Dear Sangha members,
It is with great joy to inform you that the long-awaited Pilgrimage to India, planned to happen after the finishing of the Old Path White Clouds class (April 2019 – July 2021), is finally manifested. During that 2-years waiting period, we have continued to study in the Applied Buddhism class. More Sangha members joined the class, and thus more members can join the Old Path White Clouds Pilgrimage.
After the first year of the Buddha’s teaching life, the Sangha grew to a community of 1,000 monks. Under the suggestion of Ven. Uruvela Kassapa, the Buddha and the Sangha decided to move to Rajagaha (present day Rajgir). Forty groups of 25 monastics were formed, each group was led by a more experienced monk, to take the walk from Uruvela to Rajagaha. Along the way, the Buddha and the Sangha did alms rounds, gave teachings, practicing and living together. It was like a mobile monastery. The walk took ten days.
In this pilgrimage, we will travel with the same practice spirit. There will be about 10 groups of 20 Sangha members, plus two monastics to guide each group. We will travel as a family with each group for the entire trip. We will have daily mindfulness practices, dharma talks in big group and small groups, groups sharing, opportunities to get in touch with local life and cultures and to visit places that the Buddha and the Sangha lived. We live and practice as a Sangha like in the Buddha time. Because of the time limit and to fully experience the trip, the visiting places will be concentrated on and nearby areas of Varanasi (Deer Park, where the Buddha gave the first teaching), Bodhgaya (where the Buddha enlightened), and Rajgir (Bamboo Forest Monastery, Nalanda University, Vulture Peak).
Please see tentative itinerary of the trip, cost and details of the trip in the attached documents. The logistic of organizing of this trip is taken care by lay Sangha member Le Thi My Hang, who has organized several similar trips like this before.
The monastics are looking forward to seeing and joining you in this pilgrimage.
Peace is every step,
Bhikkhu Thich Chan Phap Kham
On behalf of the PV monastics on the Old Path White Clouds 2024 Pilgrimage
Trip Information
Tentative Itinerary
| Date | Description | Place of Stay |
| Day 1 (25 Feb) Delhi | Arrive in Delhi, check in hotel and rest. | ITC WELCOME DWARKA HOTEL |
| Day 2 (26 Feb) Delhi – Varanasi | Have breakfast at Hotel Fly to Vanarasi General Orientation and Join Trip Family |
THE CLARKS |
| Day 3 (27 Feb) Varanasi | Dawn on the Ganges Morning : Dharma talk on Ganges civilization, Indian culture and overview of Buddha’s lifeAfternoon : Group Sharing |
THE CLARKS |
| Day 4 (28 Feb) Varanasi | Deer Park in the morning – Dharma talk about Deer Park
Afternoon : Group Sharing Sunset on the Ganges |
THE CLARKS |
| Day 5 (29 Feb) Varanasi | Museum in the morning
Afternoon: free activities with family Evening: be-in. Summarizing the Varanasi segment. |
THE CLARKS |
| Day 6 (1 Mar) Varanasi – Bodhgaya | After breakfast, check out and go to Bodhgaya by bus (6 hours)
Check in and rest Group activities at Bodh Gaya Dinner at the hotel |
BODHGAYA REGENCY |
| Day 7 (2 Mar) Bodhgaya | Morning practice at Bodh Gaya
Back to hotel for breakfast – Dharma talk about Bodh Gaya Afternoon visit to Niranjana river and Sujata village Dinner at the hotel and family activities |
BODHGAYA REGENCY |
| Day 8 (3 Mar) Bodhgaya | Breakfast at Hotel
Hiking combined with visiting Khong Hanh Lam Afternoon activities with family Evening be-in summarizing the Bodhgaya journey |
BODHGAYA REGENCY |
| Day 9 (4 Mar) Bodhgaya – Rajgir | Breakfast and check out
Bus Ride to Rajgir Check in and rest Sunset on Linh Thuu mountain Evening: Family sharing |
INDO HOKKE |
| Day 10 (5 Mar) ĐH Nalanda | Have breakfast at Hotel
Visiting Nalanda University Lunch and rest Evening Dharma talks and family talks |
INDO HOKKE |
| Day 11 (6 Mar) Núi Linh Thứu | Early Morning on Vulture Peak mountain, the precept ceremony and cutting hair ceremony (for those would like to experience the monastic spirit at Vulture Peak)
Visiting Peace Tower Afternoon activities with family Evening Dharma Talks – Big group |
INDO HOKKE |
| Day 12 (7 Mar) Tu viện Trúc Lâm | Sunrise on Linh Thuu mountain, drinking tea and watching the sunrise with the family
Breakfast at hotel and Dharma talk about Truc Lam Monastery Afternoon visit Truc Lam Monastery, walking meditation and Dharma talk with family Evening be-in summarizing |
INDO HOKKE |
| Day 13 (8 Mar) Patna – Delhi | Have breakfast at Hotel
Depart for Patna for flight to Delhi Rest |
ITC WELCOME DWARKA HOTEL |
| Day 14 (9 Mar) Delhi | Free to visit and shop
Be-in summarizes the trip, goodbye |
ITC WELCOME DWARKA HOTEL |
| Day 15 (10 Mar) | Depart from New Delhi | Home sweet home |
Tour Fee: USD1,900 per person
Fees include travel in India (car and 2 domestic flights), entrance fees to monuments, all meals, bottled water, accommodation arrangements for the duration of the pilgrimage, tippings for driver and local guide (USD5/person/day)
Fees do not include international airfare to and from Delhi, Indian visa, travel insurance and any extra days spent within India beyond the number of days of the pilgrimage, over kilograms of baggage on the flights. flights, phone calls, internet, laundry and other personal expenses.
Bank Details
Bank Name: Standard chartered Bank
Bank A/c Holder Name: WOW INDIA TRAVEL & TOURS PVT LTD
Bank A/c Number: 53105129113
IFSC Code: SCBL0036025
Swift Code: SCBLINBBXXX
Bank Branch Address: DLF GURGAON, BUILDING NO 7A, GROUND FLOOR, DLF CYBER CITY, PHASE-3, SECTOR 24/25/25A, GURGAON,122002
Note: PV Asia 2024 India Trip
Language: Vietnamese is the main language used in the trip, with simultaneous translation into English.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT TOURIST VISA INTO INDIA
For people applying for a tourist visa into India in Hong Kong, please note that –
- People having signed up for the pilgrimage are advised to apply for a tourist visa as soon as possible as it takes time.
- Applicants have to apply for the tourist visa IN PERSON at the external service centre appointed by the Indian Consulate General.
- Before showing up at the external service centre, the applicant must submit an online application, and book an appointment with the external service centre.
- Currently, HKSAR passport is not accepted for the application for a tourist visa into India. Holders of other passports may either check with (a) the online application website (by first selecting CHINA-CHINA as the mission, then select the passport issuing country and the passport type) to see whether TOURIST VISA is an available option for application, or (b) check with the passport issuing authority for the tourist visa requirement into India.
- For details about the application procedures (including where to fill in the online application and the appointment and location of the external service centre), please visit the official website at https://www.cgihk.gov.in/page/passport-services/
Enquiry: hpttlm@gmail.com