First Tipitaka Chanting at Bodhgaya
Over 5,000 monks, nuns to participate in
Tipitaka chanting in Bodhgaya
New Delhi. Around 5,000 monks and nuns from around the world, including from India will be gathering in Bodhgaya from December 2 to 12, 2023 for the 18th International Tipitaka chanting Programme. As a precursor to this event, a symposium was held at the National Museum today on “Revival of Buddha Dhamma in the Land of Origin”, organised jointly by the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) and the Light of Buddha Dharma Foundation International (LBDFI) of Berkeley, US, which is leading a pilgrimage this week of 40 international monks to many Buddhist sites in India.
Starting her pilgrimage in India, Dr Wangmo Dixey, Executive Director of LBDFI said, “today is an auspicious beginning as we start our Dharma Training Wheel program with 45 monastics from Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, India and Tibet. We begin our journey here, in Delhi, the capital of the homeland of Buddhism, and start by reciting from the Dhammapada, the profound text that has guided countless individuals on the path of wisdom and enlightenment.
I CANNOT ATTEND BUT I WANT TO DONATE
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
Volunteer Guide
Volunteer Guide In English
Volunteer Guide In Khmer
3rd-12thDecember 2015
06:00 – 06:45 a.m
Breakfast at Kalacakra Grounds
07.00 – 09.00 a.m
Chanting (Mahabodhi Temple)
09.00 – 09.15 a.m
Tea Break (Mahabodhi Temple)
09.15 – 10.45 a.m
Chanting (Temple)
11.00 – 01.00 p.m
Lunch
01.30 – 03.30 p.m
Chanting (Mahabodhi Temple)
03.30 – 03.45 p.m
03.45 – 05.00 p.m
Chanting (Mahabodhi Temple)
06.00 – 09.00 p.m
Dharma Talk (Under Sacred Bodhi Tree)
Travel Information
Overview of Travel Arrangements to Gaya, India:
Only direct air link from Bangkok to Gaya is operated by Thai Airways International. Seats are expensive and in short supply due to withdrawal of all competing carriers which formerly landed at the Gaya Airport.
Nearby cities with national airlinks connecting to international flights are Varanasi (VNS, Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport), at a distance of 250 km from Gaya and Patna (PAT, Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Airport), at a distance of 100 km from Gaya. Jet Airways has direct (1hr20min) and multi-hop flights to Varanasi from Delhi for those traveling from abroad. Indian Airlines has flights from Delhi to Patna. Both airlines connect with international arriving flights. Local transport must be arranged between Varanasi-Gaya by bus or train and between Patna-Gaya by bus or taxi.
Another alternative is to arrive in the international gateway cities, like Kolkata/Calcutta (CCU, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport), 500 km from Gaya, or Delhi (DEL, Indira Gandhi International Airport), 1000 km from Gaya, with onward inland transport by bus or train. Onward inland transport mode/bookings should be coordinated prior to arrival due to the complexities of purchasing tickets in India. Ample time must be left for inter-mode connections and for the complexities of Indian customs formalities.
** 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.
