Birth of the Awakening Mind: Sacred Journey to Nepal

Mahamudra, Bodhicitta, and Amitayus: A Journey Through the Sacred Lands of Nepal

Giving Birth to the mind of awakening, the precious Bodhicitta, is the true source of happiness, well-being and true immortality.

Join Drupon Lama Dorje, whose transformative mantra chanting you all know from Spotify (Lama Dorje profile),  for a 12-day sacred pilgrimage-retreat through Nepal in an immersive journey through the sacred lands of Nepal
— from the birthplace of Buddha Shakyamuni in Lumbini, through the enlightened activity of Kathmandu, to the sacred Maratika Caves in eastern Nepal.

This immersive journey offers a rare opportunity to combine Mahamudra instructions, Bodhicitta cultivation, Amitayus long-life practices, daily Tsa Lung, and mantra recitation. Through practice and pilgrimage, we will deepen our connection to wisdom, compassion, and the blessings

of the lineage, culminating in the Amitayus Long-Life Empowerment at Maratika—the sacred place where Guru Rinpoche and Mandarava attained the realization of Infinite Life.

Days 1-4: Awakening Bodhicitta

Starting in Lumbini, Nepal, we will touch the very ground where Buddha Shakyamuni took birth over 2,500 years ago- a loving force so strong that we still feel the ripples even today. The blessings of visiting such a sacred site are said to be so strong that one will never take birth in the lower realms again. Through Mahamudra meditation, Amitayus sadhana, mantra accumulation, and teachings, we will establish the inner foundation for the journey ahead and connect with the awakened intention to benefit all beings.

Days 5-8: Deepening Devotion
— Entering the Living Lineage

We will then journey on to Kathmandu where we will circumambulate one of the largest stupas in the world: Boudha. This sacred monument that represents the Enlightened mind is

 flourishing with sacred activity, Bodhisattvas, and blessings that permeate your being as you walk its grounds. 

Meditating at Swayambhu temple we will allow these great aspirations to sink in. Sealed with a special retreat in the Drikung Kagyu monastery, we will allow this deep devotion and commitment for the benefit of others to blossom in our hearts.

Days 9-13: The Blessing of Long Life

Our pilgrimage culminates at the sacred Maratika Caves, a secluded retreat place nestled in the forests and mountains of eastern Nepal. Here Guru Rinpoche and Mandarava accomplished the realization of immortality through the practice of Amitayus, the Buddha of Infinite Life.

We will receive Amitayus teachings, engage in long-life practices, mantra

chanting, and prayers, and conclude with the Amitayus Long-Life Empowerment in this extraordinary place of blessing. Here, we will touch on the profound meaning of Amitayus practice: cultivating not only a long life, but a life infused with wisdom, compassion, and awakened intention.

HOW THE PILGRIMAGE WILL UNFOLD

Lama Dorje has been guiding trips to India and Nepal for over 14 years. This pilgrimage has been carefully arranged so participants can devote their attention to practice, reflection, and the shared experience of traveling through sacred places connected with the Dharma. The journey unfolds as a moving retreat, supported by a simple and well-organized container that allows the sangha to travel together with ease. Throughout the journey we will stay in simple yet cozy guesthouses or locally owned hotels, share delicious daily meals, make generous offerings to the monasteries we visit, and hold a profound space of prayer and inner growth. As we meditate at each sacred site, we will receive teachings that help us integrate the meaning of each place into our own inner growth and service to the world.

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE RETREAT?

– all food

– internal transportation

– domestic flights during the pilgrimage

– accommodations

– sacred site visits

– generous donations to monasteries

– support in planning your journey

– daily teachings in Spanish and English with Drupon Lama Dorje and other guest Lamas

 – daily tsa- lung practices

– final Long Life empowerment in Maratika caves

With the outer journey carefully supported, we can turn our attention inward—opening ourselves to the teachings, the blessings of sacred places, and the transformative power of practice.

‍HIGHLIGHTS ABOUT FLIGHTS AND TRAVEL

* The retreat begins in Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha. Participants are responsible for arriving there on their own.

* Participants are responsible for purchasing their international flight to and from Kathmandu, as well as their one-way flight from Kathmandu to Lumbini in order to arrive in time for the start of the pilgrimage.

* From there, the pilgrimage includes all transportation within the container of October 2nd – 9th across the full route Lumbini → Kathmandu → Maratika → Kathmandu (this includes a flight from Lumbini to Kathmandu on October 5th)

* On the final day of the retreat, October 13th, the bus travel will be provided from Maratika Cave back to Kathmandu, where participants can either fly home or continue with personal travel.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Please read this informative document about travel, arrival, packlists, visas, and much more!

May the merit and blessings of this pilgrimage become the causes for greater compassion, wisdom, and awakening—for ourselves and for all beings throughout space.