Special Buddhist Circuit

Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompasses a variety of traditions, beliefs, and practices largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, who is known as the Buddha. He is recognized by Buddhists as an awakened or enlightened teacher who shared his insights to help sentient beings end ignorance, craving and suffering by recognizing dependent origination and attain Nirvana.

Two major branches of Buddhism are recognized as Theravada and Mahayana. Theravada has a widespread following in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia. Mahayana is found throughout East Asia and includes the traditions of Pure Land, Zen, Nichiren Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism, Shingon, Tiantai (Tendai) and Shinnyo-en. In some classifications, Vajrayana - practiced mainly in Tibet, Mongolia and adjacent parts of China & Russia, is recognized as a third branch, while others classify it as a part of Mahayana. The motif behind this program is to let our valued guests, experience the Buddhism in Nepal.

During the stay at the Monasteries, the guests will be able to breath in the holy monastic environment. They will have rare opportunity to pray along with the monks, offering the lighted butter lamps & incense to the deity in the monastery as these representing the illumination of wisdom and to gain merit. These are also lighted for ritual purification. Also, offering Khada, the Tibetan scarf to the deitysymbolizes purity and compassion. Tibetan Khadas are usually white in colour, symbolising the pure heart of the giver.

Taking part in daily monastic rituals, several brief sessions of meditation along with the monks, inhaling the holy fragrances of incense & butter lights being lighted in the monasteries round the clock, listening to the chanting mantras (prayer or sacred utterance) being chanted by the monks in the monastery most of the time, will certainly helps one to feel purity and we hope that the guests will be back to their home- a different person, an enlightened one.

The Highlight of the trip is, a revered KHENPO, a very high ranking Buddhist monk, (the title is awarded usually after a period of 3 years of intensive study and is considered much like a spiritual Bachelor's. In the Gelug tradition, the title khenpo refers to a senior most monk or the abbot of a monastery. A comparable title in the Gelug lineage is Geshe)will accompany the guests in Kathmandu during the pilgrimage visits who will impart the better knowledge about the Buddhism and the importance of the pilgrimage and the pilgrimage sites.

Itinerary at a glance

Day01: Arrival in Kathmandu
Day02: Pharping - Swoyambhunath Stupa - Boudhanath Stupa - Kopan Monastery - Phaping
Day03: Pharping - Asura Cave - Pharping
Day04: Pharping - Kathmandu - Patan - Kathmandu
Day05: Pharping - Namo Buddha
Day06: Namo Buddha - Lumbini
Day07: Lumbini - Maya Devi Temple
Day08: Lumbini - Kathmandu
Day09: Departure

Detailed Itinerary

kathmandu2

Arrival in Kathmandu

It is a panoramic thrill flying into Kathmandu on a clear day. The views of snow-capped mountain peaks sprawling down below makes one almost ecstatic, beginning a whole chain of memorable experiences that stay with you for a long, long time- That is NEPAL!

Our English speaking professional guide will meet and greet you at the airport by putting over Khada, a traditional Tibetan scarf and escort you to the Monastery in Pharping.

Pharping, a town south of Kathmandu in Nepal, is identified with the sacred site of Yanglesho, where Guru Padmasambhava attained the level of a Mahamudra vidyadhara. Yanglesho is thus, according to katok Rigdzin Tsewang Norbu, considered to be for Vajrayana practitioners as important as Bodhgaya because it is where the second Buddha Guru Padmasambhava attained the state of enlightenment. There are two major practice caves in Pharping blessed by Guru Rinpoche: the Asura cave and the Yanglesho cave.

After arrival at Monastery, check-in and later, participate on a short session of introductory lecture to be delivered by revered monk in the monastery. During the lecture session, the revered monk will impart some knowledge about the importance of putting the prayer flags the monastery, lighting the butter lamp and incense etc. Neydo Tash Monastery & Guest house of the Neydo Tashi Monastery. Dinner will be served at the monastery. Overnight at Neydo Tashi Choling Monastery in Pharping. (Both vegetarian & non vegetarian foods are served in this monastery. The accommodation will be a simple & cozy one without much modern amenities. The rooms are neat & clean and are available with twin bed with attached bath).

