Practical Advices for Attending the Dalai Lama Teachings in Bodhgaya 2022-2023, India

Teaching in Bodhgaya, Bihar, India

His Holiness the Dalai Lama will give 3 days of teaching on the mornings of December 29, 30 & 31 at the Kalachakra Teaching Ground. On December 29 & 30 mornings, His Holiness will give teachings on Nagarjuna’s Commentary on Bodhicitta (jangchup semdrel). On December 31 morning His Holiness will confer the Blessing of 21 Tara (dolma 21 jenang).

• Teaching venue: Kalachakra ground near Mahabodhi temple

• Teaching Registration: All monks, nuns, foreigners and Indian devoteesneed to register to attend the teachings.

1. You can visit www.dalailamateaching.com to register your details.
2. The link to this website is also available at dalailama.comand www.tibet.net. After registration, kindly print
   the registration form to collect the Teaching Pass at Bodh Gaya. Along with the registration form you need to
   produce one of the following documents Passport / Aadhaar card/Voter ID/RC/Green Book.
3. Those who have already registered during His Holiness teachings in Dharamsala and 2017 Kalachakra at Bodh Gaya
   need not register online. You can submit your old Teaching Pass at the registration counter to collect the new Teaching Pass.
   Otherwise, you will need to register again.
4. Online registration will be available  soon on : www.dalailamateaching.com

Note: No registration is required for general Tibetan and himalaya public.

• Seating arrangement: Seating is usually reserved on a first-come first-serve basis. In the West, seating for public events is in most cases designated by your ticket and seat number. In India, seating for teachings is usually on the ground. The conventional practice amongst Tibetans is that you take your seat on the first day of a series of teachings, mark it with your cushion or piece of cloth, and thereafter, keep to that same seat for the duration of the teachings. This is how Tibetans have traditionally avoided hassling with each other over who sits where every day. So, following the old adage, when in Rome, do as the Romans do, it seems reasonable to suggest that when among Tibetans, do as the Tibetans do. Usually, people come to the teaching venue 1 or 2 days before the teaching begins to reserve their seating space. For people requiring translation services, there are designated areas arranged at the teaching venue.
• Translation: His Holiness primarily teaches in Tibetan. Therefore, on most occasions when His Holiness is teaching in India efforts are made to provide official translation into Chinese, English, Hindi, Japanese, Korean & Vietnamese depending on the availability of officially-approved translators. Those interested in listening to the translation need to bring with them FM channel radios. Please note other electronic gadgets will not be allowed.
• Tea and Offerings to the Monastic Community: It is customary for tea to be served to the gathering attending the teachings, so it is worthwhile for you to carry your own cup. You will often notice that money is offered to monks and nuns. This is an offering to the members of the sangha. Both the tea and offerings are paid for by contributions from patrons and the general public. If you would like to make a contribution, an office near the teaching area is usually set up where such donations can be made. How much you give is entirely at your discretion.
• Protection from the Sun and the Weather: His Holiness makes a point of encouraging those who are sitting in the hot sun to cover their heads in order to protect themselves. Similarly he advises people to use umbrellas or take shelter should it rain. It is therefore useful to carry a hat or visor and/or a small umbrella depending on the local weather conditions at the time of the teaching. Normally January weather in Bodhgaya is pleasantly dry, warm and sunny. During the day, the temperature is usually somewhere between 20-30ºC (68 to 86ºF), but early mornings and evenings it can drop as low as 4 or 5 ºC (40ºF). Bring layers of clothing to wear and a pair of new slippers or thick socks to wear at the Temple. Sleeping bags are recommended for those choosing a budget or middle price hotel, or a guest house.
• Transportation Getting Around in Bodhgaya: Auto-rickshaws, cycle-rickshaws, E-rickshaws and tourist taxis are the best way to get around Bodhgaya. It is necessary to negotiate and agree on a price and all trip details before setting out. Try to keep small change in rupees for the payments.
• Shoes: Tibetans tend to keep their shoes on when they are sitting on the ground, or at least keep them on until they sit down. Taking your shoes off and carrying them in your hand through a crowd sitting on the ground means that you are carrying your shoes right in front of people’s faces, which most people prefer to avoid.

• Accommodation: In Bodhgaya their are available of Hotel and guest house with different category, You should try to book your accommodation near to the teaching ground.
• Pilgrimage tour during the teaching: Soulful Tours is organising a
•  JOURNEY TO DALAI LAMA TEACHING AND PILGRIMAGE TO BODHGAYA
• DATE: 25th DECEMBER 2022 – 5th JAN 2023
• If you wish to join our journey please write email to tenzin.soulful@gmail.com or contact@soufultours.com 
• Whatsapps call or message on: +33 7 82 21 03 98

More detail : https://soulfultours.com/tour/mindfulness-retreat-tour-at-bodhgaya/