Pilgrimages to Buddhist Holy Places
Pilgrimages to holy places where great masters have meditated confer great blessings. Such trips strengthen our awareness and connection with these sacred places and the great lineage masters.
Pilgrimage provides an opportunity for one to reflect on the events and stories of the life of the Buddha and the great lineage master. They help to reaffirm and strengthen one’s devotion. Leaving behind our usual c omforts and luxuries during a pilgrimage is also a form of spiritual practice. Many gain great inspirations and experience great purification and transformation in their lives as well as some deep awakening of spiritual insights.
The Kagyu Institute of Buddhist Studies is now organising a number of group Pilgrimages to sacred Buddhist sites which will be led by Venerable Shangpa Rinpoche and the Sangha.
| Program Name | Led By | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Pilgrimage to Holy Caves of Maratika (Holy places of Guru Rinpoche & Princess Mandarava) | Ven. Shangpa Rinpoche | 13 Dec - 17 Dec 2010 |
| Pilgrimage to Bodhgaya (Kagyu Monlam) | Ven. Shangpa Rinpoche | 27 Dec 2010 - 03 Jan 2011 |
Pilgrimage to the Guru Rinpoche & Mandarava Cave of Maratika
“Retreat on Guru Rinpoche Konchok Chidu Long Life Practice”
Led By Venerable Shangpa Rinpoche
13 – 17 Dec 2010
Located in the District of Khotang, Halesi, Eastern Nepal are the sacred and
supreme caves of Maratika where Guru Padmasambhava and princess Mandarava
attained the spiritual state of immortal awareness holder (Tib: chi med rig dzin).
A place blessed by Manjushree, Vajrapani and Avaloketesvara; it is here that
Guru Rinpoche with his consort Mandarava opened the mandala of the Buddha
Amitayus (Buddha of infinite life) and received the vision of Buddha Amitayus,
who bestowed upon them the blessing of immortality.
In the Tibetan biography of Padmasambhava, discovered by Nyangrel Nyima Ozer, it is described why the Maratika caves are a sacred place for Buddhists. Many sacred symbols of body, speech and mind of the enlightened ones such as a white conch; the long life vase and many other amazing self-arisen symbols can be found as well as hand and foot imprints. Five hundred Arhats are said to have visited this place, and many people come here to practice Chöd.
It is a place like a wish fulfilling jewel that surpasses any other sacred place in India for the practice of spiritual attainment. At this sacred place, the outer, inner and secret mandalas are complete in terms of the perfect noble attribute and prayers made here will be fulfilled. Many treasures of Guru Rinpoche are also believed be concealed and buried by the dakini Mandarava at this holy secret cave.
Over the years, many great lamas such as Chatral Rinpoche, Kyabje Trulshig Rinpoche, Shamar Rinpoche and many others have done retreat in the cave, and their life hindrances have been expelled. Chatral Rinpoche wrote in "The Melodious Tambura of Joy" a guide for those who might one day have the opportunity to practice at this powerful place:
Outwardly, it is the blissful play of Shiva and Umadevi.
Inwardly, it is the palace of Chakrasamvara.
Secretly, it is the celestial mansion of the deities of immortal life and
Most secretly, it is the Pure Land of Great Bliss, the absolute realm of Akanishta.
“On seeing this place, boundless wonder arises.
Through merely hearing the name, the seed of liberation is planted.
By recalling it, accidental death is prevented.
Through making prostrations, circumambulation and offerings,
great accumulation of merit is accomplished.”
There are other hills surrounding the caves: the Mandarava Cave, a few hours’ walk away from the cave, the Manjushri Hill to the south-east and Vajrapani Hill to the south-west. There is a Garuda cave nearby and it was said that this would be a good place to go to for people with cancer.
For all tantric practitioners who have entered the path, this is a very good place for practice to accumulate merit and purify obscurations by engaging in the recitation of mantras, the offering of tormas, the performing of fire ceremonies and especially practices of longevity.
Such is the sacredness of this place! As such it is the wish of Ven. Shangpa Rinpoche to bring all fortunate beings who aspire to work for the benefit of self and others to this place to receive the blessings of Guru Rinpoche and all enlightened beings.
At the main cave, Rinpoche will lead all in the practice of Guru Rinpoche’s Konchok Chidu long life practice and other practices, creating the conditions for all to purify obscurations, accumulate merits for self and others, and ultimately, attain the level of the protector Amitayus and lead all beings to that state.
| Day | Date | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Day One | 13 Dec 2010 | Kathmandu – Halesi, Maratika Cave |
| Day Two | 14 Dec 2010 |
Visit the main cave, lower caves, Mandarava cave and other holy caves nearby. Group meditation and practice of Konchok Chidu Long Life Practice at the main cave. |
| Day Three | 15 Dec 2010 | |
| Day Four | 16 Dec 2010 | |
| Day Five | 17 Dec 2010 | Halesi to Kathmandu |
For more information on the history of the Maratika Caves, please refer to the below link:
http://www.maratika.org/history/history_maratika.html
Registration and Enquiries
For registration or any further information about the trip, please email: info@kirtipur.org or admin.kibs@gmail.com
Tel: (977) 1-433-1679 (Nepal) / (65) 98150386 (Singapore)