What’s it Like

The pilgrimage has two distinct parts. First, we explore Kalimpong, Darjeeling and Ghoom, and then we go on Retreat in beautiful Sikkim.

Kalimpong, Darjeeling and Ghoom are so thickly populated with sites connecting us with Bhante and his eight main teachers that the pilgrimage is quite naturally outward going and stimulating.

Typically we explore the sites, wander around, taking them in. Sometimes, we can simply look – perhaps it’s someone’s house – so we just take darshan, reflect on its significance, gathering impressions, making connections. Sometimes we sit listening to readings; poems, bits of life stories, teachings, memoirs, and at others we meditate and perform puja together.

In Sikkim, we approach the heart of the Beyul or the Hidden Land of Dremo Shong. The Fruit Bowl Beyul is a mandala of fertile river valleys, lakes, mountains, ravines and caves. Blessed by Padmasambhava, it was discovered and opened in the fourteenth century by Rigdzin Godem - one of the Three Supreme Emanations of Guru Rinpoche. It was for a millennium a paradise for practitioners, some of the greatest sages came here and left their mark. Especially at Khechupari and Tashiding; where we have longer stays, the pilgrimage is naturally less active, more meditative and reflective. Our main task will be to allow ourselves to open up to the blessings focused at those places.