EXPLORING THE DHARMA IN BHUTAN...See the oldest cypress tree in Bhutan, beside the Pangrizampa...
Transcript of EXPLORING THE DHARMA IN BHUTAN...See the oldest cypress tree in Bhutan, beside the Pangrizampa...
BHUTAN
© PONTE TRAVELS 2018
WISDOM ADVENTURES: EXPLORING THE DHARMA IN BHUTAN
September 9 – 21, 2018
Dzongs—Guided Meditations—Nuns
Bumthang—Monasteries—Stupas
Gross National Happiness—Buddhism & Dharma
BHUTAN
© PONTE TRAVELS 2018
Welcome to Ponte Travels! JoinusforaveryspecialmeditativeadventuretoBhutan,theKingdomoftheThunderDragon,ledbyJoelandMichelleLeveyforasmallgroupoftravelers.ThefoundersofWisdomatWork—JoelandMichellearepioneersinthecontemplativesciencesandmindfulnessmovement,andlong-timestudents,practitioners,andteachersintheTibetanBuddhisttraditions.TogetherwewillexperienceBhutaninaprofoundlymeaningfuland"enlightening"waythroughBuddhistpracticeaswemeditateinaweinspiringmonasteries,uncovertheancientstoriesandwisdomteachingsinsacredart,andtakeaspecialjourneytotheverdantvalleysofBumthang—birthplaceofBuddhisminBhutan.
JoelandMichelleLeveyhavespentthelast45yearsbringingthefruitsofinnerspiritualpractices,backedbyscientificinquiry,toorganizationsandcommunitiesacrosstheworld.Theyhavepublishednumerousbooksontheirwork,mostrecentlyMindfulness,MeditationandMindFitness,ConariPress(April2015).Inparticular,MichelleandJoelhavestudiedcloselywithmanyremarkableteachersinthefoundationalmindfulnesstraditions,includingTheDalaiLama,KaluRinpoche,16thKarmapa,ZongRinpochealongwithmanyothers.NobelLaureate,theDalaiLama,anadvisoronanumberoftheLeveys’projectsoncewroteinalettertotheLeveys:“YouarepresentlyengagedinworkthathasgreatprospectsforbringingtheDharma(theinnersciencesofhumantransformation)toaverywidesectionofpeoplewhomaynotunderordinarycircumstancescomeintocontactwiththeseteaching.Iamverypleasedabouttheworkthatyouaredoingandsendyoublessingsandprayersforyoursuccess.”JoelandMichellewillcallupontheirworkas“mindfulnesspioneers”,thedeepknowledgetheyhaveofthetraditionsthatunderlieBuddhisminTibetandtheirdedicationtosharingthisknowledgewithotherstoleadaprofoundlymeaningfuljourneytoBhutan.MoreinformationabouttheLeveysisavailableathttp://www.wisdomatwork.com.Thereisaslideshowfromlastyear’sWisdomAdventureinBhutanhere:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLA7NtEiwIE&t=813sPre-requisitesandFitnessCapabilityTheonlyprerequisiteforparticipationistobeopenandinterested.Nopriormeditationexperiencerequired.Whiletherearenotmanyhikesandnotreksonthistripandnoelevatorsinourhotels,werecommendthatyoubeactive,ingoodhealthandarestrongwalkersand/orhikers.Thosewhoaremoderatelyfitwillbecomfortablewithmostoftheseactivities.Whereavailable,transportationoptionsarenotedforthosewhomayrequirealternativestothehikes.
BHUTAN
© PONTE TRAVELS 2018
HowisPonteTravelsdifferentfromothertravelagenciesandtouroperators?Unliketravelagencies,wespecializeinoff-the-beatenpath,custom-designeditinerariesforindividualsandsmallgroups.Ourfocusisonsustainabletourism,withlowenvironmentalimpactandhighculturalinteraction.24-hourlocalsupport&assistanceWepartnerwithexpertagentsandguidesinthecountrieswevisitwhoarespeciallytrainedtodealwithunexpectedissuesandcanassistyou24/7intheeventofanemergency.Safeandreliablecars&drivers:Yoursafetyisourprimaryconcern,whichiswhyweonlyworkwithpartnerswhoshareourhighsafetyandqualitystandardsforthedriversandvehiclesused.Hotels:Allourhotels,homestays,guesthouses,eco-lodges,tentedcampsandhouseboats(basedonlocationanditinerary)havebeenselectedtoofferahighlevelofuniqueexperience,service,cleanlinessandvalue.Localguides:WeuseEnglish-speaking,certified,localguideswhoarepassionateaboutsharingtheircountrywithyou.Givingback:Webelievethatresponsibletourisminvolvesgivingbacktoorganizationsthatareworkingtoimprovethelivesofthepoorestcitizensinthecountrieswevisit.WemakeadonationfromeverytourtocarefullyselectedNGOswhowebelievearemakingadifference.Learnmoreaboutwhowesupportatwww.pontetravels.com.
