FPMT in Australia is delighted to announce that highly-distinguished Buddhist teacher, Geshe Tenzin Zopa, will lead a pilgrimage to holy sites in Nepal including Lumbini in November 2023. The pilgrimage will use Kopan nunnery as a base for its first component, and Geshela will lead us in devotional sessions as we visit Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche's holy body which is located at nearby Kopan monastery. This experience provides an opportunity for personal transformation under the guidance of a Tibetan Buddhist master, and the emphasis will be on spiritual practices and teachings that Geshe Zopa will lead us through each day.

Registrations have been open for several weeks - we have several places remaining. You can register by clicking on the button on the top right hand corner of this page. A deposit of $100 then needs to be paid within two days (Detailed information on how to do this will be emailed). All applicants will be sent a Medical Questionnaire to fill out. Final confirmation of applicants' places occurs upon review of their medical information and upon receipt of their completed Terms and Conditions and Release, Waiver and Acknowledgement forms which can be found on the website.

This pilgrimage is for FPMT students with a strong connection to an FPMT centre who are physically and mentally able to undertake pilgrimage.

The itinerary includes visits to the following sites:

Sawayambu Stupa Vajrayogini (Bijeswari temple)
Vajrayogini temple of Sankhu Bouddha
Kathmandu - holy places of Atisha, Tara and Chenrezig
Patan, with the focus on the Chenrezig site, Statue making and Mahaboudha temple
Pharping (Guru Rinpoche and Vajrayogini holy sites)
Maratika Caves - Guru Rinpoche site
Namo Buddha
Lumbini, India

Lama Zopa Rinpoche said: 'When you go to these holy places it reminds you of impermanence. Once these places were great cities but now there are just stones...But even though there are just stones now these stones are so precious. Amazing. Can you imagine how blessed these places are? They are places where the Buddha was.“

Photo: Sacred Earth Journeys

For a detailed itinerary, forms and resources to download, visit the website.