THICH NHAT HANH 2008 INDIA VISIT

Pilgrimage ‘In the Footsteps of the Buddha’ in India: October 20 to October 29

 We have a rare and wonderful opportunity to travel in the company of Thich Nhat Hanh whose inspiring practice of Mindfulness and deep love for the Buddha sets the tone for the journey. Thay who has written the inspiring life story of the Buddha in “Old Path White Clouds” allows us to get to know, experience and realize the Buddha. Accompanying him will be Sister Chan Khong and the other monastics of Plum Village as also Dharmacharya Shantum, who has been leading pilgrimages ‘in the footsteps of the Buddha’ and Thay for the last 20 years.

Together we will visit the actual sites where the historical Buddha lived and taught. Where he attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya. Where he offered his first teachings at the Deer Park at Sarnath. His favourite meditation places such as Vulture Peak and the Bamboo Grove in Rajgir. We will also visit the remains of the famous ancient Buddhist University at Nalanda and the quintessential holy Hindu city of Varanasi on the banks of the Ganges. On our last night of pilgrimage we will celebrate the festival of lights, Diwali. Please do visit www.buddhapath.com for a little more on the significance of each site.

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As we journey we will maintain an attentiveness of practice as on a retreat. Thay and other senior practitioners will share teachings, stories of the Buddha and the practices of daily meditation and mindfulness. In this way the Buddha will come alive not only as a historical person, but also in the here and now as someone who is relevant to our lives today, and a reality that we can awaken to in ourselves and as a sangha.

If you are interested in coming on the journey, please write to Bina Aranha at info@buddhapath.com

(*Bodhi: the tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment in Bodhgaya)