YOUR PERSONAL TRAVEL CONSULTANTS
HEATHER MURCHISON MARTA RABINS
[email protected] [email protected] AstheCo-foundersandManagingDirectorofPonteTravels,it’sourpersonalmissiontopartnerwithyoutoensurethatyourentiretravelexperienceisrewarding,enrichingandascarefreeaspossible.
BHUTAN
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ITINERARY SEPTEMBER 9 – ARRIVE BANGKOK
ArriveBangkokaccordingtoyourflightdetails.Afterclearingcustoms,takethe5-minutewalktotheairporthotel,orcatchthehotelshuttlebus.Overnight:NovotelAirportHotelorsimilarMeals:none
SEPTEMBER 10: PARO—THIMPU
EarlymorningdeparturefromBangkok.Asthehotel iswalkingdistancefromtheairport,youwillmakeyourwaythereonyourown,checkinginatleasttwohoursinadvanceofyourflight.Uponarrival inParo,transfertoThimpu,thecapitalcityofBhutan,approximatelyanhourbyroad.
BHUTAN
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ThroughoutBhutanwewillencounterthreetypesofreligiousstructures:dzongs(monasteriesthatarealsofortresses,whichmayalsofunctionasgovernmentseats),lhakhangs(monasteriesortemples)andchortens(stupasorBuddhistshrines).Afternoonvisit to theNationalMemorialChorten.Built for the3rdKingofBhutan, thiswhiteand gold stupa is dedicated toWorld Peace. In the evenings, many locals walk around thestupa,offeringprayersandgarneringgoodkarma.Eachday,timepermitting,thegroupwillgatherforareflectionandmeditationsession.Overnight:HotelNorbuling,DeluxeRoomMeals:B,L,DAltitude:2,250m/7,382ft SEPTEMBER 11: THIMPU—TANGO LHAKHANG
Today,hiketoTangoLhakhang,consideredtobeaveryauspicioussite—theunifierofBhutanwassaidtohavemeditatedinthenearbycaves.Participateinaprayerceremonywithalamafrom the monastery who will share his insights on Bhutanese Buddhism, its practices andphilosophywithus.Afterwards,meditateateitherTangoorCheriMonastery.Enjoyalocal,organicpicniclunchonourwaybacktoThimpu.Afternoon at leisure. Visit a local café, browse for spectacularly colorful Bhutanese postagestampsoroutfityourselfasthelocalsdowithabeautifulhandwovengho(formen)orkira(forwomen).Optional visit with Tachi Zangmo, founder of the non-profit organization The Bhutan NunsFoundation.ThemeetingwilltakeplaceatalovelytempleinThimpu!
BHUTAN
© PONTE TRAVELS 2018
Thisevening,dinewitharepresentativefromtheCenterforBhutaneseStudywhowilltalktothegroupaboutGrossNationalHappiness.Overnight:HotelNorbuling,DeluxeRoomMeals:B,L,DAltitude:2,250m/7,382ft
SEPTEMBER 12: THIMPU—BUDDHIST HIGHLIGHTS
TodayweexploreBuddhaPoint–siteofoneofthelargeststatuesoftheBuddhaintheworld.Afterwards,we’llmeditateatZilukhaNunnery—thelargestnunneryinBhutan.We’ll light108butterlampstobringallbeingsgoodkarma,healthandhappiness.After lunch in a local restaurant we’ll visit several important places illustrating BhutanesecultureandBuddhism.TaschichhoDzong,setalongtheWangchhuriver,isthecurrentseatofthe Bhutanese government. See the oldest cypress tree in Bhutan, beside the PangrizampaAstrologyschool,whereShabdrungRinpoche,thefounderoftheBhutanesestate,wascalledtocomebyavision.TaraLhadenZhingkhamLhakhangTemple,dedicatedin2014bytheKingandQueenofBhutan,houses21claysculpturesofTara,craftedbymasterBhutaneseartists.Overnight:HotelNorbuling,DeluxeRoomMeals:B,L,DAltitude:2,250m/7,382ft
BHUTAN
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SEPTEMBER 13: THIMPU—GANGTEY
Depart forGangtey,consideredoneof themostbeautifulvalleys inBhutanandhometo theendangered black-necked cranes. Along the way, stop at Dochula pass, a beautiful site thatfeatures108stupas.Walkaroundthestupas,hoistprayerflagsandperformasmokeofferingtotheMountaingods.Weatherpermitting,takeinthespectacularviewsofthepeaksfromthepassandpauseforabriefsessionordharmatalk.ArriveinGangteyandrestbeforedinner.Overnight:HotelDewachen,DeluxeRoomMeals:B,L,DAltitude:2540m/8350ftDrivetime:approx.8hours
SEPTEMBER 14: GANGTEY - BUMTHANG
EarlymorningtransferfromGangteytoBumthang,passingthroughmanyvillagesontheway.ClimbmajesticPeleLapassandenjoysweepingviewsofthevalleysofBumthangbelow.
