Buddhapath (Eleven Directions) is 3rd in this august global list (including Plum village and Spirit Rock) of inner journeys in outer spaces. Rating has been done by CNN. Read more...
VIETNAM: RETURN TO THE SOURCE & CAMBODIA: HEAVEN ON EARTH
(Open dates ...)
Vietnam: 'Return to the Source': Visit Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, Hội An and Ho Chi Minh City (Beginning in Hanoi and ending in Ho Chi Minh City)
Cambodia: 'Heaven on Earth': Explore the magnificent fusion of Buddhist and Hindu sacred architecture in Angkor (Beginning and ending in Siem Reap):
It has been 30 years since we began offering pilgrimages 'In the Footsteps of the Buddha', as a response to a request from Ven. Thich Nhat Hanh. He mentioned to me on more than a couple of occasions that I should offer a pilgrimage to Vietnam. I visited Vietnam a number of times, and was enchanted by its haunting beauty. Finally, as our 30th anniversary journey, I have decided to offer a journey titled 'Return to the Source' as homage to him, and as many former pilgrims have requested a journey to Vietnam.
Vietnam and its people have always held a special connection for me, right from the days of the Vietnam/American war when the seeds of peace activism were watered in me. Also, since I met Thich Nhat Hanh in 1987 I felt I owed a great debt of gratitude to Vietnam and its culture, for maintaining and developing the Buddha Dharma from possibly the 3rd century BCE, in a way that would speak to me from the land of the Buddha in the 20th century.
As on previous journeys our time will be divided between visits to historical and cultural sites with dedicated periods for meditation. The pilgrimage is thus a “retreat on the road”, which will give us the chance to form a temporary community (sangha) as well as to spend time in quiet reflection.
We shall witness an ancient and living Buddhist culture on this fascinating pilgrimage through Vietnam. We shall meet some of its skilled teachers, who are known to me and experience how Buddhism is engaged with social and educational organisations within a single party socialist republic.
The journey will begin in the capital city of Hanoi with its ancient temples and shaded boulevards, from where we will take an overnight cruise on the emerald waters between the limestone islands of Halong Bay. Next we fly to the imperial city of Hue which is situated on the Perfume river. We will visit the Tu Hieu Pagoda where Thich Nhat Hanh entered as a novice at the age of 16 and was ordained as a Dharma teacher. We will visit the coastal city of Hội An, with its beautiful beaches and its well-preserved ancient town with Vietnamese and colonial architecture, that was declared a heritage city by UNESCO. From there we will take a day trip to Mỹ Sơn, which is a cluster of abandoned Hindu temples constructed between the 4th and the 14th century CE by the kings of Champa. We shall fly to the 'high octane city of commerce and culture‘, Ho Chi Minh City, from where we will make excursions to the Cu Chi Tunnels, the infamous underground city for Viet Cong soldiers during the Vietnam War and the Mekong Delta where we will take a boat ride around the floating market. We shall have a closing ceremony for the Vietnam leg of the journey, while some of us will continue onwards, flying to Siem Reap in Cambodia to explore the ruins of Angkor for 4 days.
The Angkor complex fuses sacred Buddhist and Hindu religious architecture, and is supposed to be an earthly representation of heaven. It was built between the 9th and 15th century CE and is an extensive UNESCO World Heritage site which includes Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, the Bayon Temple and many other temples with countless sculptural decorations. Angkor Wat, at the heart of Khmer identity, and is even featured on the flag of Cambodia.
As with all our journeys, this pilgrimage too will be undertaken in an ecumenical and secular spirit and welcomes Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike.
SAMPLE ITINERARY*
Day |
TRAVEL |
NIGHT STAY |
1 |
Pilgrimage starts. Hanoi. Orientation 12 noon. |
Hanoi |
2 |
Hanoi |
Hanoi |
3 |
Hanoi – Halong Bay by road. Overnight cruise |
Halong Bay Cruise |
4 |
Halong Bay – Hanoi by road |
Hanoi |
5 |
Fly from Hanoi - Hue |
Hue |
6 |
Hue |
Hue |
7 |
Hue |
Hue |
8 |
Hue - Hoi An by road |
Hoi An |
9 |
Hoi An - My Son - Hoi An by road |
Hoi An |
10 |
Drive to Danang. Fly Danang - Ho Chi Minh City |
Ho Chi Minh City |
11 |
Ho Chi Minh City |
Ho Chi Minh City |
12 |
Ho Chi Minh City |
Ho Chi Minh City |
13/1 |
Departure.
For Cambodia Extension: FlyHo Chi Minh City - Siem Reap |
Siem Reap |
2 |
Siem Reap |
Siem Reap |
3 |
Siem Reap |
Siem Reap |
4 |
Departure |
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*there could be minor changes in the itinerary
TO REGISTER
A non-refundable deposit of US$500 per person is required at the time of booking.
CANCELLATION
For cancellations received up to eight weeks before the commencement of the journey only the deposit will be forfeited. Cancellations received less than eight weeks will be 100% of the total cost.
REGISTRATION FORM
Each pilgrim must complete this form in full, and send (email is fine) with a non-refundable deposit of $500 per pilgrim to:
Ms Bina Aranha
Buddhapath/Eleven Directions
309-B, Sector 15A
Noida 201 301, India
Tel: +91-120-4334284; 2511633; 2512162; 2512162
Email: info@buddhapath.com
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