Dharmacharya Shantum Seth

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"This wondrous journey opens Dharma door after Dharma door. Led by Shantum Seth, the pilgrimage teaches you through history and living Buddhism what the heart of the Buddha was truly about. Shantum himself is an example of practice, an inspiration and a teacher of grace, kindness and insight. With him, you feel the presence of Buddhism as a living tradition of compassion."
                         - Joan Halifax Roshi, Founding Teacher,
                          Upaya Foundation, USA
 

He was brought up in India and speaks the languages of the areas to be visited. He has also lived in England, the USA and France for fourteen years.

Shantum, after working in the Footwear industry, was invoved in activist politics. For the past 20 years he has been working in the Development sector and is presently an advisor to the United Nations Development Programme on volunteer promotion and on livelihood and tourism programmes. He is also actively involved in Ahimsa Trust which is working on Peace and Development issues.

He has contributed to a number of books including 'Walking with the Buddha', 'I have arrived, I am home', and 'Volunteers against conflict'. He has also been consulted on films including the 'Life of the Buddha' made by BBC/Discovery. He lives with his wife and daughter in New Delhi, India.
 

Since 1988, following a pilgrimage I organised for the Vietnamese Zen Master, Thich Nhat Hanh, I have been organising one or two journeys a year to the sites associated with the Buddha's life.  The groups have been small, the age of participants has ranged from 18 to 81, and have included both Buddhists and non Buddhists.

It is an opportunity to explore areas that few tourists visit and to understand some of the structures and subtleties of Indian life. We go for country walks and visit villages that have changed little since the Buddha's time 2,500 years ago. We visit schools, stop at mango groves for picnics take a boat ride along the Ganges and even shop for silk!

We go at a slower pace than tourists usually do, which allows us to be mindful, have discussions and time for ourselves. At each of the sacred sites I tell stories of the Buddha's life and teachings.

I enjoy each pilgrimage and it would not be an exaggeration to say that all the people who have come so far have found the journey most worthwhile - even transformative. I invite you to join this pilgrimage in the footsteps of the Buddha.
 
Shantum Seth