Ten days as a Monk in Dharamshala
Ten dAYS AS a MONK IN Dharamshala: a Gateway To Eternal Freedom
Ten days as a Monk is a Buddhist spiritual experience program launched by Conscious Journeys in partnership with Palpung Sharapling Monastery. This tour is a lifetime opportunity for everyone, not only to visit the sacred places but also to witness and experience directly the precious teachings on Tibetan Buddhism. More than a simple tour this can be considered as an experiential learning program with the objective to promote cultural exchange, deep understanding of the Tibetan Buddhist teachings and of the monastic life in “Buddhist” India and also exposure to the socio-economic conditions and the culture of refugees’ Tibetan communities In India. This is a journey to awaken the pure soul inherent within each one of us by indulging in the teachings on Tibetan Buddhism by the learned scholar. Not only will you listen to the preaching but you will also have a rare chance to live in a monastery which will help you to experience peace within your-self.
You will participate in offering prayer flags, which is considered as a very sacred tradition from centuries in Tibetan tradition. Still in today’s date Tibetan’s are following the same tradition of offering prayer flags on high places so to spread the scripted sacred mantras to the space and to once family, to uplift once luck and others too.
The 3 days exclusive Retreat in a monastery offers you a unique opportunity to shift to a more spiritual way of being through Tibetan Buddhism. With the guidance of your teacher you will have a very special chance to participate in two very important rituals of Tibetan Buddhism: the Green Tara Puja, which helps one in disturbing mind desiring to stay in peace, and chod rituals.
In Dharamshala we also arranged you a consultation with Amchi, Tibetan doctor. This is a very holistic approach towards once health. The medicines are made of herbs collected from mountains, which are very rare and precious with no side effect at all. The tour also includes a very unique therapy (Tibetan Mild Therapy); the therapy includes herbal formula to treat specific illness as well as improving general health, well-being and wellness.
Use your time at Palpung Sherapling to refresh your mind and body far away from the hectic pace of city life.
Program Highlights:
- Explore the little Lhasa, Dharamshala, the home of Dalai Lama in India,
- Meditate to free oneself from disturbing mind,
- Circumambulation of the Dalai Lama Temple,
- Offer the prayer flags to spread the scripted sacred mantras to the space and to once family,
- Visit to Tsuglagkhang, Norbulingka Institute, Gutoe Monastery, Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, Tibetan House Parliament in exile, Tibetan Medical and Astro Institute
- Attend a 3 days retreat in Palpung Sharapling Monastery,
- Participate in Green Tara and Chod rituals at Monastry,
- Experience a private consultation with Tibetan Amchi (Doctor),
- Discover the Tibetan Children’s Villages,
- Visit the Golden Temple of Amritsar.
Trip Essentials:
Category: Buddhist Retreat
Duration: 10 Days
Mode of Travel: Flight from Delhi to Amritsar (included) and car
Accommodation: Monastery and Hotel
When to go: This program can be done all round the year.
the journeys
DAY 1: DELHI
Arrival at Indra Gandhi International Airport and check into the respective hotel. Overnight in Delhi.