Pharping - Swoyambhunath Stupa - Boudhanath Stupa - Kopan Monastery - Pharping

After having breakfast, proceed on pilgrimage tour to Swoyambhunath stupa & Boudhnath stupa.

Swoyambhunath Stupa

A golden spire crowning a conical wooded hill, Swayambhunath Stupa is the most ancient an enigmatic of all the holy shrines in Kathmandu valley. Its lofty white dome and glittering golden spires are visible from many miles and from all sides of the valley. Historical records found on a stone inscription give evidence that the stupa was already an important Buddhist pilgrimage destination by the 5th century AD. It is believed that during ancient times when the Kathmandu valley was a lake the point of the Swoyambhunathwas the only object visible and here a Lotus flower grew.

Boudhanath Stupa

Also known as Khasti Chaitya, Boudhanath Stupa is one of the world's largest stupas. The unique aspect of this great Buddhist monument is that it is set in the octagonal Mandala design. Hundreds of prayer wheels and the 108 images of the Buddha set into the niches around this huge structure make it even more mesmerizing. It is believed to have priests, Bajracharya or Vajracharya, and their Shakya assistants form the been constructed in the fifth century and is said to entomb the remains of Kasyap Rishi, a sage respected by both Buddhists and Hindus. Another notable aspect of the area is the presence of about four dozen monasteries around it. It lies some eight km to the east of the city center. Praying being conducted inside the Kopan Monastery.

Kopan Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery near Boudhanath, on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal. It belongs to the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), an international network of Gelugpa dharma centers, and once served as its headquarters.

The monastery was established by the FPMT founders, Lamas Thubten Yeshe and Thubten Zopa Rinpoche, who bought the property from Nepal's royal astrologer in 1969. Its name comes from the name of the hill on which including it was built. Kopan has become especially famous for teaching Buddhism to visiting Western foreigners. The first of what would become annual month-long (November-December) meditation courses was held in 1971. These Courses generally combine traditional Lam Rim teachings with informal discussion, several periods of guided meditation. Afterwards, drive back to Pharping. Dinner will be served at the monastery. Overnight at Neydo Tashi Choling Monastery in Pharping.

Boudha

Pharping

Pharping - Asura Cave - Pharping:

After an early breakfast, proceed towards the Asura Cave, escorted by a monk where the monk will explains how Guru Rinpoche got enlightenment in this cave. The monk will also guide you for a brief meditation session at the cave premises.

Asura Cave

A cave sacred to Guru Rinpoche, located above the village of Pharping, near Kathmandu. It is also known as the 'Upper cave of Yanglesho. On the upper left side of the entrance door is the imprint of a hand in the rock.

Later, walk back to the Monastery for a short lecture session which will be conducted after the lunch. The lecture will be delivered by KHENPO, the Acharya of the monastery, on Buddhism, meditation and the importance of Buddhist Pilgrimage. Dinner will be served at the monastery.

Overnight at Neydo Tashi Choling Monastery in Pharping.

Patan

Pharping - Kathmandu - Patan - Kathamandu

After breakfast proceed to the vihars in Kathmandu & Patan city to familiarize with the Newari Buddhism. In Nepal, both the Newari & Tibetan Buddhisms are being practiced by the followers. The visit will be comprises of the visit to MAHABOUDHA in Patan city which is also known as temple of 1000 Buddha and is one of the Buddhist pilgrimage site. One can witness thousand sculptures of Buddha is carved at the temple.

Mahaboudha in Patan ( temple of 1000 Buddha sculptures) 

Newari Budhhism is the form of Mahayana- Vairayana. Buddhism practiced by the Newarethnic community of the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal. It has developed unique socio-religious elements, which include a non-monastic Buddhist society based on a caste system and patrilineal descent. The ritual priests, Bajracharya or Vajracharya, and their Shakya assistants form the non-celibate religious sangha while other Buddhist Newar castes serve as the laity. Although there was a vibrant regional tradition of Buddhism in the Kathmandu Valley during the first millennium, the transformation into a distinctive cultural and linguistic form of Buddhism appears to have taken place in the fifteenth century, at about the same time that similar regional forms of Indic Buddhism such as those of Kashmir and Indonesia were on the wane. As a result, Newar Buddhism seems to preserve some aspects of Indian Buddhism that were not preserved in Buddhist schools elsewhere.

