2023 Bodh Gaya Pilgrimage: 1000 Buddhas Empowerment w/ Khentrul Rinpoche
To register for the Nepal/ India trip following this click here. If you are registering for both trips, you can book the discounted rate for this trip.
Join us on this once-in-a-lifetime journey with Khentrul Rinpoché to the seat of the Buddha’s enlightenment in India. During this week-long retreat participants will connect to the Shakyamuni Buddha through the study and practice of the 1000 Buddha empowerment (wang), puja, and sadhana at the most sacred site at and near the Mahabodi Stupa. This is the first time that Khentrul Rinpoche has offered this empowerment and has chosen the most auspicious location for the blessings of the Buddha.
The Thousand Buddha Empowerment comes from the Nyingma Lineage tracing back to King Songtsen Gampo who was an emanation of Avalokiteshvara. Khentrul Rinpoche received this empowerment from the Nyingma and Kagyu as a young child. Due to auspicious coincidences, Rinpoche recently refreshed his empowerment through a personal transmission from the kindness of H.E. Kathok Rigzin Chenpo as he has received this empowerment from many lineages. The main deity of this empowerment is Avalokiteshvara who represents the compassion, names, and mantras of 2200 Buddhas.
When you connect to the power of each of the 1000 Buddhas it increases your spiritual practice by connecting you to all the Buddhas in this fortunate eon. Through this connection, we are increasing our chance of realizing a Golden Age of Peace and Harmony by connecting to the power of all the Buddhas of our time.
Our journey takes place at the Bodhi Tree, nearby temples, and Mahabodhi Stupa where we will retreat and receive 1000 Buddha teachings. Accompanied by many monks we will perform pujas and offerings to the Buddha over the course of 2 days.
In this practice, we can connect to all aspects of our Buddha nature and learn how we can use tantra to transform our emotions and samsaric limitations into the stainless qualities of Buddha nature. Each of the Buddha families represents different aspects of our enlightened nature. As we learn to identify and work with these aspects we can learn to use our daily life as the conditions and opportunities we need for enlightenment. Doing this practice in such a holy place as a pilgrimage is karmically purifying.
India is an important place for fully understanding this opportunity to use the emotions and aspects of our daily life for transformation. While Tibet has for many years maintained the Sutra and Vajrayana teachings largely in the monastic communities, India has preserved the rich variations of tantra embedded directly in their daily life and culture. Khentrul Rinpoche sees this as an inspiration for Buddhist Vajrayana. He is passionate about students being able to transform in their daily lives because if we are to keep the precious teachings of Buddhist tantra flourishing we need to keep it alive in living lay practitioners’ culture.
Cost includes shared accommodation, all teachings, empowerments, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Daylong site-seeing in the Bodh Gaya area. Airfare is not included.
The tour includes:
- 7-night stay in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India
- Daily sadhana practices, guided meditations, and reflections guided by Spiritual Director, Khentrul Rinpoche,, and Senior students
- 1000 Buddha Empowerment (Initiation), Puja, and Sadhana Instructions
- Authentic traditional accommodations, all meals included
- 1 Day of Site seeing holy sites in the area
- Optional opportunity to book a personal Tibetan astrology reading
Who can come?
Pilgrimage, 1000 Buddha Empowerment, and retreat are open to everyone.
Tour Details
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Day 1 (20th October) – Arrival in Bodh Gaya
After participants have arrived we will allocate accommodations. For those who wish to help set up the offerings, you can let us know and spend the day arranging them. Once everyone is settled in, we will have dinner together. At an evening teaching, Khentrul Rinpoche will open our event with a welcome speech and prayers.
Day 2 & 3 (21st- 22nd October) – 1000 Buddhas Puja, Teaching and Empowerment Ceremony
Enjoy breakfast and prayers together. We will all take part in the 1000 Buddha Empowerment ceremony. Each evening we will have the chance to recite prayers together.
Day 4 & 5 (23rd – 24th October) – 1000 Buddhas Puja Ceremony & Visit to the Stupa
Khentrul Rinpoche and monks will chant and perform the Puja offerings for us. Optionally you can have free time or join us to visit the Mahabodhi Stupa grounds to practice the Sadhana together. We will go and do circumambulations which are karmically purifying.
Day 6 (25th October) – Teachings and Practices in Bodha Gaya
We will take the day to explore the holy sites of Bodh Gaya and receive teachings and practice the 1000 Buddha Sadhana together. Indian cultural experience in the evening if planning permits. We will explore the nearby giant Buddha and the surrounding temples. In the evening, we can enjoy the local culture.
Day 7 (26th October) – Day of Site Seeing to Holy Sites
We will take a tour via bus to some of the more distant nearby holy sites of Bodh Gaya such as the nearby holy Mahakala caves that the Buddha meditated in before realizing enlightenment. We will visit the Sujata Temple and the Machalinda pond. Closing dinner ceremony.