BHUTAN
© PONTE TRAVELS 2018
Bumthang,incentralBhutan,isthelandoflush,greenvalleysandisthespiritualcenterofthekingdom. Guru Rinpoche cured a spiritually ailing local king in the 8th century in Bumthang,whicheventually led to theentirekingdomadoptingBuddhism.Therearemanysacredrelicsandsiteshere fromthe timesofGuruRinpocheandother important teachers that followed,such as Pema Lingpa. The area is also famous for its apples and fresh apple juice. NyingmaBuddhism,themostancientformofTibetianBuddhism,ispracticedhere.UponarrivalinJakar,we’llexploreJampayLhakhangandTamshingLhakhang,whicharea30-minutewalkapartfromeachotherandnearbyourhotel.Tamshing Lhakhang holdsoneofmanychainmail coatsmadebyPemaLingpa.Carry the55-poundcoataroundthekorathreetimestogainmerit!Thisunusallyshapedstructureissaidtohave been built by and adorned with paintings made by Pema Lingpa himself. The innersanctuarycontainsastatueofGuruRinpochesaidtobesculptedbykhandromasorspiritsandisconsideredthemostimportantNyigmaGoempaintheentirekingdom.JampayLhakhang,builtin659,hasatrulyancientfeeltoitanditcontainstheoldesttempleinBhutan.VisitedbyGuruRinpoche,theinnsersanctumhousesaJampa-Buddhaofthefuture.Overnight:MountainLodge,DeluxeRoomMeals:B,L,DAltitude:2800m/9200ftDrivetime:approx.10hours
BHUTAN
© PONTE TRAVELS 2018
SEPTEMBER 15: BUMTHANG – HIKE TO NGANG LHAKHANG
Thismorning,enjoyaneasy, three-hourhikeup theBumthang river fromThangbiGompa tothe charming region knownasNgangYul (‘Swan Land’). Begin thehikebypassing throughatraditionalstupa-likegateway,stoppingtoadmirearockpaintingandatraditionalwatermillasyouwalk.Upon arrival at Ngang Lhakhang, marvel at this temple, built in the 15th century by LamaNamkha Samdrup, contemporary of Pema Lingpa and known as the ‘treasure hunter. Theinteriorcontainsbeautifulstatuesandpaintings,includingastatueofGuruRinpochemadebyPemaLingpahimself.Theupperchapelisagoenkhang,withstatuesofthetrinityandprotectordietieslurkingintheshadows.Afternoon,exploreKurjeyLhakhang,namedforthebodyprintfromGuruRinpochethatoneofthetemplescontains.We’ll immerseourselves intherich legacyofGuruRinpoche,withtimeformeditationandcontemplation.Afive-minutewalkfromthetemples,you’llfindthesacredspringKurjeyDrupcchu,weremonksgotodowash! Overnight:MountainLodge,DeluxeRoomMeals:B,L,DAltitude:2800m/9200ftHike–norealelevationgain
BHUTAN
© PONTE TRAVELS 2018
SEPTEMBER 16: BUMTHANG – THARPALING MONASTERY
Today we’ll explore Tharpaling Monastery, located on the hillside above Bumthang. Themonastery was built by the great saint Kuenkhen Longchen Runjam, whose teachings haveinspiredJoelandMichelleforthepast40years.Afterexploringthemonastery,we’llseekout,onfoot, themanysacredsitesandrelicstobefoundnearthemonastery.**Schedulepermitting -wewill try toorganizea visitwithChungRinpochewho is theheadlamaat theTharpalingMonastery.Thisalldependsonhisschedule,whichat this time isnotknown.Overnight:MountainLodge,DeluxeRoomMeals:B,L,DAltitude:2800m/9200ftDrive:2hoursoneway
BHUTAN
© PONTE TRAVELS 2018
SEPTEMBER 17: BUMTHANG - PARO
