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Day 1
(Feb. 2, 2015) |
Everyone meets in Kathmandu. Our local staff will pick you up at the airport and transfer you to the hotel. Enjoy a welcome Dinner with the group. Overnight at Hyatt Regency. (D.) |
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Day 2
(Feb. 3, 2015) |
Kathmandu. Our first day is free to relax or to explore the city. An optional half day sight-seeing of Kathmandu will be offered. (B.) |
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Days 3 - 6
(Feb. 4 - 7, 2015) |
Meditation retreat with Ven. Robina at Kopan Monastery. Established in 1970 as a monastery for the monks of Solu Khumbu, Kopan is beautifully situated on the crest of a hill above the Kathmandu Valley. (B. L. D.) |
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Day 7
(Feb. 8, 2015) |
In the morning visit Boudhanath the religious center for Tibetans living in Nepal. In the afternoon visit Swayambhunath stupa. There is evidence that the great Indian Buddhist Emperor Ashoka visited this site 2,000 years ago. Overnight at Kopan. (B. L. D.) |
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Day 8
(Feb. 9, 2015) |
Visit the village of Pharping. It is a powerful place of the female Buddha, Vajra Yogini, and many yogis meditate here. We will see “the self-emanating” Tara and Padmasambhava’s cave. Overnight at Kopan Monastery.(B. Packed L. D.) |
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Day 9
(Feb. 10, 2015) |
Fly to Lumbini and visit the birth place of Prince Siddhartha, who became the Buddha. (Tea, L. D.) |
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Day 10
(Feb. 11, 2015) |
Drive to Sravasti crossing the border from Nepal to India. (B. L. D.) |
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Day 11
(Feb. 12, 2015) |
Visit Jetavana, in Sravasti, capital of the ancient Kosala kingdom, where Buddha and his disciples retreated each rainy season for twenty-five years. Overnight Hotel Lotus Nikko, Sravasti. (B. D.) |
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Day 12
(Feb. 13, 2015) |
Drive to Kushinagar. Kushinagar is the place of Buddha’s death. Overnight at Hotel Lotus Nikko, Kushinagar. (B. Light L. D.) |
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Day 13
(Feb. 14, 2015) |
In Kushinagar. After B. we visit Mahaparinirvana Temple where there is the statue of Buddha passing away in meditation. In the afternoon we visit the unadorned but very holy Rambhar Stupa, where Buddha was cremated. ‘Do not be sad,’ he told his disciples. ‘Let the Dharma I have taught you be your teacher after my passing. (B. L. D.) |
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Day 14
(Feb. 15, 2015) |
Today we’ll drive from Kushinagar to Varanasi (Benaras). The evening is free for D. on your own. Overnight Radisson Varanasi. (B. L.) |
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Day 15
(Feb. 16, 2015) |
Varanasi. This is a free day for you to enjoy and explore this fascinating city. Varanasi has been a functioning city for some 3,000 years. In the evening an optional visit to the banks of the famous River Ganges, one of the holiest Hindu sites, for the evening worship. Overnight Radisson Varanasi. (B.) |
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Day 16
(Feb. 17, 2015) |
Visit Sarnath, where, at Deer Park, Lord Buddha turned the wheel of Dharma for the first time, teaching on the four noble truths and the eightfold path to the five ascetics who were his first disciples. (B. L. D.) |
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Day 17
(Feb. 18, 2015) |
Drive to Bodhgaya and arrive at FPMT’s Root Institute, a residential meditation center set in tranquil gardens, and a short rickshaw ride to the Mahabodhi Stupa, the site of Buddha’s enlightenment. Evening visit to the stupa. (B. Light L. D.) |
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Day 18 & 19
(Feb. 19 & 20, 2015) |
In Bodhgaya enjoy various activities including meditation at Mahabodhi Stupa. (B. L. D.) |
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Day 20
(Feb. 21, 2015) |
Early morning drive to Rajgir where Buddha spent 12 years. We'll take a leisurely walk up Vulture Peak for meditation and teachings where Buddha taught the Heart Sutra. In the afternoon we visit Nalanda. From the 5th to the 12th centuries, Nalanda was an important Buddhist university with 10,000 monks and students in residence. We return to Root Institute tonight. (B. L. D.) |
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Day 21
(Feb. 22, 2015) |
Bodhgaya. In the early morning, we visit a cave at Dungeswari, where a meditator had a vision of Mahakala, a wrathful aspect of the Compassion Buddha. Afternoon optional visit to various monasteries. (B. L. D.) |
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Day 22
(Feb. 23, 2015) |
We’ll travel from Bodhgaya to Kathmandu today. An early start will be necessary to catch our flight. Transfer from the Kathmandu airport to Hyatt Regency, Boudhanath. (Tea. L.) |
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Day 23
(Feb. 24, 2015) |
Kathmandu. Today’s activities are on your own. Tonight we’ll enjoy a farewell Dinner. (B. D.) |
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Day 24
(Feb. 25, 2015) |
After Breakfast., the final group activity is a morning puja at Boudha. Later, transfer to the airport to depart Kathmandu or continue exploring the region. (B.) |
