Sarnath International Nyingma Institute presents
Seminar & Pilgrimage
Sarnath, Rajgir, Nalanda & Bodhgaya
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"Right now you are that ripe potential goodness. You need not hold back. Open it up fully and celebrate: develop confidence and self-sufficiency. This is your freedom of choice. You may ask: how do I do it? When does it happen? And I say: anytime, anyhow."
Tarthang Rinpoche
Founder, Sarnath International Nyingma Institute
The Elephant's Footprint
The enlightened insights known as the Four Noble Truths were taught by the Buddha in Sarnath over 2,500 years ago. These truths, sometimes referred to as the elephant's footprint, are considered so great, vast, and profound, that all other footprints, or the Buddha's teachings, may fit inside.
The recognition that suffering is an inherent part of existence: in birth, aging, illness, and death, in separation from what we love and union with what we do not.
The understanding that suffering arises from craving, attachment, and ignorance, the deep-rooted patterns that bind us to cycles of dissatisfaction.
The realization that freedom from suffering is possible. By releasing attachment and ignorance, a profound peace and liberation can be attained.
The Noble Eightfold Path, a practical guide encompassing right understanding, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and concentration.
Through reflective inquiry, these ancient teachings are brought into a contemporary context. They require neither dogmatic belief nor blind faith. They speak directly to the experience of all sentient beings.
The most important preparation for this program is to allow yourself to pay attention to your own life. Each of us has experienced suffering; none is exempt. When we connect our experience with that of others, natural wisdom and compassion arise.
The Pilgrimage
Fifteen days across three of Buddhism's most sacred sites in Northern India
6 nights at SINI
Where the Buddha gave his first teaching. Dharma talks on the Four Noble Truths by resident Khenpos, Sanskrit and Tibetan chanting, yoga, meditation, and a visit to the Dhamek Stupa and Deer Park. Boat tour on the Ganges and guided city walk in Varanasi.
2 nights in Rajgir
Walk to Vulture Peak where the Buddha delivered the Prajnaparamita teachings. Read the Heart Sutra at the summit. Guided tour of the archaeological site of Nalanda University.
6 nights in Bodhgaya
Visit the Mahakala Caves en route. Where the Buddha attained enlightenment. Personal practice at the Mahabodhi Temple. Join the Nyingma Monlam Chenmo, the World Peace Prayers, alongside thousands of monastics. Assistance with offerings to the assembly. Manjushri Namasangiti Sanskrit Chanting Ceremony. Integration and closing ceremony.
The Seminar
Each day at the Institute is a balance of study, practice, and contemplation
Optional morning session to prepare body and mind
Shared vegetarian meal with monastics and participants
Morning prayers in the temple with the monastic community
One Noble Truth per day, taught by SINI's senior Khenpos in English
Review session or Sanskrit and Tibetan chanting instruction
Meals become moments of personal connection with monks
Guided visits to Deer Park, the Dhamek Stupa, museums, or local monasteries
Optional evening meditation session
Communal dinner and time for reflection
Schedule is tentative. Some days include special ceremonies, a boat tour on the Ganges, or a guided walk through Varanasi.
The Program
A rich program of study, practice, and discovery at the very sites where the Buddha lived and taught
Four Noble Truths teachings by SINI's senior Khenpos, one truth per day, with review sessions
Learn sacred chanting with Dr. Rajesh Kumar Pandey and Tibetan monastics
Optional daily yoga and evening meditation sessions to deepen your practice
Guided visits to Deer Park, Vulture Peak, Nalanda, Mahakala Caves, and Mahabodhi Temple
Join thousands of monastics for the World Peace Prayers at Bodhgaya
Sunrise boat tour on the Ganges and a guided walk through the ancient city of Kashi
Walk in the Footsteps of the Buddha
Where Your Journey Begins
A unique educational institute at the site where the Buddha first turned the Wheel of Dharma
The campus occupies approximately three acres in Sarnath, just 900 meters from the Dhamek Stupa. Designed by Kriti Architects and drawing inspiration from Kerala temple courtyards, it features open spaces, connecting passageways lined with bougainvillea, and multiple gardens that create an oasis of peace and beauty.
The main temple features extraordinary sacred murals created by artist Kaveri Singh and a team of over 35 artists from around the world. Its exterior is adorned with over 7,000 individual golden Lhantsa letters of the Manjushrinamasanghiti prayer. At the heart of the campus stands a sapling from the Buddha's original Bodhi Tree, ceremoniously planted during SINI's inauguration on December 13, 2013.
"As the roots of the Bodhi Tree take root here, may the teachings once more offer blessings and benefits for all the world to share, and may our actions on behalf of the Dharma, sustained by faith and compassion, prosper and flourish!"
Tarthang Rinpoche, SINI Dedication Ceremony, December 13, 2013
Founded by Tarthang Rinpoche, SINI represents the culmination of decades of cultural and religious preservation work. Through the Yeshe De Project, Rinpoche has printed and distributed over 6 million copies of sacred Buddhist texts and created approximately 3,300 Buddhist libraries throughout the Himalayas, the largest Tibetan Buddhist text distribution in history.
Glimpses
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Tsering Gellek is SINI's first director and the daughter of founder Tarthang Rinpoche. She built the Institute from the ground up and has shaped it into what she describes as "a deep reservoir of connection and fertile ground to continue with bridge-building."
