SACRED JOURNEY TO BHUTAN ‘Tsok Kyi Khorlo’ Ganachakra Dedicated To On His Birth Anniversary 13th - 18th Jun 2016 ‘Tsok Kyi Khorlo’ Ganachakra Puja Dedicated To Guru Padmasambhava On His Birth Anniversary

(2016) an auspicious year for The Bhutanese, The year of the Golden Monkey is Guru ’s birth year. With such auspiciousness, Shora Marvels invites you to join us on a sacred journey to Bhutan. This year our sacred Puja will be hosted by His Eminence Trulku Nawang Choeda Jamtso at TASHIGANG GEOMBA – a sacred retreat center where Je Khenpos (Central Monastery Chief Abbot) and Great have meditated and enlightened.

During the 8th century, Guru Rinpoche (originally known as Padmasambhava) is one of the greatest Buddhist Saint. As a Buddhist tantric master, he brought the teachings to Bhutan and other Himalayan countries

His Eminence Trulku Nawang Choeda Jamtso Rinpoche – The reincarnaon of His Holiness, Kuenga Jamtso (The 12th Kyabje Je Khenpo of Bhutan) was recognized & enthroned by the present Je Khenpo, Trulku Jigme Choedrak (The 70th Kyabje Je Khenpo of Bhutan) & The Royal Family of Bhutan.

Tour Highlights

Feast Nest Flag Hoisting Dedicated to Guru One of Bhutan’s A ceremony to Padmasambhava – iconic landmarks eliminate hosted by His and religious site. & accumulate Eminence Trulku merits Nawang Choeda Jamtso His Eminence Lopon Kado Rinpoche

His Eminence Lopon Kado Rinpoche is highly reputable and very well respected in Bhutan – one of the most experienced and learned Meditaon Master in the Drukpa , a contemporary to His Holiness Jetsun Tenzin Dondrup (the 68th Kyabje Je Khenpo of Bhutan).

A monk at a tender age of 11, His Eminence proceeded to aain the highest training in Mahamudra meditaon – renowned in Bhutan for upholding the precious Drukpa Kagyu lineage of meditaon.

At the age of 58, His Eminence served as the Machen Zimpon (a rank equivalent to the 5 Lopon of the central monasc body). His Eminence subsequently served as the Principle Meditaon Master for 20 years at the Tango Retreat Centre and connues to serve at the Tashigang Goemba Meditaon Centre for the last 27 years to date. The Sacred Journey Begins…

Upon arrival at Paro Internaonal Airport, we will assist you on the arrival procedures – follow by self-collecon of luggage. Our transport will bring you on a 1-hour scenic journey to Thimphu for checking-in.

Memorial :- built in 1974, in great memory of Bhutan's Third King - His Late Majesty, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. Throughout the day, visitors will find Bhutanese people circumambulang the Chorten (Seat of Faith). The Chorten, with its gorgeous painngs and intricate sculptures, is oen called the ‘Mind of Buddha’ – an extraordinary example of and artwork.

SACRED JOURNEY TO BHUTAN- DAY 1

Simtokha Dzong:- is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan. The Eight Manifestaons of Guru Rinpoche, Jampelyang (the Bodhisaava of Wisdom) and Shakya Gyalpo (the Buddha of ); are among the countless and exquisitely detailed statues and painngs housed in the Dzong.

Tashichho Dzong:- built in 1641, was completely renovated and enlarged in tradional style using neither nails nor wrien plans.

King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck iniated the renovaon over five years aer he moved the capital to Thimphu in 1962. Currently open for tourist visits aer office hours, Tashichho Dzong houses the throne room with the offices of the king, the secretariat and the ministries of home affairs & finance. Prayer Flag Hoisting Ceremony

Aer breakfast, we will take a short hike up to Tango Goemba where the prayer flag hoisng ceremony will be held. It is the highest center of Buddhist learning in Bhutan – founded in the 13th century by Gyalwa Lhanampa and brought to its present form by Tenzin Rabgye (the 4th Temporal Ruler in 1688).

