India / Sri Lanka Pilgrimage

The Buddha once said that one should visit four places in our lifetime: Lumbini Nepal (the birthplace of the Buddha), Bodh Gaya (the place of the Buddha's enlightenment), Varanasi (the place where the first teaching took place) and Kusinara (the place that the Buddha passed away).

As such, the Alberta Buddhist Vihara Association (ABVA) is organizing a pilgrimage to India and Sri Lanka in early 2020. The trip intends to benefit devotees spiritually through the accumulation of merits gained by seeing and worshiping at a number of places where the Buddha stayed during his lifetime. Non-Buddhists with a serious interest in Buddhism, Buddhist history and meditation are also welcome to join us. Further, travelling to India and/or Sri Lanka is truly a lifetime and life-changing experience.

We invite all who are interested to be part of the team. Due to limited space, please register early.

There are three options (none of which include flights):

Option 1: Sri Lanka January 14-23, 2020 (9 nights and 10 days)

• • Cost 435.00 USD based on double occupancy with exclusions and additional costs as per attachment.

Option 2: India January 25- February 10, 2020 (16 nights and 17 days)

• • Cost 1015 USD based on double occupancy with exclusions and additional costs as per attachment.

Option 3: Sri Lanka AND India

• • This option will require an extra two nights accommodation and meals as well as airfare to Delhi at extra cost to the participants. It may be possible to obtain a group rate if there are enough people. The cost of the airfare will be determined once booked and should be approximately 300 USD.

Please read the attachments carefully and once you have decided to join the trip(s) provide your information by filling this form (http://bit.ly/2OcPCXW) online. We will then send you the registration form, which you should fill and submit to Alberta Insight Meditation Centre along with a 300 USD deposit for the India trip. The required deposit for Sri Lanka trip is 150 USD on registration. The balance for both trips is due on or before November 1, 2019.

Please note that the deposits and the balance payments must be paid in US Dollars in cheques, money orders, or bank drafts. No currencies other than US Dollars will be accepted due to currency exchange costs.

If you require more information or have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact Else Smart at 780-722-2741 or Ven Suseela (who will be our spiritual director on both trips) at the AIM Centre.