The Life of Buddha - Experiences of Buddhism and spiritual journey

The Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama) was born about 2565 years ago in Lumbini in south west of Nepal. Siddhartha recognized that all of the world's problems begin with a fundamental ignorance that causes beings to misunderstand the true nature of reality. Because of this, they engage in actions that lead to their own suffering and fail to recognize what leads to happiness. At age 29 he renounced the world and set out on a quest for meaning and enlightenment which he attained at age 37 after intense meditation at Bhodhgaya, a village in North India and a principal site of Buddhist.

What we consider the "self." In Buddhist world view the self is momentary and the production of a personality itself is conditional and impermanent. These basic teachings are framed in a fundamental distinction between Samsara or "this world," a world of suffering and impermanence, and nirvana, a state defined by one scholar as "transcendence beyond all conceptualization pilgrimage.

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Day 1 Delhi
Arrive in New Delhi Airport transfer to hotel.

Day 2 Delhi
Sightseeing in Delhi, the capital city of . Delhi has been home to many cultures and religions and thus we will see expressions of the finest forms of architecture in the form of graves, forts, palaces and places of worship for the Hindus, Buddhists, Janis, Islam, Sikhs and the Bhai Faith.

Day 3 Agra
Travel by jeep to Agra, city of the Taj Mahal. We will first visit the Mugal city of Fatehpur Sikri - an epic poem in red sandstone, built by Emperor Akbar the Great in 1569. The Taj Mahal is perhaps the greatest love story ever told built by Emperor Shahjehan on the death of his wife. Behind Agra Fort’s forbidding red sandstone palaces that tell the story of the Mogul Empire.

Day 4 Balrampur
The city of Balrampur is famous for its association with sacred Buddhist and Jains. The religious sites in and around the city are the main attractions of tourists here. Sobhnath temple, which houses the great Stupas. These Stupas reflect the Buddhist tradition and boast of the history of the monasteries Jeetavana monastery, one of the oldest monasteries in the country. Buddha has spend long time here Gautama Buddha spend 21 monsoon season meditating under the sacred Peepal tree.

Day 5 Balrampur
Spend the day in Balrampur.

Day 6 Lumbini
Lumbini the city in the South-Western of Terai/Nepal. Queen Maya, returning to her parental home, gave birth to Lord Buddha in 623 BC under a Peepal tree in full moon while the royal caravan rested there. Today, there is no trace of Lumbini village, but an Ashoka pillar commemorating the emperor’s visit in 249 BC, stands marking the sacred spot of Buddha’s birth. Also see the sacred pool where Maya Devi took a holy dip prior to giving birth, and where infant Buddha was given his first purification bath.

Day 7 Kushinager
Here towards evening on a couch between two Peepal trees, Buddha "laid himself down on his right side, with one leg resting on the other, mindful and self-possessed", left his mortal body saying "Decay is inherent in all things". This was the full-moon day of May.

Day 8 Patna
Drive to Patna and spend the rest of the day sightseeing.

Day 9 Bodhgaya
Seeking a deeper knowledge, Buddha journeyed into the forests with the intention of finally and completely realizing the infinite. Siddhartha sat beneath a Bodhi Tree in Bodhgaya. Touching the earth, thereby calling it to witness the countless lifetimes of virtue that had led him to this place of enlightenment, he entered into a state of deep meditation. Three days and nights passed and his intention was realized. Siddhartha became the Buddha, meaning the "Enlightened One." The tree that stands today is believed to have grown from original PIPALl tree under which lord Buddha meditated and river Niranjana in which Buddha bathed after attaining enlightenment

Day 10 Bodhagaya
Spend the day sightseeing in Bodhgaya.

Day 11 Sarnath - Varanasi
Dawn boat cruise on the holy Ganga. The time to see the ghats is early morning  when out of the morning mist, forms descend the steps, increasing to a solemn silent multitude lit by the sun's first rays, immersing itself in the holy river and to salute the sun, nature worship rituals prevalent in India 3,000 years ago. Visit many ghats and the 17th century Gyanvapi Mosque built by Aurangzeb on the site of the Vishwanath Golden TempleWalk.& shop through ancient lanes of Varanasi, wide enough to touch buildings on both sides of the lane. Later drive to Sarnath where Buddha preached his first sermon to five disciples at the Deer Park here, enshrining the principles of his teaching into laws. The Dhamek Stupa marks the location of a once resplendent monastery. Also see a large complex of ruined monasteries cover the area north of the stupas, some belonging to the Kushan and Gupta period. The first monk communities probably settled here in the 3rd century BC.

Day 12 Varanasi
Sightseeing of Varanasi. In the evening fly or take the train to Amritsar.

Day 13 Amritsar
Visit Harmandir Sahib, or, as known the world over, The Golden Temple, the holiest of Sikh places of worship, which enshrines the Holy Book of the Sikhs. Later, drive to Dharamsala.

Day 14 Dharamsala
North west state of India (Himalnchal pardesh) Kangra Valley, in the enchanting world where the spinning of the wheel and fluttering prayer flags spread the message of peace and universal harmony, Dharamsala is the home of the Buddhist spiritual head, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and the Tibetan government in exile. Preserving Tibetan culture Visit Tsuglag Khang the most important Tibetan Buddhist temple outside of .

Day 15 Dharamshala
Explore Dharamshala and Tibetan Buddhism.

Day 16 Delhi
Return to Delhi.

Day 17 Delhi
Free day in Delhi

Day 18 Delhi
Transfer to International Airport for flight back home.
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Trip Include:

Airport transfer service Accommodation on twin sharing basis at all places with breakfast and dinner as per itinerary Airfare Zürich - Delhi by economy class including airport tax with 20 kg pack Boat ride in Ganga river in Varanasi Transport service by private air conditioned vehicle at all places as per itinerary Sightseeing & Excursions with Local English and German speaking guide All monument entry fees All land transportion my privat jeep

Trip Doesnot Include:

All expenses of personal nature Indian Visa All kinds of alcoholic drink and laundry services Tips for staff

Booking info:

Himalayan Reisen
Friedenstrasse 2 CH-5430
Wettingen AG
Tel: 41-0566661811
Mobile: 41-0798243319
e-mail: gautam@himalayareisen.ch.

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Trip Facts

  • Trip Grade: Moderate
  • Activity: Cultural Tours
  • Destination: India Tours
  • Trip Code: Life of Buddha 5
  • Trip Altitude: 300 m
  • Trip Season: September to May
  • Group Size: 6 pax
  • Trip Price: CHF 5200.00 Up to 06 person
  • Trip Start From: Delhi
  • Trip End With: Delhi
  • Trip Route: Delhi - Agra - Balrampur - Lumbini - Bodhagaya - Sarnath - Vanarasi - Amritsar - Dharamshala - Delhi