Tibetan Buddhism is the body of Buddhist religious doctrine and institutions characteristic of Tibet and certain regions of the Himalayas, including northern Nepal, Bhutan, and India (particularly in Arunachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Dharamsala, Lahaul and Spiti in Himachal Pradesh, and Sikkim). It is the state religion of Bhutan. It is also practiced in Mongolia and parts of Russia (Kalmykia, Buryatia, and Tuva) and Northeast China. Texts recognized as scripture and commentary are contained in the Tibetan Buddhist canon, such that Tibetan is a spiritual language of these areas.

Tibetan Buddhismcomprises the teachings of the three vehicles of Buddhism: the Foundational Vehicle, Mahayana and Vajrayana The Mahayana goal of spiritual development is to achieve the enlightenment of Buddhahood in order to most efficiently help all other sentient beings attain this state. The motivation in it is the bodhicitta mind of enlightenment -an altruistic intention to become enlightened for the sake of all sentient beings.Bodhisattvas are revered beings who have conceived the will and vow to dedicate their lives with bodhicitta for the sake of all beings. Tibetan Buddhism teaches methods for achieving Buddhahood more quickly by including the Vajrayana path in Mahayana. Later, drive back to Pharping. Dinner will be served at the monastery. 

Overnight at Neydo Tashi Choling Monastery in Pharping.

Pharping - Namo Buddha

After early breakfast, visit to Chobhar Cave, located in Chobhar. Chobhar caves are an extensive network of natural caves near the village of Chobhar, which is located 9 km southwest of Kathmandu, Nepal. Chobhar is also known for the Chobhar gorge through which all the water of the valley drains. A small temple of Adinath Sampradaya sits on top of a nearby hill. According to Swayambhu Purana and legend, Kathmandu Valley was once a lake. It is believed that the goddess Manjushree cut a gorge at a place called Chobhar Gorge, near Chobhar Ancient Hill Village and drained away the waters to establish a habitable land. Later, drive to Namo Budhha: After arrival in Namo Buddha, Check-in at the Thrangu Monastery. Namo Buddha Stupa & Thrangu Monastery in Namo Buddha The Thrangu Tashi Yangtse Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery about 40 km southeast of Nepal's capital city Kathmandu. It is built at Namo Buddha, where it is said that Lord Buddha gave his life to a starving tigress and her cubs.Since it was founded by V.V. Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche in 1978 the monastery has grown such that today it is home to more than 250 monks.

After getting refreshed, gather at the monastery premises where the monk from the monastery will guide you to place the Tibetan prayer flag at the monastery. The Tibetan prayer flag is a special one where one can see the inscription of holy chantings (Mantras) on it. It is believed that the flag with your name written on it and blessed by the monk be placed at Tibetan Monastery, will bring you good luck and the sins will also be waived. Afterwards, proceed towards Namo Buddha stupa.

Namo Buddha is one of the three main stupas of the Kathmandu valley and lies about 35 km north east of the Kathmandu valley. It stands on top of the Gandha Malla hill, a stupa built on the bones and hair of Mahasattva. According to mythology and several sutras, Mahasattva was one of Buddha Shakyamuni's former rebirths. He was the youngest of the three sons of king Maharatha. One day as they were walking through the forest, they saw a tigress with the five cubs she had given birth to. She was so hungry she could hardly move. The three princes went away, but Mahasattva decided to go back and started to cut his flesh to give it to the tigress to eat. When his brothers went to look for him they found only his bones and hair. The stupa was built on top of these remains.

Walking up the hill from the stupa we reach a place where the scene of the Buddha giving his body parts to the tigress is engraved in stone. According to the oral tradition, this is the actual place where the Buddha gave his body. Further up, there is also a small stupa which is said to mark the den of the tigress. Evening will be followed by a short session by a revered monk, about Amitabha Buddha & the monastery. Dinner will be served at the monastery.

