2014 Third ‘India Pilgrimage Tour’

Aim:     To follow in the footsteps of the Buddha, seeking purification of the body and mind, aligning oneself with honourable friends and accumulating merits.

 Dates:  14-15 December 2014 (2 days in Malaysia)

16-28 December 2014 (13 days in India) 

Duration of tour: 15 days

 Cost:    USD $1700 (includes meals, accommodation, transport during the tour, entrance fees, tips) 

Contact person: Ven. Miao Bo

 Phone: (03) 9314 5147

 Email: miaobo01@gmail.com

Registration closes:     25 October 2014

Please note:

1.      Please arrange you own tourist visa to India.

2.      Please ensure that there is a minimum of 6 months validity from the return date on your passport.

3.      Prepare 4 passport photos for emergency use.

4.      Bring warm clothes (temperature range 7-17 degrees Celsius)

5.      Bring own personal items including medication (moisturiser, lip balm, torch, wet wipes, tissues, etc.)

Day	Date	Schedule
1	14/12/2014	Arrive at Malaysia International Airport
		Kuala Lumpur (1/2 day tour), Visit FGS Dong Zen Temple
2	15/12/2014	KL City (1 day tour)
3	16/12/2014	Depart Malaysia and head for Indira Gandhi International Airport , India
4	17/12/14	Take domestic flight in morning to Patna (Paliputra) and head to Vaishali after lunch.  Delhi to Patna (1.5hr flight), Patna to Vaishali (2hr drive)
5	18/12/14	After breakfast, depart Vaishali and visit the world’s largest Buddhist stupa - Kesariya Stupa on route to Kushinagar (place of Nirvana) (5hr drive).
6	19/12/14	Place of the first sermon: Deer Park, Sarnath. Kushinagar – Varanasi (7 hrs drive)
7	20/12/14	Enjoy the sunrise at the Ganges River.  After breakfast, visit Buddha’s place of Enlightenment, Bodhgaya.  Visit Mahabodhi Temple and partake in a light offering ceremony in the evening.  Varanasi – Bodhigaya (6 hrs drive)
8	21/12/14	‘Million Affinities Dharma Function’ (Fo Guang India Buddhist School)
9	22/12/14	‘Pravrajyā Ceremony – novice monk tonsure ceremony (Bodhi Gaya)
10	23/12/14	Cave of Maha Kassapa (2 hr drive one-way)
11	24/12/14	Uruvila (Ascetic Forest), Sujata Village, ethnic temples (Bodh Gaya)
12	25/12/14	Venuvana Vihara, Vulture Peak, Nalanda (2 hrs drive)
13	26/12/14	Ragjir – Patna - Delhi Ragjir – Patna (3 hrs drive) Patna – Delhi (1.5 hrs flight)
14	27/12/14	Delhi (1 day tour)
15	28/12/14	Visit FGS Samanera School in New Delhi (Annual concert and CD Launch) Depart New Delhi for Melbourne
16	29/12/2014	Arrive in Melbourne

Please note:

International return airfares from Melbourne to Malaysia and India are to be independently organised by participants.  Should assistance be required with flight arrangements, please contact Ven. Miao Bo.