Sitting with the Buddha

On January 6th 2012, 18 members of the DharmaMind Group went on pilgrimage to north India to Walk in the Footsteps of the Buddha. During the two week tour we visited all the significant historical sites, and meditated with the Buddha at all the major locations that shaped a life that spanned 80 years.

It was a life changing experience for many of us, and a pilgrimage that none of us will ever forget.

Hundreds of photo's were taken by the members of the group and a collection that records (in no particular order) the diversity of the experience of the tour, can now be viewed on Flickr. Please click on the link and enjoy a taste of a truly memorable adventure.

URL : DharmaMind Buddhist Group on Flickr

 

Before we meditated at many of the sites, someone in the group would read a section or the whole of a sutra that we felt was significant to the particular location. Here is a list of those reading and where they can be obtained:

At Sravasti: (Jetavana) Matt read from the Shurangama Sutra, beginning of Section three:
http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/surangama.pdf  (pages 137-141) **warning - this link opens a large pdf file**.

At Lumbini: Andy read the Nalaka Sutta: To Nalaka: http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/snp/snp.3.11.than.html

At Kusinara: James read from the Maha-parinibbana Sutta: Last Days of the Buddha (Part Five: At Kusinara, Sections entitled Last Place of Rest and Four Places of Pilgrimage). http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/dn/dn.16.1-6.vaji.html

At Sarnath: Karen & Margaret read the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta: Setting in Motion the Wheel of Truth: http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn56/sn56.011.piya.html

At Vulture's Peak: Mike Hogan & Rob read from the Vajracchedika Prajnaparamita Sutra (Diamond Sutra): the first few pages: http://www.sinc.sunysb.edu/Clubs/buddhism/sutras/diamond1.html

At Dhungeswara Mountain (the cave where Buddha practiced austerities): Shaun read the Kula Sutta: Families: http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn42/sn42.009.than.html

At Bodh Gaya: Matt read from the Avatamsaka Sutra (Flower Ornament Sutra), chapter 40: http://www.sinc.sunysb.edu/Clubs/buddhism/pxxyp/index.html