Buddhapath

In the Footsteps of the Buddha - Zen Peacemakers' 2012 Pilgrimage to India
7th January to 20th January 2012 (14 days)

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 Bernie Glassman and Shantum Seth.

Bernie Glassman:The founder of the Zen Peacemakers, Zen Master Bernie Glassman, evolved from a traditional Zen Buddhist monastery-model practice to become a leading proponent of social engagement as spiritual practice. He is internationally recognized as a pioneer of Buddhism in the West and as a founder of Socially Engaged Buddhism and spiritually based Social Entrepreneurship. He has proven to be one of the most creative forces in Western Buddhism, creating new paths, practices, liturgy and organizations to serve the people who fall between the cracks of society.

Shantum Seth: Dharmacharya Shantum Seth, an ordained dharma teacher, has been leading pilgrimages “In the Footsteps of the Buddha” since 1988, when he organized the pilgrimage for his teacher, Vietnamese Zen Master, Thich Nhat Hanh. Shantum graduated in Development Studies, with his thesis in Gandhian Economics and has been an advisor to the United Nations on volunteering, peace, and social development issues for more than 15 years. He has co-authored books such as Walking with the Buddha and been a consultant for films like BBC-Discovery’s Life of the Buddha and BBC-PBS’s The Story of India.

At each pilgrimage site along the way, Shantum will tell stories of the Buddha’s life and give teachings to help us understand the Buddha as a human being, the drama of his life and the significance of what he taught. We will schedule time for daily sitting and walking meditation, regular discussions, and contemplative time for ourselves. The creation of a traveling sangha will be an important aspect of this trip, giving the journey a greater cohesiveness and building a sense of support for those seeking to deepen their practice.