Event : Phowa Course by Ayang Rinpoche
Date : Dec 25 2010 to Jan 3 2011
Venue : Bodhgaya, India
Website : http://ayangrinpoche.org/
Map 1 : http://www.sacred-destinations.com/india/bodhgaya-map.htm
Map 2 : http://www.mahabodhi.com/Kalachakra-02/map-bodhgaya.htm
Dec 25 Saturday 5.30.PM
Introduction to Phowa
Dec 26 Sunday 5.PM
Buddha Amitabha Empowerment
Dec 27 Monday Thursday
6.AM Phowa Teaching
5.PM Phowa Teaching (Continue)
Dec 28 Friday
6.AM Phowa Oral Transmission Blessing*
5.PM Phowa Practice
Dec 29 Saturday
6.AM Buddha Vajrasattva Teaching
5.PM Phowa Practice
Dec 30
8.AM Drikung Phowa Teaching
2.PM Drikung Phowa Practice
5.PM Three Excellence Teaching *
Dec 31
8.AM Buddha Amitabha Meditation Teaching *
2.PM Drikung Phowa Practice
5.PM Namchoe Amitabha short Sadhana Practice.
Jan 1 Tuesday
8.AM Teaching on doing Phowa for others at moment of death. *
2.PM Short Nyingma Phowa Practice
5.30.PM Milarepa Tsog Offering Prayer
Jan 2 Wednesday
8.AM Teaching on doing Phowa for oneself at moment of death.
2.PM Short Drikung Phowa Practice
5.30.PM Instruction on Phowa Practice after Phowa Course
Jan 3 Thursday
8.AM Amitabha Buddha Tsog offering and Amitabha
Pureland Aspiration Prayer. *
Programme based on Jan 5-14 2009 Bodhgaya Phowa Course
* Indicates: Open for Public
Registration for the Phowa Course in Bodhgaya is not necessary
the teachings are free. If you wish, you can make personal offerings
for the course and to the teacher. Texts and practice CDs will be
available to purchase for a nominal fee. Bread and tea are served
mid-morning and mid-afternoon at the teachings free of charge.
Water and other snacks are available for sale in the teaching area. A
variety of inexpensive meditation cushions and mats are available for
purchase at stalls in town. The course is located behind the main stupa complex. Ask at your hotel or look for signs posted around the Mahabodhi stupa.
Travel
The nearest airport is Gaya International Airport, which is about 7 km from Bodhgaya.
Thai Airways, Sri Lankan, Royal Bhutan Airlines and Air India have direct or connecting flights to Gaya from different cities. If you fly to Gaya you will need to make advance arrangements for a taxi to Bodhgaya, which will cost 400 Rs. A three-wheeler taxi from the airport is approximately 150 Rs. The nearest Railway connection is Gaya Railway Station which is about 15 km to Bodhgaya. It is connected by local and express trains (Rajdhani) from Delhi, Kolkata and other major train stations in India. A three-wheeler taxi from the train station to Bodhgaya costs 70-100 Rs, while a car costs 250-300 Rs.
When traveling in India it is a good idea to lock your luggage and keep an eye on it.
Hotels and Restaurants
There are many clean and safe budget guest houses, mid-range hotels and luxury
hotels in Bodhgaya, but they fill up quickly in December and January. There are also
plenty of inexpensive restaurants with a variety of Asian and Western food. Boiled
water and tea are safe to drink, but be sure to check that bottled water is well sealed
and the bottles are not dented. A small travel electric water boiler (with adapter for
Asian outlets and converter for 220V) would be helpful for making tea or coffee in your
hotel room.
Money
There is an ATM at the State Bank of India and money changers at the larger hotels.
You can also change money at the airport or ATMs in Delhi. Be prudent about keeping your travel documents and money in a safe pocket, fanny pack or travel pouch.
Weather
The weather in Bodhgaya in January is generally clear and free of rain. The
temperature ranges from 10-22 deg. C (50-72 deg. F). You will appreciate having a
jacket or warm sweater for evening prayers and circumambulating the Stupa and for
early morning teachings. Foreigners may dress in Western or Tibetan style clothes.
Health
Please contact your own physician or health advisor for recommendations about
immunizations, anti-malarial or other travel medicines, and the need for a flu shot prior to coming to India. Because of the crowded conditions and pollution many people easily catch colds, and some people bring or purchase face masks for protection. There are Western, Tibetan, homeopathic and ayurvedic doctors and medicines available in Bodhgaya. It is a good idea to bring a mosquito net for comfortable sleeping.
Travel arrangements
For Bodhgaya train bookings or room bookings the following travel agents in Delhi are
very helpful. Compare both agents to receive better pricing.
Himalayan Travels
Mr. Karma Lhundup
[email protected]
Mobile +91 9811148031
Office +91 11 2381 9520/2381 3488
Senge Travels and Tours Pvt Ltd
http://www.sengetravels.com/
Mr. Dorji Kyibuk
[email protected]
Mobile +91 9810235910
Office +91 11 65975248/65975252/23819209
Website : http://ayangrinpoche.org/wordpress/wp-content/download/travelbodhgaya.pdf