over 2500 years old. |
