Takten Phuntsok Ling Monastery

Discovering the Jonang: A Pilgrimage Through Central Tibet

July 10-26

A Cultural & Educational Expedition Hosted by Jonang Foundation

In Collaboration with Amitabha Travel Agency

The Pilgrimage

Join us this summer on a pilgrimage to the power places of the Jonangpa in Central Tibet.

Traversing through the vast terrain of the early home of the Jonangpa in the mountainous landscapes of south and central U-Tsang (Tibetan Autonomous Region) ― this journey will take you through the ages and across the boundaries of religious and cultural imagination to encounter the sacred sites of one of Tibet's most unknown living spiritual traditions.

Pilgrims will have the unusual opportunity to visit the most significant historical sites of the Jonangpa heritage in the extraordinary Land of Snow. Among other sites, we will visit the mountain retreat of Dolpopa at the Great Stupa of Jonang and Taranatha's fortress monastery Takten Phuntsok Ling as well as Sakya, the Gyantse Stupa, and numerous sites in Lhasa.

Of particular interest, we will be visiting meditation caves of many of the early Kalachakra masters in Tibet including the Kalachakra retreat sites of Kunpang Thukje Tsondru, Dolpopa Sherab Gyaltsen, Chogle Namgyal, Taranatha, Buton, and Tsongkhapa. We will visit sacred temples, retreat sites, and monasteries of the Jonang, Nyingma, Zhalu, Kagyu, Geluk, and Sakya Buddhist traditions.

Meditation sessions, pilgrimage rituals, and discussions on Jonang zhentong philosophy and Kalachakra practice with the Jonang lama Tulku Kunga Zangpo Rinpoche will be integral to the journey. Dr. Michael Sheehy will serve as interpreter and cultural liaison. Alessandro Zuzic will serve as the group facilitator.

Guides & Interpreters

Prayerflags over Tibet

Tulku Kunga Zangpo Rinpoche is a recognized reincarnate lama of the Jonang tradition. Born and educated in the Golok region of far eastern Tibet, Tulku Zangpo Rinpoche later spent six years studying and visiting the sacred places of the Buddha's life in India and Nepal. For the past several years, he has lived throughout China, teaching and working to facilitate programs hosted by Jonang Foundation as the director of field operations. Tulku Zangpo is a Tibetan monk who speaks English and Chinese.

Michael R. Sheehy, Ph.D. is the executive director of Jonang Foundation. He holds a doctorate in Tibetan and Buddhist studies. Michael lived in a Jonang monastery in the Golok cultural domain of far eastern Tibet for three years while studying history and philosophy closely with Jonang masters. He is currently the Scholar in Residence research fellow at the Tibetan Buddhist Resource Center in the city of New York. Michael is an American who speaks Tibetan.

Alessandro Zuzic is the director of Amitaba travel agency. He has worked extensively as a tour guide and group leader throughout the Himalayan and Tibetan regions for more than a decade, specializing in cultural tours of Tibet. Alessandro is an Italian who speaks English.

Itinerary

July 10, Friday: Fly to Chengdu from Home
July 11, Saturday: Arrive in Chengdu and rest
July 12, Sunday: Fly from Chengdu ― Lhasa and rest
July 13, Monday: Explore Jokhang Cathedral, Potala Palace, Norbulingka Palace, and Old Town Lhasa
July 14, Tuesday: Explore sites in Lhasa vicinity
July 15, Wednesday: Travel from Lhasa ― Shigatse, explore Yungdrungling and Tashi Lhumpo Monastery
July 16, Thursday: Travel from Shigatse ― Takten Phuntsok Ling Monastery
July 17, Friday: Explore Takten Phuntsok Ling Monastery, the Mountain Retreat at Jomonang and the Great Jonang Stupa
July 18, Saturday: Explore Phuntsok Ling Monastery, Great Jonang Stupa, and Mountain Retreat at Jomonang
Jul 19, Sunday: Travel from Puntsok Ling Monastery ― Sakya, Old Lhatse
July 20, Monday: Explore the sites in Sakya Monastery vicinity
July 21, Tuesday: Travel from Sakya ― Zhalu Monastery ― Gyantse Stupa
July 22, Wednesday: Explore Gyantse Stupa and Jonang Tsechen Monastery
July 23, Thursday: Travel from Gyantse ― Tsetang ― Yamdrok Tso Lake ― Mindroling Monastery
July 24, Friday: Explore Tsetang Yumbu Temple, meditation caves, and tombs of the ancient Tibetan Kings
July 25, Saturday: Visit Samye Monastery and Chimpu Caves (*optional extension)
July 26, Sunday: Fly from Gongsar Airport ― Chengdu and Chengdu ― Home

The Tibet Reader for the journey is available for download.

Registration

Great Stupa at Jonang

In order to participate in this pilgrimage, we ask that you submit a registration form with your personal information. Forms are to be returned to Jonang Foundation via email. One form per person is required. Spaces are limited to insure a small group with maximum flexibility for exploration in our travel. Participants will be confirmed in the order registered.

We continue to accept registration forms. All registrants who submit a form after March 31st will be put on a waiting list. We will notify you if a space becomes available.

Download the Pilgrim Registration (Word doc.).

Cost of the Pilgrimage

The cost of the trip is US $2,750 (Euro € 2012) per person for those who register before May 31st and US $3,000 (Euro € 2195) per person after May 31st.

Cost includes: Full board including meals and accommodation in hotels and guesthouses, round-trip flight tickets from Chengdu to Lhasa to Chengdu, inland transportation by Toyota Land Cruisers (4x/jeep), inland airport transfers, English speaking guides and a cook with assistants, all necessary permits, visitation and entrance fees.

Cost does not include: Roundtrip international flight tickets from/to port of origin, visas, airport taxes, travel insurance, tips, personal expenses, drinks.

International flight costs will depend upon individuals and will be arranged by Amitabha Travel.

Contact Information

For all general inquiries about the pilgrimage, contact us at: info@jonangfoundation.org.

For specific logistical information regarding travel arrangements, contact Amitabha Travel Agency directly at: amitaba@amitaba.net.