"It is with great pleasure that we welcome you to the Institute's Annual Four Noble Truths Pilgrimage and Retreat Program. For over a decade, we have offered this program to international students seeking direct engagement with the Buddha's teachings at the very sites where they were first proclaimed."
"SINI's Four Noble Truths Program offers a unique opportunity to engage with the Tibetan monastic tradition through study and practice rooted in the Buddha's own words. Through reflective inquiry, we examine these ancient teachings in a contemporary context, seeking to understand the roots of suffering."
Your Guides
Dharma Teachers
Highly educated senior monastics who have completed SINI's intensive 3-year English for Dharma Purposes program. They deliver the Four Noble Truths teachings, one truth per day, with review sessions, Q&As, and individual reflections. Their ability to teach in English allows for a direct, intimate exchange that bridges monastic wisdom and contemporary life.
Sanskrit Scholar
A distinguished Sanskrit scholar from Varanasi who leads both the Sanskrit chanting instruction during the seminar at SINI and the Manjushri Namasangiti Sanskrit Chanting Ceremony at the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya, a sacred gathering of approximately 60 pandits reciting this most revered Buddhist text.
Program Coordinator
Coordinates the entire FNT program and accompanies participants throughout the journey, from your arrival at Varanasi airport through every teaching, visit, and ceremony, all the way to departure from Gaya. Your constant point of contact and guide for anything you need.
Voices
Practical Information
Six nights on campus at SINI in Sarnath, two nights in a hotel in Rajgir, and six nights in a hotel in Bodhgaya.
All vegetarian meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Fresh filtered water, tea, and coffee always available.
All dharma teachings, chanting sessions, yoga, meditation, and guided site visits led by SINI's Khenpos and faculty.
All local transportation between the three cities, excursions, pick-up at Varanasi airport, and drop-off at Gaya airport.
Teaching materials, chanting texts, and a participant manual with detailed information.
Fifteen days of teachings, pilgrimage, and practice across Northern India. All-inclusive: accommodation, meals, transportation, teachings, and guided site visits.
A $500 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your place.
Limited number of scholarships available for those with financial constraints.
SINI is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in the US. All proceeds support SINI's work in monastic education and Dharma preservation.
At the heart of SINI's mission is a unique three-year intensive English immersion program for senior Tibetan Buddhist monastics.
Khenpos, Geshes, and Lopons from traditional monastic backgrounds live, study, and interact with native English teachers, preparing them to deliver the Buddha's teachings to students from every culture and tradition around the world. The Four Noble Truths teachings are part of their curriculum, making the FNT program a direct expression of SINI's educational mission.
By choosing the Sponsor Rate when you register, you support a monk for one year in this transformative program. $3,000 of which is tax-deductible.
Questions
The FNT program is open to all — no prior Buddhist study or meditation experience is required. Former participants have commented on the program's accessible format and life-changing experience. Whether you're drawn to the teachings, the sacred sites, or the contemplative practice, this journey offers something profound for everyone.
The Four Noble Truths are the foundational teaching of the Buddha, sometimes called "the elephant's footprint" — so vast that all other footprints, or the Buddha's teachings, fit within them. They address: What is suffering? What is its cause? What is the cessation of suffering? And what path can lead us to that cessation? These truths speak directly to the experience of all sentient beings and require neither dogmatic belief nor blind faith.
The pilgrimage involves moderate walking at sacred sites, including a walk up to Vulture Peak (a gentle hill climb with steps). The program is accessible to most fitness levels. Travel between cities is by train and bus. If you have mobility concerns, please contact us to discuss accommodations.
Yes, most nationalities require a visa. You can apply for an e-Visa online through the Government of India's immigration website. Your passport must have at least 6 months of validity remaining. We recommend applying well in advance.
Warm layers for cold January nights (temperatures can drop near 0°C), a warm jacket, good walking shoes, and warm socks. Dress modestly — loose-fitting, long-sleeved clothing out of respect for the monastic environment. Face masks for dusty conditions and any personal medications. A detailed packing list will be provided upon registration.
Fly into Varanasi (Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport). SINI will arrange your pick-up. On departure, the program concludes in Bodhgaya — you'll depart from Gaya Airport. We recommend booking a flight into Varanasi and a return from Gaya.
All meals are vegetarian. Fresh filtered water, tea, and coffee are always available. If you have specific dietary requirements or allergies, please let us know during registration.
WiFi is available at SINI and in the hotels. However, we encourage participants to minimize technology use to fully engage with the experience.
International flights, visa costs and vaccinations, and travel and health insurance are not included. Everything else — accommodation, meals, teachings, transportation between cities, guided visits — is covered.
Weather: January in Northern India is cold — bring layers, a warm jacket, and good walking shoes. Health: Travel insurance is required. Recommended vaccinations: DTP, Hepatitis A, Typhoid. Documents: Passport with at least 6 months validity plus an Indian e-Visa. Money: Bring USD or Euros to exchange, or use HDFC ATMs. Dress code: Modest clothing out of respect for the monastic environment.
Join us in walking the path the Buddha walked, learning the teachings he first gave, and participating in one of the world's most profound spiritual gatherings.
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