Dear Dharma Friend,
If you are already in India or are planning to visit Bodhgaya, I warmly invite you to join me in one of these upcoming pilgrimages in and around Bodhgaya.
As Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche explains:
Pilgrimage needs faith. More faith, more happiness. Otherwise we are just like tourists looking at ruins. Pilgrimage is not just going to holy places and taking pictures. We go to holy places for blessings so its good to do practices at the different holy places.
We will visit some of the most holy sites including:
- Mahabodhi Temple and the Bodhi Tree, where Shakyamuni Buddha attained enlightenment
- Gurupada, associated with Arya Asanga and Mahakasyapa
- Vultures Peak, where Buddha Shakyamuni taught many sutras, including the Prajnaparamita (the Perfection of Wisdom) Sutra
- Nalanda ruins, founded in the 5th century, said to be one of the earliest and largest monastic universities in the world
- Venu Vana, the Bamboo Grove, where the Buddha used to meditate and interact withhis disciples
- Mahakala Cave, where the Buddha-to-be performed austerities
- Sujata, the place where a young girl named Sujata, offered rice curd to the ascetic Gautama to break his extreme fast before he went to sit under the Bodhi Tree.
On the last day, we will visit some of the magnificent local temples around Bodhgaya, including Tergar monastery, Tara Devi, the Japanese Zen temple, the Thai temple, the Bhutanese temple and the 84 foot high statue of Shakyamuni Buddha.
At each place you will be given important information about each one and led in relevant meditation and practices.
Join us as we cultivate faith and devotion in the Land of Enlightenment and receive blessings from all these precious holy sites.
Warmly,
annie mcghee