Overnight at Thrangu Monastery in Namo Buddha. (Vegetarian foods are served in this monastery. The accommodation will be a simple & cozy one without much modern amenities. The rooms are neat & clean and are available with twin bed with COMMON bath)

Accommodation at 3 Star Hotel


Namo-Buddha

Lumbini2

Namo Buddha - Lumbini

After an early breakfast, transfer to the domestic airport to connect the flight to the birth place of lord Buddha, Lumbini.

Lumbini is a Buddhist pilgrimage site in the Rupandehi district of Nepal. It is the place where Queen Mayadevi gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama, who as the Buddha Gautama founded the Buddhist tradition. The Buddha lived between roughly 563 and 483 BCE. Lumbini is one of four magnets for pilgrimage that sprang up in places pivotal to the life of the Buddha, the others being at Kushinagar, Bodh Gaya and Sarnath. After arrival in Lumbini, check-in at the Tashi Rebten Monastery and rest of the time to browse around the monastery and to witness the pray in the monastery. Evening will be followed by a short session by senior monk on Lumbini, Buddha and the monastery.

For the benefit of all sentient beings, His Eminence Chogye Trichen Rinpoche initiated the Lumbini Project to construct his second monastery in Lumbini. The completion of the new Tashi Rabten Ling Monasterywill provide a bigger ground and accommodation for the annual Sakya Monlam Prayer Festival and further enhance the peaceful and spiritual atmosphere of Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha. The activities of the monks in the monastery will be performing prayers to allay obstacles and bring happiness to all sentient beings, extensive Buddhist philosophy and practice study, ritual practices and basic academic studies. There will also be classes in English, Nepali, Tibetan art and literature. Dinner will be served at the Tashi Rabten Monastery in Lumbini. Overnight at Tashi Rebten Monastery in Lumbini. (Vegetarian foods are served in this monastery. The accommodation will be a simple & cozy one without much modern amenities. The rooms are neat & clean and are available with twin bed with COMMON bath)

Lumbini - Maya Devi Temple

After breakfast, proceed on pilgrimage tour to Birth place of Buddha, Maya Devi temple, Lumbini Garden where one will have a magnificent sight of the beautiful monasteries built by different countries such as Japan, Thailand, Korea to name a few.

Mayadevi temple, located in the Puskarini or Holy Pond where the Buddha's mother took the ritual dip prior to his birth and where he, too, had his first bath, as well as the remains of Kapilvastu palace. At other sites near Lumbini, earlier Buddhas were, according to tradition, born, achieved ultimate awakening and finally relinquished earthly form. Later, drive back to the monastery. Rest of the time will be spent in witnessing the pray being carried out by the monks of the monastery. Dinner will be served at the monastery. Overnight at Tashi Rebten Monastery in Lumbini. (Vegetarian foods are served in this monastery. The accommodation will be a simple & cozy one without much modern amenities. The rooms are neat & clean and are available with twin bed with COMMON bath)

maya-devi

Kathmandu

Lumbini - Kathmandu

After breakfast, transfer to the Bhairahawa airport to connect the flight to Kathmandu. After arrival in Kathmandu, transfer to the hotel in Kathamandu. Rest of the time will be at leisure for the last moment's shopping or for optional activities. Dinner will be served at the Hotel.

Overnight at the Hotel in Kathmandu.

Accommodation at 3 Star Hotel

 


Departure 

Free till departure and later, transfer to the International airport to connect the flight to onward destination.

Airport

includes

All arrival and departure transfer accompanied by our representative.

2 nights twin sharing accommodation at the hotel in Lumbini.

Traditional welcome on arrival at the airport of a flower garland

Welcome Tika (Auspicious Vermilion Mark on the forehead) on arrival at Hotel at the time of check-in.

English speaking professional guide will accompany the trip throughout.

Entrance fees of the monuments during the sightseeing tours, as per the stated itinerary.

excludes

International airfares, Airport tax, Visa fees etc.

Expenses of personal nature such as alcoholic, non-alcoholic beverages, telephone & laundry bills, camera fees etc.

Any sort of insurance and any incidentals / extra cost arises during the entire trip due to force majeure and are beyond the control of Yacca Travel & tours Pvt. Ltd

Any other services which is not specified in the COST INCLUDES section above

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