Note: Our tour will be led by Richard, an experienced Western pilgrim who has traveled overland from Europe to Nepal in 1971. He has extensively studied and practiced the Buddhist traditions of Nepal, India, Burma, and Tibet during his visits.
Nepal is a country that is steeped in both Buddhist and Hindu spiritual traditions. It is believed that previous Buddhas blessed the land from a Buddhist perspective. For example, the Swayambhunath Temple has its roots in a seed that was thrown by a previous Buddha, as recorded in the “Swayambhu Purana.” The Kathmandu valley was formed when a lake was drained by the Bodhisattva Manjusri, leading to the development of a great civilization, both culturally and spiritually.
Buddhist practices have thrived alongside Hindu traditions throughout Nepal’s history. The two share several aspects, having originated from India and spread to Nepal, Tibet, China, and the Asian world. Lumbini, located in Nepal, is where Prince Siddhartha, later known as The Buddha, took his first steps in this world.
Over the centuries, countless pilgrims have visited the great spiritual and sacred power places of Buddhist and Hindu heritage. These traditions still flourish today and have a positive influence on our planet. We can visit these places to pay our respects, offer devotion, and receive blessings and connections to those places. This opportunity allows us to enrich our own spiritual nature and inherent wisdom nature.
This tour will allow us to explore the rich Buddhist traditions of Nepal and discover how the spiritual and cultural practices of these sacred sites can relate to our own spiritual practice and our lives in this modern world. We will learn standard Buddhist practices such as “calm abiding, awareness meditation,” “samata, vipassana,” and the short Mahamudra view relating to the nature of the mind. This will be presented as short instructions with short meditation sessions.
This isn’t a normal pilgrimage journey to the incredible Buddhist temples situated in this breathtaking Himalayan country. What we provide is more than just a journey; it is an opportunity to obtain important knowledge about Buddhism and how to apply its teachings to your daily life. You’ll travel to cultural places and spiritual places where Buddhism’s rich traditions and meditation practices initially occurred.
Furthermore, there will be an opportunity to connect online with Richard to assist in follow-through at places in one’s own country. This pilgrimage and instruction are open and appropriate to both established dharma practitioners and new or interested participants. Join us on this unique tour of major pilgrimage places in Nepal and share in its rich spiritual heritage.
The Buddhist pilgrimage site is more than just a destination; it is a life-changing experience. It provides a unique combination of exploration and reflection due to its rich history, spiritual depth, and cultural warmth. By joining this journey, you’ll understand the depths of Buddhism, meet with locals, test wonderful foods, and, most importantly, find profound knowledge inside yourself.
Get ready for the journey of a lifetime – a 13-day Buddhist pilgrimage tour that’s anything but ordinary. This is more than just sightseeing; it’s a deep dive into the heart of Buddhism, a path to enlightenment, and an adventure of the soul.
