November 13th - 24th

India Pilgrimage

Arrival Time:
Wednesday November 13th around 3pm

Probably best to buy round trip ticket to New Delhi and then a one way flight to Gaya. Since we will be meeting in Bodhgaya and taking the train tour that will bring us back to New Delhi. From Gaya airport you will have to organize a taxi to our hotel in Bodhgaya (Address: Opp-Archaeological Museum, Bodhgaya,Gaya(Bihar)-824231). Please try to book flights that allow you to arrive in the afternoon of the 13th. Or if possible come a day or two early and sleep off the jet lag.

You will need to obtain a Visa: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html
For India you’ll need a multiple entry VISA and for Nepal a single entry VISA is fine.

Departure Time:
Sunday November 24th around 6pm

Join the Sangha on this epic journey to the historic pilgrimage sites of the Buddha. We will gather in Bodhgaya (the place of Buddhas Enlightenment) for the first 5 days to acclimate and have a daily practice schedule of meditation, dharma talks and refuge recovery meetings. Then we will join a Buddhist Tourist Train Pilgrimage for 6 days where we will be guided through Lumbini, (the place of Buddhas birth in southern Nepal), Saranath, (the place where Buddha first taught the Dharma), Kushinagar (the place of the Buddhas Death/Nirvana) as well as several other very cool stops. We will find time for meditation and meetings along the way.

      This kind of travel is a practice in itself. By coming on this trip you are agreeing to live by the five precepts of Buddhism. All are welcome to join us, but all will be expected to maintain total abstinence from recreational intoxicants. Please plan to face challenges, discomfort and the whole beautiful (pleasant) and terrible (unpleasant) reality that is India. Living with the Sangha, dealing with each other's personalities, accepting what is offered and walking in the foot steps of the Buddha will surely help us all get closer to our own reliable internal refuge and deepen our recovery.

Although much of our itinerary will be set by the train tour, my own style of travel is a bit more spontaneous and unscripted, so please plan to be flexible and open to the process.

Registrations include most meals and taxes, as well as travel costs for the teacher.

PRICING OPTIONS:

There are 3 price options: (1 Payment In Full)

• $3,000 for shared hotel rooms (2 people) and shared berths on train (up to 4 people)

• $3,500 for shared hotel rooms (2 people) and double occupancy on train (2 people)

• $4,500 for single hotel rooms and private berth on train

REFUND POLICY | CANCELATION FEES:

- Registrations are nontransferable
- Cancellation prior to 60 days or more before the retreat: $500.00 cancellation fee (per reservation).
- Cancelations within 60 days of retreat are non-refundable, nontransferable.

November 13th - 24th, 2024

Arrival Time:Wednesday November 13th around 3pm

Departure Time:Sunday November 24th around 6pm

ITINERARY

Nov 13th: Arrive Niranjan Hotel in Bodhgaya. Group dinner for all who arrive by 6pm.

Nov 14th: Morning sitting and walking meditation at Bodhi Tree Temple. Afternoon Dharma Talk. Evening Meeting.

Nov 15th: Morning sitting and walking meditation at Bodhi Tree Temple. Afternoon Dharma Talk. Evening Meeting.

Nov 16th: Morning sitting and walking meditation at Bodhi Tree Temple. Afternoon Dharma Talk. Evening Meeting.

Nov 17th: Join Tour group in Bodhgaya. https://www.irctcbuddhisttrain.com/

Nov 18th: Visit Rajgir & Nalanda. Departure for Varanasi in the evening.

Nov 19th: Arrive Varanasi in the morning. Visit Sarnath. Visit the Ganges for the evening Aarti. Departure for Gorakhpur in the evening

Nov 20th: Arrive at Gorakhpur Railway Station. Breakfast en route (Gorakhpur) and proceed to Lumbini (Nepal) by bus.

Nov 21st: Proceed to Kushinagar for sightseeing visit Mahaparinirvan Temple, Rambhar Stupa, Mata Kutir Temple etc.

Nov 22nd: Arrive Gonda in the morning. Visit Sravasti. Departure Gonda for Agra in the evening.

Nov 23rd: Arrive Gonda in the morning. Visit Sravasti. Departure Gonda for Agra in the evening. Then stay in Hotel in New Delhi. (evening meeting if time permits)

Nov 24th: Breakfast and closing circle at New Delhi Hotel. (please don't schedule departing flights until the evening of the 24th)

Dana For Retreats:

In Refuge Recovery we are trying to follow the Buddhist tradition of offering the Buddhas’ teaching free of charge. The cost associated with attending a Refuge Recovery pilgrimage only covers the cost of the trip, food and some associated administrative expenses. As has been done for 2,600 years the teachings are freely offered, the teacher does not receive any payment for teaching other than the voluntary donations that are offered at the end of the trip known as Dana. This is a foreign concept to most. It is not like tipping after a meal. It also doesn’t mean that the teacher doesn’t need any financial support and is just here to be of service. For a qualified teacher it is part of one’s Livelihood, and the donations that are offered support the teacher in continuing to be able to share the Dharma and teach regularly. It is up to each student to decide for themselves what they wish to donate to support the teacher..

Suggested dana for this trip is $1000, but any heart felt amount of generosity is greatly appreciated. Traditionally those who have more give more and those who have less give whatever feels appropriate to there means.

If you’d like you can make your donation in advance here:PayPal: noahlevine@msn.comVenmo: @noah-levine-17