Day 8 (27th October) – Departure Retreat Completed
We will check out of the hotel and make our way home. Take home a blessed souvenir home from the event to connect with this holy space.
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Food
Indian diet is typically vegetarian and spicy. We may have the opportunity to have Tibetan cooking as well. We have arranged for a vegetarian trip as much as possible. We can not accommodate allergies.
Accommodations
Accommodations in Bodha Gaya are basic and not luxurious. The rooms will have bathrooms and western-style toilets. Rooms are either a twin share or a dorm-style.
If you are traveling with a friend and would like to stay with them, please write in and request. We will do what we can to keep you together.
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Price
The price for this journey is based on (shared occupancy).
$2500 AUD per person normal program
$2000 AUD per person discounted rate if you are from Eastern Europe, Asia, or South America
$1500 AUD per person discounted rate if you are going on the 2023 Nepal India Tour
A Single-person supplement fee can be added at a rate of $500 AUD per person at check out if you prefer not to share your room. Please add it at checkout to your options.
A non-refundable $1,500 AUD deposit holds your space. We will email you an invoice (via PayPal or stripe) at least a week before each due date. In general, the tour is non-refundable. If you have an unexpected circumstance then of course we can discuss it.
Payment Schedule
If you need a payment plan we can provide you with one as listed.
| Normal Cost Payment Program | Amount | Due Date |
| Payment #1 (20% – non-refundable) | AUD$ 1000 | Paid at registration |
| Payment #2 (40% – non-refundable) | AUD$ 1000 | 1st of July |
| Payment #3 (40% – non-refundable) | AUD$ 500 | 15th of September |
Methods of Payment
You can make payments for this tour via any of the following methods:
- Credit Card or Paypal: Check out on the form below
- Direct Debit: Tibetan Buddhist rime Institute Inc. Bank: ANZ. BSB: 013-479 Account: 4944-47223 (Please include your surname as a reference)
- Wire Transfer: Acc: Tibetan Buddhist Rime Institute. Bank: ANZ. Branch: Upper Ferntree Gully, Victoria Australia. Swift Code: ANZBAU3M. BSB:013 457. Account No: 4944 47223
Registration Process:
- Check out on this website, with the non-refundable AUD$? using one of the methods described above.
- Once we have confirmed the payment, we will contact you via email to confirm your registration.
Price Includes:
- 1000 Buddha Empowerment(s) from Khentrul Rinpoche
- 3 Meals per day
- Transportation to sites within India
- All accommodations
- All meals
- All site entrance fees
- All tips at hotels and restaurants
- Indian cultural performance if possible
Price does not include:
- International airfare
- Transfer to and from the airport
- India visa fee if needed
- Travel and health insurance
- Photography fees at sites
- Tip to local guide and driver
- Dana to Teachers or Rinpoche
- Astrology or Massage bookings
- Beverages in addition to water
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Additional Information
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You will be guided in a clear step-by-step way through the empowerment ceremony so that you can understand what is happening and what you are receiving. Through lecture, discussion, silent meditation, mantra, and ritual offerings, form a deep connection to your own inner realm of peace and harmony.
Who Can Attend
There are no prerequisites and afterward no commitments other than the ones you choose to take. This path is flexible; it allows you to engage with it wherever you are at. The empowerment can be taken as a blessing or empowerment. The refuge, bodhisattva, tantric vows and uncommon vows of Kalachakra will be given along with the initiation for those taking this as empowerment.
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International Flights
You are responsible to book your own international flights. There is a local airport in Gaya as well as a train station. It is also possible to arrive from Patna.
Passport/Visa
First and foremost, your passport MUST be valid at least 6 months beyond the end date of the trip, and you’ll need two empty pages in the Visas section of your passport (make sure they are in the Visa section, not the Amendment or Endorsement section). Most countries require a visa for India. Please check with your local Indian embassy for details. India now offers e-visas which can be applied for online and will meet most of the tourist needs.
Medical
You can read the American CDC’s recommendations here. We advise you to check with your local doctor to decide what is best for you.
It is useful to bring a small first aid pack which includes:
Nausea and diarrhea medicine, travel sickness tablets, glucose powder, paracetamol tablets, saline eyewash, cold and flu tablets, mosquito repellent, sunscreen and any other supplies you feel you may need or have been advised to bring.
Travel Insurance
We suggest medical insurance which includes evacuation and trip cancellation insurance, as well, as you never know what obstacles life can toss at you leading up to a trip. However, we do not require this coverage, we only suggest it highly. We will be in remote areas that may not have a modern medical facility. Please plan accordingly.
