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NEW FOM STUDY TOUR LAUNCHES NOW!

The Land of the Buddha: Circuit

February 3-16, 2018 (13 days, 13 nights) Tour Leader: Abha Kaul; email: [email protected]

This classic study tour to takes us to the most important and iconic sites associated with the Buddha’s life and teachings. While we travel in lands sacred to all Indians, notably Hindus, Jains and Sikhs, we will focus on Buddhist pilgrimage spots along the Gangetic Plain in eastern and Bihar, and on the border with Nepal. Around 2,500 years ago, Gautam Buddha lived and wandered in this very region for 80 years, famously seeking, finding and teaching the meaning of and means to a happy and peaceful life.

Our journey is centred on the four major sites the Buddha advised his followers and to visit at least once in their lifetime after he passed away – , where the historical Buddha, Prince Siddhartha, was born when Queen Mayawati journeyed to her parents’ home to give birth; , ’s most important site, where Prince Siddhartha attained enlightenment and was “born” as the Buddha under the holy ; , where the Buddha delivered his first sermon and set the into motion teaching the 4 Noble Truths, 8-Fold Path and the ; and , where the Buddha left his mortal body and attained ‘Mahaparnirvana’. Two of these are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and all are magnets for international pilgrims from across the globe. We will also visit some of the lesser-travelled but renowned Buddhist spots: ancient Kapilvastu, where the young Prince Siddhartha was raised in his father’s palace; Shravasti, where the Buddha spent 24 rainy seasons and performed miracles; , ancient Licchhavi capital where the Buddha preached for the last time; , royal capital of the pre-Mauryan kingdom, where the Buddha meditated and taught well-known sutras atop Vulture’s Peak; and , site of the first and biggest-ever excavated university in the world. These are significant and fascinating sites for both Buddhist pilgrims and all heritage travellers. In addition, we will stop in Delhi, the country’s capital city and site of a well-preserved Pillar; , seat of Indian Nawabi culture and architecture (and launch pad for Shravasti, Kapilvastu and Lumbini); Patna, capital of both modern Bihar and the legendary Ashoka the Great; and in the fabled Hindu centre of Benares or , India’s holiest city on the River Ganga, near Sarnath. All along, we will explore rich architectural ruins, vibrant living , museums filled with rare treasures, and other interesting sites. We will learn about the Buddha’s life and times, become familiar with and architecture, and be physically present in the very places written about and depicted in centuries-old Buddhist literature and culture. This unique tour expands our understanding and appreciation of India’s great civilisation, traditions and heritage, especially its priceless Buddhist legacy to the world, and gives Indophiles a chance to travel on a special, spiritual and historical route trodden by monks, monarchs and devoted masses over the centuries.

It is almost a two week long trip as there are several places of interest scattered over a wide tract of north India, with some lengthy bus rides involved. This is not a typical holiday or tourist route with high-end or well-developed commercial infrastructure, but a fairly frequented circuit with modest amenities. Participants must be fully prepared for this, but we will stay in the most comfortable hotels available and travel in modern vehicles. It is a travel experience of a lifetime that certainly teaches, touches and transforms.

The approximate cost of this study tour is SGD$5,000 per person, which includes all airfare, double-sharing accommodation in best quality hotels all meals, bottled water, transport, entrance fees, guides, tips, and also travel insurance and a contribution to the FOM general fund. It does not include visa fees and personal expenses such as alcoholic drinks, laundry or phone calls.

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To register for the tour please bring or send the following to the FOM Office by September 1, 2017: (i) a completed FOM Study Tours Registration Form (to download and print from the FOM website) (ii) a completed FOM Release Form (also to download and print from the FOM website) (iii) a photocopy of the first page of your passport (containing relevant details), and (iv) a deposit cheque of SGD$1,500 payable to “FOM” (deposit payments may also be made via credit card or bank transfer)

FOM Office Mailing Address: FOM Study Tours: Buddhist Pilgrimage, India 2018 Friends of the Museums (FOM) 61 Stamford Road #02-06 Stamford Court Singapore 178892

PLEASE NOTE: Information on further payments will be sent out later with a detailed itinerary to registered participants. All travellers must have updated membership status with FOM. Overseas FOM members will be added to the list of participants after an initial registration period of one week, giving local members priority. First pre-trip meeting: TBA If you have questions, please contact Abha Kaul at 9825 1769 or [email protected]