First Tipitaka Chanting at Sankasya

Sankasya 5th Abhidhamma Chanting

International Abhidamma International Chanting Ceremony Sankasya

Chanting the Tipitaka – A Revival of an Ancient Tradition

In 2013 LBDFI installed a Dharma Bell in the historic site of Sankasya, the site where the Buddha returned to the earth from the heavenly realm at the end of the seventh Vassa, having taught the Abhidamma to his mother and other devas. It is also recorded that the Buddha returned every day to eat in the northern continent, and Sariputta went there by his psychic power and served him and so was able to receive the teachings, returning to Sankasya to write them down every evening in a nearby vihara. Because of this, Sankasya is associated with the Abhidamma and venerated by all Buddhists as one of the eight ancient sites of pilgrimage.

During the installation of the bell, Executive Director Wangmo Dixey discussed the possibility of starting an annual Abhidamma Tipitaka Chanting ceremony with the local viharas, and with the support of friends in Dhamma it was decided to begin the first Abhidamma Tipitaka Chanting Ceremony on November 11-13th 2014.

This year’s ceremony, scheduled for November 11-14th 2015, will be the second time the Abhidamma is chanted in Sankasya by an international sangha of Theravadin monks.

LBDFI will offer free copies of the Abhidamma Pitaka to all participants.

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Useful Information for Lay Attendees

All people interested in attending the Tipitaka Chanting Ceremony are most welcome.

Registration is reserved for the Bhikkhu Sangha as the organizing committee sponsors their travel expenses within India, but laypeople form an important and valued part of the ceremony itself. The Tipitaka Chanting Council welcomes all who wish to attend, and whilst attendees are requested to make their own arrangements for travel, accommodation and food.

The schedule of the ceremony comprises daily chanting evening, dhamma talks, and a pilgrimage following the completion of the ceremony. Please come and continue the growth of the chanting ceremony as a true festival of the Buddhadharma in India.

Volunteer Opportunities

  • Food Serving Team
  • Registration Team
  • Tea and Coffee Serving
  • Cooks
  • Decoration Team
  • Clean up Team
  • Medical Team
  • General Information Team

12th-14thNovember 2015

06:00 – 06:45 a.m

Breakfast at YBS Grounds

07.00 – 09.00 a.m

Chanting (Abhidhamma)

09.00 – 09.15 a.m

Tea Break (YBS Grounds)

09.15 – 11.00 a.m

Chanting (Abhidhamma)

11.00 – 01.00 p.m

Lunch (Offering by local Upasikas and International Guests)

01.30 – 03.30 p.m

Chanting (Abhidhamma)

03.30 – 03.45 p.m

Tea Break (Offering by local Upasikas)

03.45 – 05.00 p.m

Chanting (Abhidhamma)

06.00 – 09.00 p.m

Dharma Talk

Travel Information

The best way to connect from New Delhi to Sankasya

From New Delhi, take a train to Agra (3 hours)

Recommended trains

  • Shatabdi express #2002, Departs at 6:15am, a/c is available
  • Kerala Express #2626, Departs at 11:30am, a/c is not available

Agra was the capital of the great Mughal Emperor Akbar, who started the building of the Agra Fort. His grandson Shah Jahan built the beautiful monument to love, the Taj Mahal, as a mausoleum for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Visit the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort.
Siris 18 (B, L, D)

  • From Agra, drive to Sankasya (2 hours)

Sankasya was an important city in ancient India. Sankasya received its fame from statements and claims recorded in the ancient commentaries to the Tipitaka After the Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana (passing away) Emperor Ashoka developed this place and installed one of his famous Pillars of Ashoka in the city, from which the elephant capital survives. He also built a stupa and a temple commemorating the visit of the Buddha. This temple exists even today and the ruins of the stupa are also present as a temple of Vishari Devi, said to be the mother of Gautama Buddha
The Royal Residency Sanksaya (B, L, D)

** Note that passport must have at least six months’ validity to the date of departure from India. **

WHAT TO BRING?

Clothing

  • Comfortable shoes with good tread.
  • A sweater and outer jacket are recommended since temperatures can drop close to freezing in January.
  • Men should bring lightweight cotton pants and women should bring long skirts or dresses of a lightweight material with long sleeves. Men may wish to take one tie and jacket for formal meetings. To respect local customs, shorts and tank tops should be avoided.
  • Socks/ Sock slippers for the temple (To wear in dirty/dusty shoe-free locations. e.g. inside temple grounds)

Luggage

  • Luggage locks are strongly recommended.
  • A carry-on bag or daypack. International flights may only allow one piece of carry on luggage.
  • If carrying along expensive electronics or photography equipment, declare before entering India.

Supplies

  • Extra pair of glasses and/or your prescription in case of theft or loss.
  • A flashlight (power can go out several times a day).
  • A small pocket-knife for peeling fruit.
  • An electrical coil for boiling water.
  • An India wall plug adapter for electrical equipment. Also India has 220V/50Hz power so you might need a converter.
  • Money belt for passports, credit cards, cash etc.
  • For your own protection, please have a photocopy of the first 2 pages of your passport and the page with Indian Visa.
  • We recommend that you bring some light food with you for snacks. Ex. Granola bars, power bars, powdered protein drinks, instant oat meal, nuts, herbal tea, hot chocolate and dried fruits.
  • You may need mosquito repellent. Mosquito nets are usually provided by guest houses. Enclosed, zipped net tents are available in Bodhgaya for ~300 Rs
  • Please carry hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
  • You may also need hand gel/liquid hand soap, disposable face masks, rags/antibacterial cleaning liquid, plastic sheet/cushion for meditation, sleeping bag for overnight stay and medicines as necessary.

The 4th International Tipitaka Chanting program is just 9 weeks away! If you have not registered yet, please take this precious opportunity to do so.We are surely looking forward to seeing you again!

2017 International Resounding of the Precious Tipitaka in Berkeley!

I WISH TO REGISTER

I CANNOT ATTEND BUT I WANT TO DONATE

10th International Tipitaka Chanting Ceremony (Bodhgaya, India, December 2nd-13th 2014)

All dana sponsorship is done in front of the Sangha on the day that you host. Individuals or Sangha groups may sponsor together to host this meritorious offering. $10,000 covers the cost of 18 dishes (International and Indian) for as many as 4,600 participants to make the food offering possible for breakfast and lunch. This means that each meal costs $2.17 for breakfast and lunch per person. All donations are given in front of the Sangha from the direct lay devotee to the Chief Organiser. All left-over food stuffs will be given to the local Viharas as an offering. No other fundraising is allowed on behalf of ITCC unless directly authorized and given permission. Fundraising done in the name of ITCC without permission is a direct offense of the organization and the good will and merit of these offerings. Receipts will be given by the ITCC and signed by the Chief Organiser once the funds are distributed in front of the witness of the Sangha. If you should know of anyone who is soliciting funds in the name of ITCC who is not authorized by ITCC, please inform the Council at [email protected].

Hosting Dates need to be reserved no later than October 2015. Please send your intentions [email protected] in advance.

For our 11th International Tipitaka Chanting Ceremony, we are grateful to the following individuals and institutions for their most kind generosity:

Nagpur food offering table chart

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