THE 4th VAJRA VIDYA SEMINAR
with
Venerable Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche
March 1 - 17, 2004
At the VAJRA VIDYA INSTITUTE
SARNATH, VARANASI, INDIA
MARCH 1- 17, 2004TEACHINGS BY VENERABLE THRANGU RINPOCHE
- March 1 - 5 - Powa Retreat
- March 8-17 - Commentary on "The Queen's Doha" - composed by the Mahsiddha Saraha
Seminar Fee: $100 for whole seminar
Powa Retreat only: $60
Queens Doha only: $60
Registration for the seminar will be on February 28.
Pre-registration is necessary only for accomodation at the VVI.
No advance deposits are necessary.We are planning to have the Vajra Vidya's Deer Park Guesthouse completed before the seminar. All rooms will have attached bathrooms. The guesthouse is next to the monastery. Those wishing to stay in the guesthouse for the seminar should reserve in advance. The rooms will be double occupancy. Single rooms will be available if there is enough space or people wishing single rooms can stay in the monastery (no attached bathrooms). For further enquiry: Contact: Gloria Jones,Seminar Coordinator gloriaj@mail.com.np (Nepal)
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE SEMINAR, VAJRA VIDYA, SARNATH AND VARANASI
SARNATH is a major Buddhist pilgrimage site (also known as Deer Park) and is located 10-km northeast of Varanasi. This site is where the Buddha gave the first teachings known as the Four Noble Truths and is known as the place where The Buddha turned the First Wheel of Dharma. The Vajra Vidya Institute is located just behind Deer Park. The Park is a large and beautiful area with tree, flowers, lawns and a small zoo. The ancient 34 meters high Dhamekh Stupa is located in the park along with the ruins of the ancient monasteries. Adjacent to or near the park is located monasteries and temples of different schools of Buddhism from Japan, China, Thailand, Burma and others. The Indian Buddhist society called Mahaboudhi Society maintains the park. The Mahaboudhi Temple within the park has a tooth relic of the Buddha. The area of Sarnath is very peaceful with few cars on the roads and the air is unpolluted. It is very easy to get around Sarnath on foot or by bicycle rickshaw. The Central Institute for Higher Tibetan Studies, a university for Higher Buddhist studies of all four lineages of Tibetan Buddhism is also located in Sarnath and it is possible to visit there anytime.VARANASI, know as the Holy City, is a major pilgrimage place for Hindus. The Ganges River, which flows through Varanasi, is sacred to Buddhist and Hindus alike. On the Ganges, the many temples and burning ghats for cremations make it is a very interesting place to visit. Varanasi is very crowded with air pollution. It is reputed to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. Varanasi is very famous for silks and silk brocade, traditional music and dance schools. The famous Benares Hindu University and Sanskrit University have students from all over the world. However, Varanasi, in contrast in Sarnath, is very densely populated and crowded.
HOW TO GET THERE
Varanasi can be reached either by air, train or bus from major cities in India. Most people fly first to Delhi and then get a connecting flight to Varanasi. The Varanasi airport is about 1-hour's drive from Sarnath. There are several airlines flying from Varanasi to Delhi. Airlines going every day are Indian Airlines, Jet Airways & Sahara Air. Train from Delhi takes around 18 hours and is often delayed. Sarnath is approx. 15-20 minutes by car from Varanasi. From Kathmandu, there is a direct flight four times weekly to Varanasi.
When you reach the Varanasi Airport or the city of Varanasi , take a taxi to Sarnath. When you reach Sarnath, go to the backside of Deer Park. The area is known as Kajoohay. If the driver doesn't know then ask someone directions to Kajoohay or the "Big Monastery" or "Big Mandhir" (temple). It is the largest one (by far!) in the area and is well known to the local people.
MONEYIt's advisable to change money at the airport bank on arrival to get Indian rupees for taxis etc. and some funds to last for some time so you don't need to go to the bank for awhile. The rate for the Indian Rupee to U.S. dollar is approx. 43 rupees to one dollar. There are banks in Sarnath (and of course in Varanasi if you need to change more money later). There is one bank that does credit card withdrawals. Most convertible currencies can be exchanged but U.S. dollars are best. Pound sterling, Canadian dollar, Deutchmark can be exchanged. It's best to bring traveler's cheques for most of your money for security reasons and some cash for easy exchange.
VISAYou must get an Indian visa at an Indian Embassy in your own country before arrival in India. It is not possible to get visa at the airport. Most Indian Embassies issue a six month multiple entry visa. In some countries it's possible to get a long-term visa (10 years in U.S.) if you have traveled previously to India. If you are travelling to Nepal, you can get a one-month visa at the airport that can be extended at the immigration office in Kathmandu. The cost of the visa is $30 US.
WHERE TO STAYAt the Vajra Vidya Institute
The new Deer Park Guesthouse, which belongs to the VVI, is currently under construction. The completion of two floors is planned for the seminar. During the seminar, the rooms will need to be double occupancy. All the rooms have attached bathrooms. The cost will be $15 a day per person including meals. There will be some rooms also available in the Institute for those wishing to stay alone or in case of the guesthouse being full. Bathrooms are not attached. There are common bathrooms with hot water and western style toilets. The cost is $10 a day per person. To reserve, contact Gloria Jones: gloriaj@mail.com.np
MEALS: at the VVI are vegetarian with fruit served daily. Tea and coffee are served with every meal. People staying elsewhere are welcome to pay for meals at the VVI.The Golden Buddha Guesthouse
With attached bathrooms and a private garden. There are 16 rooms at approx. $10 to $20 per day with out meals. The rooms have attached bathrooms. It's about a 30 minute walk from the institute or you can take a bicycle rickshaw. Bicycles can be rented nearby. The Guesthouse has a restaurant with continental menu but service is very slow. The downstairs rooms are a bit scruffy but cool. The new upstairs rooms have only a double bed in each room.