In 1616, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, meditated in the cave. The monastery is the residence of the lama, Druk Desi Gyaltsen Tenzin Rabgye – a reincarnaon of the 16th century monk who founded Tango or ‘Horse Head’ (the deity Hayagriva).

SACRED JOURNEY TO BHUTAN- DAY 2

Free & Easy in Thimpu

Aer lunch, vising The Folk Heritage Museum. A Three-story, rammed-earth and mber building restored and furnished as it would have been about a century ago – providing a glimpse into tradional Bhutanese life. Then, take a stroll down the town of Thimphu, the only capital city in the world with no traffic lights. ‘Ganachakra’ Feast Offering Puja

At an altude of 3200 meters above sea level, Tashigang Goemba is considered as one of the most sacred retreat places in Bhutan – where many Je Khenpos, Lopoens and Lamas have meditated. The monastery houses many sacred relics, built in 1782 – the residence of Je Kuenga Jamtso (the 12th Je Khenpo). Previous Je Tashigang KhenposGeomba personally sculpt the statues of themselves and it is believed that they have placed all the relics (their private possessions) inside – thus, it is considered as one of Bhutan’s most sacred retreat place.

SACRED JOURNEY TO BHUTAN- DAY 3

09:00 : Arrive at Tashigang Geomba

09:30 : Invitation Prayer, , Cleansing chants 10.30 : Prayer, Prostration & Meditate chanting

12:00 : lighting of a 1000 butter lamp 13:00 : Lunch 14.30 : Blessing & appreciation offering to Guru Rinpoche

16:00 : Ceremony end 16:05 : Tea Break 17:00 : Audience with His Eminence Lopon Kado Rinpoche –

One of Bhutan top Meditation Master Buddha Dordenma The massive statue of Shakyamuni made of bronze and is gilded in gold – is measured at a height of 61.8m (inclusive of a 20m throne), making it one of the largest sing Buddha statue in the world. 125,000 smaller Buddha statues (100,000 of 8-inch and 25,000 of 12- inch tall) were placed within the Buddha Dordenma’s statue. Each of these thousands of Buddhas, had also been casted in bronze and gilded. The throne that the Buddha Dordenma sits upon is a large meditaon hall.

SACRED JOURNEY TO BHUTAN- DAY 4

Kila Nunnery

Kila Nunnery was built in the 9th century AD and was said to be the oldest nunnery in Bhutan.

We will organize a Charitable Acvity – Donaon of daily necessies (will be prepared in advance) to offer to 60 nuns.

The Paro Dzong:- built in 1646, is one of Bhutan's most impressive and well-known Dzongs. The massive buressed walls that towers over the town is visible throughout the valley – perhaps the finest example of Bhutanese architecture you'll see. Scenes from Bernardo Bertolucci's was filmed here in 1995.

Aer Paro Dzong, a Cultural Night Gala Dinner will be hosted for you. All guests are invited to aend this Gala Dinner with tradional are Gho & Kira at your perusal. Tradional music, cultural dance and local delicacies are specially prepared. Hike To Taktsang (Tiger Nest)

SACRED JOURNEY TO BHUTAN- DAY 5

Taktsang Lhakhang is one of Bhutan’s iconic landmarks and religious site. The name Taktsang translates to “The Tiger’s Nest” and Lhakhang to “Temple”. Located approximately 10 km north of Paro town at 3120m above sea level and 900m above the Paro Valley, this magnificent temple clings impossibly to a sheer cliff. It was first built in 1692 in a cave where Guru Rinpoche meditated in the 8th century AD. Legend has it that Guru Rimpoche went there to subdue evil demons residing within it. The cave has been considered a sacred site ever since, many famous saints have travelled to meditate in it. In order to arrive at the temple, visitors must trek for around 2-3 hours through beauful, shady pine forests. No trip to Bhutan would be complete without a visit to this remarkable heritage site.