Thismorning,we’llmakeourwaybacktoParobyair.UponarrivalinParo,visitTaDzong,theBhutaneseNationalMuseum,whichholdsafascinatingcollectionofBhutanseart,includingbronzestatuaryandpaintings.WewillthenwalkdownthetrailtovisitRinpungDzong,alsoknownas"FortressoftheHeapofJewels",notedforitsstunningarchitecture.Overnight:GangteyPalace,StandardRoomMeals:B,L,DAltitude:2,250m/7,382ft
SEPTEMBER 18: pARO— TIGER’S NEST
Thismorning,departfora*halfdayhikeuptotheiconicTiger'sNestmonastery,another1500mhighinaltitude.Enjoythespectacularviewsfromthetrailuptothemonastery.LunchafterthehikeinParo.RestoftheafternoonfreeinParotoshopthemarkets,sipteaatalocacaféorjustrelax.
BHUTAN
© PONTE TRAVELS 2018
Overnight:GangteyPalace,StandardRoomMeals:B,L,DAltitude:2,250m/7,382ft*Optionsincludehikingthefullwayupanddown,ridingaponyuptothecafeteriaandhikingtherestofthewayupandthenbackdownorridingtheponytothecafeteria,enjoyingacupofteaandhikingdown.SEPTEMBER 19: PARO— KICCHU LHAKANG
Thismorning,visit toKicchuLhakang,whereDilgoKhyentseRinpoche lived.Onourvisit, seethe famous JowoShakyamuni statue, completewithprostration footprints in the floorboard.Ask to seeDligo Khyentse Rinpoche's bedroom adjoining themain shrine room and visit hisformerhome,nowasmallmuseum.AfternoonfreetowalkaroundParo,dosomeshoppingorsipteainacafé!Learnabout theBhutanesenational sportofarchery thiseveningat thehotel, followedbyafarewelldinnerandwrapupsession.Overnight:GangteyPalace,StandardRoomMeals:B,L,DAltitude:2,250m/7,382ft
BHUTAN
© PONTE TRAVELS 2018
SEPTEMBER 20: PARO—HOME
SaygoodbyetothefriendlypeopleofBhutan.Transfertotheairportforyourflighthome.OrextendyourstaywithourThailandexcursion!Askfordetails.Meals:BTOTAL COST OF (12 DAYS, 11 NIGHTS) (per person, double occupancy): $4390 USD Single supplement: $460 USD Airfare economy class, Bangkok – Paro - Bangkok (non-refundable fare, price subject to change until booked): $780 Airfare economy class, Bumthang - Paro (non-refundable fare, price subject to change until booked): $190 Price Includes:
• Allaccommodationatthehotelslistedorsimilar• Mealsasindicatedinitinerary(Breakfast(B),Lunch(L),Dinner(D))• Privatetransportation• Alltoursasindicatedinitinerary• Entrancefees• Allexcursionswiththeservicesofaregisteredandexperienced,English-speakingguide• Bhutanvisaandpermits
Not Included: • Internationalairfare• Airportdeparturetaxes• Anymealsunlessmentionedintheitinerary• Anyitemsofapersonalnature,includingportage,laundry,telephonecalls,tabledrinks.• Passportfees• Gratuitiestodrivers,guides,wait-staff,maidservice,porters
Thecost,hotelsandspecificsofthisitineraryarebasedoncurrentconditionsandaresubjecttochangeforanyreasonatthediscretionofPonteTravels.
BHUTAN
© PONTE TRAVELS 2018
BENEFICIARIES Webelievethattotravelresponsibly,aportionofourtourcostshouldbenefitthecommunitieswevisit.Forthistrip,ourdonationwillgotoanon-profitorganizationwesupportthatishavingaverypositiveimpactinBhutan:BHUTANNUNSFOUNDATION—anon-profitworkingtoempowerandeducateBhutanesewomen.
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