Pilgrimages
Pilgrimages
To Saturday 12 December 2026
A 12-Day Pilgrimage to Bodhgaya and Surrounding Sacred Sites of the Buddha's Life
Jointly offered by Root Institute and Atisha Centre, Australia
In the footsteps of the Buddha
Join us for a rare and precious opportunity to immerse yourself in the blessings of the holy land where the Buddha attained enlightenment. This 12-day pilgrimage to Bodhgaya and nearby sacred sites offers the chance to deepen your Dharma understanding, accumulate vast merit, and connect directly with places blessed by the presence of the Buddha and the great masters who followed in his footsteps.
Pilgrimage is one of the most powerful methods for purifying obscurations and creating the causes for spiritual realisations. By travelling to these sacred places with a sincere motivation, every step becomes a cause for enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings.
Through teachings, guided visits to holy sites, prayers, meditations, offerings, and reflection, participants will experience the profound inspiration of practising the Dharma in the heart of Buddha's enlightenment.
Leader of the pilgrimage
On our visiting teachers page, you can read all about the highly respected scholar and practitioner, Venerable Geshe Thubten Rabten, Resident Teacher at Atisha Centre, who will be leading this extensive pilgrimage.
What's included
- All accommodation
- All meals
- Airport transfers and transport to holy sites
- Museum and holy site entry fees
- Offerings to holy objects and pujas
- Offerings to Sangha
Please note: By joining this pilgrimage, you create great merit through supporting the costs of the accompanying Sangha members, enabling them to participate and benefit all beings through their practice and prayers.
Proposed schedule
1 December – Day 1
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Arrive in Bodhgaya and settle into Root Institute. Evening visit to the sacred Mahabodhi Stupa.
2 December – Day 2
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Teachings at the Mahabodhi Stupa and tour of Bodhgaya's international Buddhist temples.
3 December – Day 3
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Teachings with Geshe Rabten at Root Institute – Lama Tsongkhapa's Three Principal Aspects of the Path.
4 December – Day 4
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Teachings with Geshe Rabten at Root Institute – Lama Tsongkhapa's Three Principal Aspects of the Path.
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Visit to Maitreya Universal Education School.
5 December – Day 5
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Teachings with Geshe Rabten at Root Institute – Lama Tsongkhapa's Three Principal Aspects of the Path.
6 December – Day 6
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Pilgrimage to Vulture's Peak and Nalanda Monastery.
7 December – Day 7
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Free day for personal practice and reflection.
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Optional excursion to Asanga's Cave.
8 December – Day 8
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Journey to Vaishali Stupa and Vaishali Museum.
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Overnight stay at Bandhan Resort (twin-share accommodation).
9 December – Day 9
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Morning visit to Vaishali Stupa before returning to Bodhgaya.
10 December – Day 10
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Teachings with Geshe Rabten, followed by offerings and puja at the Mahabodhi Stupa.
Gen-la will talk on refuge and bodhicitta, offering the lay vows and the ritual for generating bodhicitta to those who wish to participate.
"The ritual for generating bodhicitta” means we will generate the aspiration for buddhahood for the sake of alleviating the suffering of all beings.
11 December – Day 11
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Visit to Mahakala Cave and Milkmaid Sujata Stupa.
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Farewell Dinner
12 December – Day 12
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Check out from Root Institute and departure.
Dedication
We warmly invite you to join us on this transformative journey.
May this pilgrimage become a cause for deep inner transformation, the flourishing of wisdom and compassion, and the ultimate benefit of all sentient beings.
Registration via Atisha Centre, Bendigo, Australia
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Visit Atisha Centre's website to learn more about them.
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To express interest and find out more about the pilgrimage, email Brian at Atisha Centre.
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Once you feel ready to register – pay your Pilgrimage Deposit to Atisha Centre.