Bodhgaya Bihar

First port of call on landing will be Bihar the most poor, lawless and corrupt state in India, but also home to the most important pilgrimage site for Buddhists, the place of Buddha’s enlightenment. Weird how such a holy site representing the full and positive potential of a human being is surrounded by the worst of human nature. The towering, carved stupa, Bodhi tree with gold leaf offerings on its bark and tranquil flower garden grounds are starkly contrasted with the street mayhem of shoeless cripples, lepers and old people begging in tattered clothes, pushy street sellers and child pick pockets. This pilgrimage season will see the most people ever to decent of the tiny village of Bodgaya, I get excited just thinking about it.


 His Holiness the Dalai Lama will confer the 32^nd Kalachakra initiation. Tibetans believe it is good to receive this initiation three time to ensure a good re-birth, well I probably have a lot to rectify in this life so this will be my 7^th time and I hope they are right. Millions of pilgrims will be coming from Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal, Ladhak and Arunachal Pradesh in North East India as well as countries from all over of the world. Living conditions will be sparse such as tent cities, mud hut restaurants and basic, basic toilet facilities. Food supplies may be going scarce and for sure you would not want to drink the water. I am sure to re-united with long time Dharma and local friends and for sure make some new friends too.

For small Bodgaya video of the temple  try http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qk-9Ez3xICY

For info on Kalachakra try    http://www.dalailama.com/teachings/kalachakra-initiations
http://kalachakranet.org/       http://www.kalachakra2012.org/