Buddhist Pilgrimage and Retreat in India and Nepal
March—April 2027
Acharya Chöying Gyurmey will lead a special spiritual journey to India and Nepal from approximately March 18 to April 17, 2027.
This month-long journey offers the opportunity to visit the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India and Nepal, followed by a 15-day teaching and meditation retreat at Pullahari Monastery in Nepal with Drupon Khenpo Lodrö Namgyal Rinpoche and Drupon Chokyi Nyima.
Pilgrimage to sacred Buddhist sites in India and Nepal
The pilgrimage will include visits to the following sacred sites in India:
- Bodh Gaya — The place where Buddha Shakyamuni attained enlightenment,
- Varanasi and Sarnath — Near the site where the Buddha gave his first teaching, setting the Wheel of Dharma in motion,
- Kushinagar — The place where the Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana.
Our pilgrimage will include a visit to the following sacred site in Nepal:
- Lumbini – The birthplace of Buddha Shakyamuni,
as well as to Three Major Buddhist Stupas:
- Boudhanath Stupa
- Swayambhunath Stupa
- Namo Buddha Stupa – A sacred site associated with one of the Buddha’s previous lives.
We will also visit Pharping, a significant spiritual site connected to Guru Padmasambhava, and home to the self-arisen Tara and the sacred Vajrayogini Cave.
Teaching and Meditation Retreat
After the pilgrimage, pilgrims can participate in a 15-day teaching and meditation retreat at Pullahari Monastery from March 30 to April 14. The subject of the teaching and meditation retreat will be The Progressive Stages of Meditation on Emptiness.
Estimated Budget
The estimated budget is approximately CAD $6,000 per person, including international airfare from and to Montreal, ground transportation, other travel expenses, accommodation and meals.
Pilgrims may join the full program, including the visits to holy sites in India and Nepal as well as the teaching and meditation retreat at Pullahari Monastery in Nepal, or depending on their availability, just part of the program. It is not required to participate in the entire month-long programme.
Those who are interested in going on the pilgrimage but will not be travelling with the group leaving from Montréal, will need to organize their air travel and meet up with Acharya and the group in India. We will provide further details.
Those wishing to attend only the teaching and meditation retreat in Nepal may travel directly to Pullahari Monastery without joining the pilgrimage in India. For information about this program: https://rigpedorjemontreal.org/en/2027-rigpe-dorje-meditation-program/
INFORMATION SESSION
You are invited to attend an information session on Saturday, November 21 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., either in person at the Centre or online: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83864262659?pwd=SEdHNTFRUDZ0YlBOZEY1ck1PdElWUT09
Acharya will speak of the spiritual benefits of this proposed pilgrimage and will provide more details on logistics, itinerary, schedule, accommodations, etc., and will answer your questions about the trip.
Please fill out the pre-registration form to indicate your strong interest in participating in the pilgrimage and/or the teaching and retreat and to receive updates on the trip.