Clothing
Arriving in Bodha Gaya in October, the temperature is +32°C during daytime and +21°C at nights. The area is very dusty. In India clothes that can be hand washed are best. Also the dust can be diffult to remove from clothing so it is advised to keep that in mind when packing.
Miscellaneous items
When attending the teachings, you will require something to sit on, so bring a meditation cushion with you and a plastic sheet in case it rains. You will most definitely need insect repellent. Other items which will come in handy are umbrella, sunscreen, towel, hat, sunglasses, toilet paper/tissues, batteries, headlamp, camera, SD card for extra storage, torch, chargers, adaptors, pen, paper/writing book, favorite snack food, access to $500 for extra food and miscellaneous expenses.
Drinking-Water
We recommend drinking only bottled water, and you will want to rinse your toothbrush off in bottled water. Bottled and boiled water will be available throughout the trip.
Money
You can either exchange cash in India or use local ATMs. All of your meals and transportation are covered, so you just need personal spending money.
WIFI
For most of the trip, there will not be wifi available.
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Practice Book Reading
To get the most out of the retreat section, it is useful to have a copy of the Profound Path of Vajra Yoga. You are advised to purchase a copy in advance from our store or in the USA at store.dzokden.org as we will not have extras with us on the trip. In addition to the 1000 Buddhas Sadhana which you will be given, we usually do a variety of prayers at holy sites selected from Khentrul Rinpoche’s main practice text.
Profound Path of Vajra Yoga
This prayer book contains the traditional Jonang Kalachakra preliminary (ngondro) practice materials in English with transliterated Tibetan. Two complete sadhanas, the traditional lineage sadhana of the Divine Ladder and Khentrul Rinpoche’s version Enlightening the Heart are included along with a wide variety of lineage prayers and supplications.
Suggested Reading
There is no required preparation. If you want to familiarize your mind with any of the material related to the trip we have selected a few of the texts.
Unveiling Your Sacred Truth Book 1 by Khentrul Rinpoche
The Kalachakra Path offers a profound method for actualizing your greatest potential and contributing to greater peace and harmony within this world. For the first time ever, this extraordinary path is revealed in a step-by-step manner, allowing students to gradually approach this uniquely comprehensive system in a structured and methodical way. While you may not be interested in practicing all of the Jonang Kalachakra path, we encourage study book 1 of Unveiling your Sacred Truth. In this book Khentrul Rinpoche introduces us to important Buddhist concepts including how to meditate, what is karma, what are the various Buddhist paths and how to understand the various Buddhist realms.
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General rules
- Mobile phones should be kept to a minimum. Other technologies should be left at home where possible
- The rooms are for at least 2 persons.
- All meals are included in the tour costs and are pre-ordered. If you have any special requests please contact your tour guide representative the day before.
- Out of respect for the teachers, we ask that participants attend all sessions and be punctual.
- It is recommended that any personal items be kept in a locked bag. The Tibetan Buddhist Rime Institute cannot be held responsible for any items left around the property that is stolen or damaged.
- Please be prepared for the Indian weather. Pack electrolytes to prevent heatstroke if there is a high-temperature day. The weather is normally mild at this time of year but please be well prepared. The Tibetan Buddhist Rime Institute cannot be held responsible for any injury incurred.
Food Or Medical Issues
If you have a serious food allergy or medical condition we should know about please inform us by email to discuss as soon as possible.
This is not a strenuous trip. We will be staying in one location for the majority of the time. You will need to walk between the Mahabodhi stupa and the accommodations. There may be one multi-hour bus tour, so guests should be able to sit in a vehicle for up to 5 hours at a time (although we can stop for bathroom breaks and leg-stretching along the way). At times, during the practice retreat, we will be sitting on the ground for hours at a time. Please bring a meditation mat or cushion to sit on. We can not guarantee chairs at any locations. If you are older and require a chair, we encourage you to bring a camping fold up chair.
Bodha Gaya, India has very simple medical care. There are pharmacies that sell medicine along the roadside. We encourage you to bring any medicine you will need as the options are very limited. The local hospitals are rural. In general, in this area, people wait often until it’s the end of life to visit medical facilities so they are often crowded and limited. If you have a serious medical condition then please get insurance or plan accordingly. There are private hospitals in the greater Gaya area and Patna area that are further away that you can travel to if you encounter serious medical issue.
Offerings
Traditionally, an offering is made to the teacher at the conclusion of the Tour (please note that this is entirely optional) as a gesture of appreciation. You can offer whatever you think is appropriate. However, here are a few suggestions – a card, flowers, money, food or other items. A Tibetan offering scarf (khata) is given to the teacher for a blessing as part of the ceremony and can be borrowed or purchased from retreat volunteers or you may like to bring your own.
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