To reserve contact the owner: John Upadhyaya: johnupadhyaya@rediffmail.com
Phone: 91-542-587933 or 311030 (home)Jain Paying Guesthouse
Located near the park with seven rooms with common bathroom at around $5 a day without meals. There is one room with bathroom and hot water. They cook vegetarian meals.
Contact owner: Dr. Jain at: jpgh@rediffmail.com
Phone: 0091-542-585621
www.visitsarnath.comOther
Some of the other monasteries in the area have attached guesthouses which are very basic. There are many decent hotels in Varanasi from medium prices (around $12-$25 a day). There are also a number of budget hotels. If you are interested check "The Lonely Planet Guide to India". For more luxurious accomodation there's the Taj Gang (five star). Previously, some participants stayed at "Clarks of Varanasi" which is a 4* hotel and very comfortable with swimming pool etc. Discounted room price was around $40-$50 a day.
Phone: 91-542-348501 Fax: 348186 clarkvns@satyam.net.inAlso check out Hotels in Varanasi. If necessary, Gloria Jones can try to book a hotel for you.
WEATHER & CLOTHINGThe weather will be hot so bring light clothing and sandals for Sarnath. In late February it can be a bit cold at night and in the morning so bring a few warm things. If you plan to travel to Dharmsala , Darjeeling District, Sikkim or Nepal you will need some warmer clothing and a light jacket and umbrella.
OTHER TRAVELIf travelling to or from Nepal, there is an Indian Airlines flight about four times weekly from Varanasi to Kathmandu. From Varanasi, Bhoudgaya can be reached by train or by car within one day. To get to Dharmsala people generally travel from Delhi and go either by air (3 flights a week), train or bus. You can get to Sikkim by flying from Delhi to Bagdogara in the Darjeeling District or by train to Bagdogara and then bus to Gangtok, Sikkim. Kalu Rinpoche and Bokar Rinpoche's monasteries are in the Darjeeling district and can also be reached from Bagdogara (near Siligaree). Airfare between Delhi and Varanasi and Kathmandu/Varanasi is about the same - around $72 one way. Kathmandu to Delhi is $142-one way. Several airlines fly daily between Varanasi and Delhi daily and are approx. $72 one way.
There will likely be other people attending the seminar who will want to go to some of these places if you want to organize a group to travel together. If you will be travelling in India I would suggest that you buy "The Lonely Planet Guide to India" for travel and accommodation info etc.
COMMUNICATIONS
We have both e-mail facilities and long distance phone service (STD) and fax in the Institute. There is also a photocopy machine. There are also communications offices in Sarnath for long distance telephone calls, faxing, e-mail etc.
MEDICAL CAREMedical care is not as good as Kathmandu but there are doctors of western and herbal medicine as well as homeopathic doctors. There are many well-stocked pharmacies with most types of ordinary medicines. Many pharmaceutical companies in Europe and America are in partnership with Indian companies. We have a small clinic with medicines in the VVI.
LAUNDRYThere is a laundry person on the VVI premises who picks up laundry in the morning and delivers it washed and ironed in the evening. The hotels also have laundry services.
WHAT TO BRING
- A small flashlight for power outages and walking at night (you can buy flashlights in India but they are not as good).
- mosquito repellent for evening
- medicines and vitamins that you take regularly
- tapes and tape recorder if you wish to have tapes of the teachings.
- a few hangers if you need them
- a few clothepins etc. if you will be doing small laundry.
THE VAJRA VIDYA BOOK AND GIFT STORE SELLS MOST DHARMA ITEMS, THANKAS, STATUES, BOOKS AND TEXTS. THERE IS ALSO A COFFEE SHOP RUN BY THE MONK'S WELFARE ASSOCIATION (VERY POPULAR!) Soap,toothpaste, toilet paper, mineral water, batteries, camera film, notebooks, pens, chocolate bars, cookies and snacks are available in VVI coffeeshop. There's also stores across the street from the VVI and in the nearby village of Sarnath. Fruit sellers everywhere.
TAPES OF THE TEACHINGS: will not be available. If you wish, you can tape yourself or order later from Namo Buddha Publications.
THE SEMINAR PROGRAM
Breakfast 7:00 or 7:30 a.m. Sadhana Practice 8:00 - 8:45 a.m. Meditation period 9:00 - 9:50 a.m. Teachings 10:00 -11:30 a.m. (approx.) Lunch 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. (approx.) Break 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. Tea 2:30 p.m. Classes 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.- Tibetan Language, Text Study or Discussion Groups Dinner 6:00 p.m. Sadhana Practice 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Teachings will be Monday to Friday only. There will be times for scheduled personal or group interviews with Thrangu Rinpoche. There will be some requested empowerments given by Thrangu Rinpoche. The two weekends are free for rest, practice, study, visiting Varanasi etc. We will have some scheduled events on the weekend (such as a picnic with Thrangu Rinpoche). Participants are welcome to practice in the various shrinerooms.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION FOR VVI ACCOMODATION CONTACT:Gloria Jones, Seminar Coordinator gloriaj@mail.com.np
Fax: 977-1-447-2529 / Phone: 447-2024CONTACT NUMBERS FOR THE VAJRA VIDYA INSTITUTE
PHONE: 91-542-259-5744 (Office) FAX: 91-542-259-5746
vajravidya@yahoo.comDo not contact the Vajra Vidya Institute about the seminar or rooming. These numbers are only to give to your family etc. in case of emergency or to contact Gloria Jones after February 20, 2003.
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