DAY 2: DELHI- MCLEOD GANJ, DHARAMSALA
After an early breakfast drive to Delhi airport for your flight to Dharamshala. Upon arrival drive to McLeod Ganj and check into the hotel. In the evening, there will be a briefing and meeting with fellow participant, coordinator and/or spiritual masters. Overnight in Mcleod Ganj (B)
DAY 3: MCLEOD GANJ, DHARAMSALA
Morning begins at 7 am with steaming a cup of cleansing Tibetan medicinal herbal tea, followed by walking tour or circumambulation (Kora) of Dalai Lama’s residence at McLeod Ganj and a visit to Tsuglag Khang (Dalai Lama temple). Offering of prayer flags which will be hung on a hill of Lahagyalri near the Dalai Lama temple, accompanied by traditional rituals and offerings. Later you will also explore the local market at Mcleod Ganj, where you can see and buy Tibetan handicrafts. Afterwards, your guide will accompany you to St. John church, a Gothic stone building of the Church constructed in 1852. The site also has a memorial of the British Viceroy Lord Elgin and an old graveyard. Overnight in Mcleod Ganj (B, D)
DAY 4: MCLEOD- SHAAPLING MONASTRY
After breakfast drive to Palpung Sharapling Monastery. On the way visit to Norbulingka Tibetan Culture Institute and Gyuto monastery afternoon. After lunch check into monastery Guest House. After registration you will have an introductory talk on your retreat. After dinner you will finally have the first teaching session. Overnight at Palpung Sharapling Monastery (B, D)
DAY 5 AND 6: Retreat in the monastery
Morning begins with steaming a cup of cleansing Tibetan medicinal herbal tea. The following is the tentative program of your retreat:
- 5:45 morning gong
- 6:15 – 7:00 silent meditation in meditation hall
- 7:00 – 8:00 breakfast
- 8:00 – 9:30 1st session
- 9:30 – 10:00 break
- 10:00 – 11:30 2nd session
- 11:30 – 13:00 lunch break
- 13:00 – 14:30 3rd session
- 14:45 – 15:30 walking meditation
- 15:30 – 16:00 break
- 16:00 – 17:30 4th session
- 17:30 – 19:00 dinner
- 19:00 – 21:00 Q&A (questions and answers) + 5th session
Overnight at Palpung Sharapling Monastery (B, L, D)
DAY 7: Palpung Sharapling Monastry
Morning begins at 7:00am with steaming a cup of cleansing Tibetan medicinal herbal tea, followed by guided meditation and walking meditation or circumambulation (Kora). After breakfast you will have the chance to attend a special Green Tara puja (Dolchok). This prayer is done to remove any obstacles in your life, be it spiritual or mundane. Participation in these rituals may benefit you from clearing the obstacles that abstain you from achieving success.
After lunch you will attend a meditation session. In the evening you will have the chance to attend another important ritual, Chod prayer session, with a Tibetan yogi from monastery retreat centre. Chod ritual is an esoteric tantric practice aiming at cutting your ego or attachment to your body by mental visualizing the offering of your body to all sentient being especially to the restless hungry creatures of the spirit world. Highly realized tantric masters perform this ritual. Overnight at Palpung Sharapling Monastery (B, L, D)
DAY 8: MONASTRY- MCLEOD GANJ, DHARAMSALA
After breakfast check out from Monastery, drive to Dharamsala and check into the hotel. Later take a stroll around Dal Lake. The lake is a scenic picnic spot surrounded by the forests of Deodar. Beside the lake is a temple of Durveshwar Mahadev. After learning about the history of Dharamshala, your guide will take you to a restaurant to enjoy a delicious local lunch. After lunch continue the tour to Tibetan Children’s Villages, a non-profit charitable organization which is a community for the care and education of orphans, destitute and refugee children from Tibet. This school is mainly focused on quality modern education and an introduction to the heritage of Tibetan Buddhism. Overnight at Hotel in Dharamshala (B, D)
DAY 9: MCLEOD GANJ, DHARAMSALA
After breakfast visit to Tibetan Medical and Astrology Museum and Library of Tibetan Works and Archives. After lunch you will have a private consultation with a Tibetan Amchi, Tibetan traditional doctor (on your own accord). It is a very organic and holistic approach to once health and life which emphasis on the balance of elements within you. Overnight at Hotel in Dharamshala (B, D)
DAY 10: MCLEOD GANJ, DHARAMSALA- AMRITSAR
Drive to Amritsar and check into the hotel. Have free time to rest. In the late afternoon visit the famous Sikh temple ‘Golden Temple’. Overnight at Hotel in Amristar (B)
DAY 11: AMRITSAR- DELHI
After breakfast transfer to Amritsar airport for your flight to Delhi and from there fly back home.