Each winter, Dharma Teacher, Shantum Seth leads journeys "In the Footsteps of the Buddha". The next dates are:   

1. *BODHI PILGRIMAGE                           20th October 2008 to 29th October 2008                                  Spaces available
  organised by Ahimsa Trust 
 "In the Footsteps of the Buddha"                                 (10 days)
   with Thich Nhat Hanh, Sister Chan Khong,
   the Plum village monks and nuns and
   Dharmacharya Shantum Seth   
                                                                                      
This very special pilgrimage to three of the Buddhist sites, Rajgir, Bodhgaya and Sarnath comes towards the last section of Thich Nhat Hanh or Thay’s visit to India, and is being organised by the non-profit organisation, Ahimsa Trust, which works on Mindfulness and Education in India. We have a rare and wonderful opportunity to travel in the company of Thich Nhat Hanh whose inspiring practice of Mindfulness sets the tone for the journey. Since Thay will only be able to stay in India till the 29th of October, we will be visiting  Rajgir, Bodh Gaya and Sarnath with him. Accompanying him, will be Sister Chan Khong and other monastics of Plum Village as also Dharmacharya Shantum Seth.

2.*PEEPAL PILGRIMAGE                       19th February 2009 to 7th March 2009                                      Spaces available 
"In the Footsteps of the Buddha"                                   (17 days)
 with Dharmacharya Shantum Seth                                                                                       

Besides the above, Shantum Seth leads "In the Footsteps of the Buddha" pilgrimages twice a year for sanghas, museums, universities, alumni etc. If you are part of a group of at least 16 people who would like to come, we would be happy to organize a separate pilgrimage to suit your time                      

* Bodhi/Peepal - the tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment

OTHER JOURNEYS

1.  JOURNEY TO THE WEST                 8th  March to 12th March 2009                                                  Spaces Available 
 Exploring the spectacular caves of                                (5 days)  
Ajanta and Ellora
(Details given below on this page)                     

 2. DHARAMSHALA Retreat                   12th March to 21st March 2009                                                 Spaces Available
  with Dharmacharya Shantum Seth                                  
To attend the annual teachings                                     (10 days) 
of His Holiness the Dalai Lama         
(Details given below on this page)                     

                                Some of the pilgrims with Shantum in Nalanda
 
 

One of the things you are most likely to observe in India is how everyday life is entwined with the spiritual, and the mundane jostles comfortably alongside the more esoteric aspects of life. This sets the tone for our pilgrimages, where we will see India embrace diversity with one foot firmly grounded in time honored traditions and all that is sacred, and the other fervently striding into the e-age. Nothing in this country is ever quite predictable; the only thing to expect is the unexpected, which comes in many forms and will always want to sit next to you!

1.  JOURNEY TO THE WEST                                              8th March to 12th March 2009                                        Spaces Available 
 Exploring the spectacular caves of                                                              (5 days)  
Ajanta and Ellora

This journey visits the awe-inspiring paintings at the famous Buddhist caves at Ajanta, situated near Aurangabad.  Beginning in the 2^nd century BC and continuing for 900 years, twenty six caves were chipped out of a horseshoe shaped cliff.  The early followers of the Buddha created an isolated haven, shrouded in the darkness of the caves where they could meditate in peace.   The exquisite Buddhist paintings and sculptures created by using simple tools in the glow of lamps rank among the world's most important cultural treasures and has been declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Although the Jataka tales form the main theme of the paintings, also depicted are scenes from contemporary courtly life all demonstrating a startling degree of sophistication.   In the Ajanta paintings we see the brilliant union between sacred and secular art.

 Nearby is Maharashtra state's most phenomenal ancient monument, the Ellora caves which carried on the legacy of Ajanta from the 7th century AD and was subjected to Buddhist, Jain and Hindu influences.   The sculptures at Ellora are massive in form and the entire spectrum of carvings pulsates with life and energy. The phenomenal rock cut Hindu temple of Kailash which is carved out of a hillside is the world's largest monolith is the site's principal attraction. Ellora too, is a World Heritage site declared by UNESCO.

2.  DHARAMSHALA Retreat           12th March to 21st March 2009      Spaces Available 
with Dharmacharya Shantum Seth
To attend the annual teachings                                (10 days) 
of His Holiness the Dalai Lama         

This journey takes us to Dharamshala to attend and listen to the Dalai Lama's annual teachings each day and explore the Tibetan culture in exile.

We will spend 10 days together, attending teachings, keeping a mindfulness practice, having discussions, taking walks in the Rhododendron forests, getting an exposure to Tibetan culture and society, appreciating the natural beauty of the area surrounded by the white mountains of the Himalayas. All this while living in the guest-home run by the Dalai Lama’s brother and sister-in-law and/or the home-hotel of the local Maharaja. We will take walks in the hills surrounded by snow-capped peaks and in the evenings come back to a log fire in the home where the Dalai Lama’s mother lived. 

We maintain the spirit of attentiveness and discuss the teachings to gain a deeper and collective understanding of them. Each year we have had the opportunity to meet with the Prime Minister of the Tibetan Government-in-exile and a number of senior monks and teachers. We explore the arts and cultural centre set up by His Holiness, the monastery of the 'Oracle', and experience many magical moments that manifest in a pilgrimage like this in India.  
 
We are sure it will be another wonderful and fulfilling immersion into the living Dharma and an opportunity to visit a beautiful part of the Himalayas 
 

For more information on the pilgrimage please get in touch with info@buddhapath.com    or our contact points. Please click on any of the following:
 

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