Kyichu Lhakhang is one of the oldest(dang back to the 7th century)in Bhutan. Kyichu Lhakhang is composed of twin temples. The first temple was built by Buddhist Tibetan King, in the 7th century and the second temple was built by Ashi Kesang Choden (the Royal Queen Mother of Bhutan) in 1965.

SACRED JOURNEY TO BHUTAN ITINERARY

Date Itinerary

Arrival: Paro – Thimphu

13 June Memorial Stupa (Monday) Simtokha Dzong Tashichho Dzong

Hotel: 5 star, 3 star Meals: B/L/D Transport: Plane, Car

Thimphu

14 June Prayer Flag Hoisting Ceremony (Tuesday) The Folk Heritage Museum Explore Thimphu Town

Hotel: 5 star, 3 star Meals: B/L/D Transport: Coach

Thimphu 15 June (Wednesday) ‘Ganachakra’ Feast Offering Puja

Hotel: 5 star, 3 star Meals: B/L/D Transport: Coach

Thimphu-Paro

Buddha Dordenma 16 June Kila Nunnery – Charity Event (Thursday) Paro Dzong Cultural Night Gala Dinner

Hotel: 5 star, 3 star Meals: B/L/D Transport: Coach

Paro

17 June Hike to Taktsang (Tiger Nest) (Friday) Kyichu Lhakhang

Hotel: 5 star, 3 star Meals: B/L/D Transport: Coach

Departure: Paro – Bangkok 18 June (Saturday) After breakfast, leave Paro and back to Bangkok

Hotel: no Meals: B Transport: Coach, Plane

PACKAGES

Departure Date : 13 June - Depart from Bangkok Package : 6 Days/5 Nights Departure from Bangkok (Closing date for registration 6 May 2016) • Eco-Luxury = USD 2,588 per pax, 3 star local hotel (twin sharing) and Return Economy class ticket Bangkok-Paro-Bangkok Single room supplement: additional USD 380 per pax • High-end Luxury = USD 3,888 per pax, 5 star local hotel (twin sharing) and Return Economy class ticket Bangkok-Paro-Bangkok Single Room supplement: additional USD 720 per pax

Tour Package inclusion: 1. Return economy class airfare as specified in the inerary 2. All accommodaon as specified in the inerary 3. All meals provided as specified in the inerary 4. All entrance fees to place of interest as specified in the inerary 5. Private transportaon with experienced driver. 6. Bhutan Chinese guide 7. Airport taxes, Bhutan Visa fee, tariff & surcharges

Tour Package exclusion: 1. Any ps & gratuies that incurred during the tour. 2. Personal Passport Process Fee 3. Travel Insurance covering trip curtailment, emergency rescue and medical evacuaon, etc. 4. Personal expenditure such as phone calls, internet access, laundry services, paid television programme, all so/hard beverages, laundry services, hotel porter service, etc. 5. Other opons or expenses not menoned in the inclusions above. 6. Any expenses or losses incurred due to the customer’s breach of contract, behavior, illness or negligence.

Refund policy: Any cancellaon made before 45 days prior to departure (before 1 May), aer deducng all the necessary expenses incurred for the cancellaon, the balance tour fee collected from the customer will be refunded

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T : +65 6546 2555 E : [email protected] www.shoramarvels.com Ganachakra

The word for ‘feast offering’ in is Ganachakra – translated into Tibetan is tsok kyi khorlo(wheel of accumulation). Gathering the two accumulations of and wisdom is the supreme and indispensable method for clearing away the clouds of obscuration that prevents us from realizing our Buddha-nature. The practice of feast offerings is one of the most skillful way to swiftly gather the accumulations of merits, purify our obscuration and mend our broken . In many of Guru Rinpoche’s treasure teachings; it says that performing feast offerings generate tremendous merit. There are instances where Guru Rinpoche appeared in person during feast offerings to bless the practitioners who were calling upon him with unwavering devotion.