The
Pilgrim's Page
"Dharma Yatra (Pilgrimage) is very important
for Buddhists. When we visit these sacred sites, we are reminded of the
Master, Lord Buddha. It develops in us a strong sense of compassion. Ideally,
one should be a better person when one returns, otherwise it is not useful,
a waste of money and time."
- The Dalai Lama (In an exclusive interview given for the book 'Walking
With the Buddha', co-authored by Shantum Seth) |
Since 1988, people from different parts of the
world have been on the pilgrimage led by Shantum. Each person has been
touched by this transformative journey. Below are some of their expressions
in the form of a poem or a letter, an article in a magazine or in the form
of a photo sent to us.
Pilgrims, down the years:
A billion people
A million sounds
One hundred monks chanting prayers
Ten serene and sacred places
One simple Master's hut
Which is the greater number?
-
By Rick Rankin, Computer Engineer (Pilgrim 1997)
Steps
His steps lie far beneath our own
Humus has covered brick and stone
The sal-tree's flower, the pipal's leaf
Turns back to soil, mixed with no-grief.
(no-grief = ashok, the tree under which the
Buddha was born)
- Vikram Seth, Writer (Pilgrim 1993)
"It is a rare opportunity to travel through an
India that few tourists visit, led by a guide whose knowledge of his country
- both ancient and modern - is coupled with a keen understanding of the
needs of his guests." -
Anne Cushman, Senior Editor, Yoga Journal (Pilgrim 1993)
Anne with Larry Rosenberg
at Vulture Peak at sunset (Pilgrims 1993)
| "Shantum orchestrates a wonderful trip that touches
the heart of India. Traveling in mindfulness, with a sangha, provides a
support nourishment and spirit that makes the pilgrimage an immeasurable
joy".
-Michael Grossi, Monk, Pilgrim 1997 |
Excerpts from an article on the pilgrimage,
by Vicki Pollard, an ex pilgrim, published by Turning Wheel, Fall 1999
(a Buddhist magazine in the US)
"I am sitting on a hilltop outside of Sravasti, with the other members
of our tour group. The day is coming to a close; the sun is starting
to set. Graceful women in brilliantly colored saris return from working
in the fields; men follow oxcarts filled with hay; cows and goats amble
back to their homes. We can see a great distance, across lush green
fields splashed with yellow mustard and blue coriander. Everywhere
we look is where the Buddha might have walked, 2,500 years ago.
Suddenly I am startled by a bicycle riding across the irrigation dikes.
The bicycle is going the speed of a rocket ship in contrast to everything
else. Anything faster than walking seems too quick. I feel
transported to another time by the slowness of the pace of life.........
"Each of the Buddhist sites we visited had something unique to teach.
Each had it's own tone, it's 
own flavor. Our first major stop was Vulture Peak, a hill upon which
the Buddha liked to teach and watch the sunset. As we slowly climbed
the path, I imagined the Buddha covering the same ground, looking out at
similar trees, breathing similar air. Being in these places, knowing he
had been there, made his presence and the feeling of history so palpable......
"Bodh Gaya is a celebration of Buddhism, a complex, multi-faceted,
huge energy center with fabulous temples from many Asian countries and
practitioners from all over the world. Lumbini, festooned with thousands
of prayer flags, is also a celebration, of a particular moment --
the Buddha's birth. Great joy is radiated around that moment. In
contrast, the celebration in Bodh Gaya, at the Mahabodhi Temple, has more
the feeling of awe, acknowledging lifetimes of practice culminating in
Enlightenment.........
Vicki, the only brave one who
could hold a cobra!
"Every evening, after dinner, our group would gather to share our
"strucks," that which had most struck us during the day. It was a
valuable time for seeing what others had seen, hearing what others had
heard. It also served to bring our group close to each other, as
we each spoke from the depths of our experience........
"Another day, our group went to visit a village just outside Bodh
Gaya. Shantum introduced us to a local family, and we spent a lovely
afternoon having tea with them. They showed us their two room house
- one room was where they slept, the outer room was where their cow slept.
Later I wandered around the village by myself, taking photos, and holding
hands with several of the children who accompanied me everywhere........
"Pilgrimage continues for me, in my inner exploration of what I have
learned from this journey. I come home knowing that I have had an
extremely powerful experience, knowing that I feel different from who I
was before this sojourn, and quite unable to define all that happened for
me. I see changes in myself since I've returned. My eyes
are more open. I am noticing and appreciating nature in a far deeper
way than I ever have. My heart is more open."
| Shantum guided us skillfully through the sacred
ancient sites and also through modern India treating us as friends and
guests. He bridges East and West effortlessly, with great humanity.
The stories of the Buddha's life as we sat in the gardens at Lumbini, strolled
the ruins of Buddha's palace,or watched the sun set on the exact spot where
he died - helped me understand the drama of his life, and the significance
of his teachings."
- Jim Gollin, Financial Advisor,
Pilgrim (1991)
|
From different backgrounds, different places we come
Yet we are all united by being trainees in the Noble Dhamma
All united in our gratitude to Shantum for making this journey
In the footsteps of the Lord Buddha
A true Pilgrimage - a perfect Pilgrimage
- By Joan Hamze (Pilgrim 1992)
Photograph of Shariputra stupa at Nalanda University by
Caroline O'Donoghue (Pilgrim 1996)
Excerpts from a letter of an ex pilgrim:
Dear Shantum,
On a beautiful day sitting in Sarnath, with my fellow travellers................has
led me on a road to much happiness and inner peace. I will always
be grateful to you Shantum because you are truly gifted in creating the
kind of environment where people can safely and gently begin to see themselves
in a new light - as I see it, this is the definition of a great teacher.
.......When we spoke you tried to show me this other side of the
poor people's experience. I couldn't see it at that time but you planted
the seeds that led to my journey of self-discovery. Words can never
express my gratitude to you for beginning an internal journey of the soul
where I began to discover my true self................
Thanks for beginning an inner journey during the outer journey through
the footsteps of the Buddha,. I am forever grateful to you.
| "Throughout the journey Shantum looks after every
detail. Whether it is sorting out tickets, bargaining with shopkeepers,
buying fruit or just choosing a menu. Shantum takes care of it all.
You are then free to concentrate on the pilgrimage and to absorb the atmosphere
of India."
- Robert Bluck, Lecturer, UK (Pilgrims 1991, 1996, 1998) |
In the Footsteps of an Enlightened One......
Through
emerald fields,
Sweetly fragrant
Through dusty towns
teaming with life
Stopping to sit under wise trees
Entering caves, darkly stifling
Climbing peaks, sunset golden
All in the present moment
In each our home.
- John Senette, Anglican Priest (Pilgrim 1999)
Dung
dries by the road ,
Red saris pierce green rice fields
While egrets fly past
In Buddha's footstep
Marble cooled by winter nights
Chills our pilgrim feet.
- By Caroline Bluck, Occupational
Therapist (Pilgrim 1996)
Howard with local children by the Ganges
For information and a free brochure about Shantum Seth's pilgrimages
"In the Footsteps of the Buddha," contact: Bina Aranha, c/o Seth, 309B
Sector 15 A, Noida, 20130,1 India
Email: info@buddhapath.com
Fax: 91-120-2511633 Tel: 91-120-2512162
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