Birth of the Awakening Mind: Sacred Journey to Nepal
Birth of the Awakening Mind: Sacred Journey to Nepal
Lumbini Nepal, Nepal
Up to 20 in group
Oct 2 - 13, 2026
Retreat Highlights
- Meditate at the birthplace of the Buddha
- Cultivate the intention to benefit all beings
- Be breathtaken by beauty of the Lotus Temple, Lumbini
- Circumambulate Boudha Stupa in Kathmandu
- Experience deep meditation through mantra retreat at Rinchen Ling Monastery
- Walk the sacred path around Swayambu Temple
- Increase your dedication and devotion to benefit beings
- Experience nature of Nepal
- Recharge with Long Life puja in Maratika Cave of Padmasambava
- Commit to the path of service
- Enjoy delightful Nepali food and Chai
- Experience inner growth through the teachings of Drupon Lama Dorje and guest Rinpoches
About this Retreat
Drupon Lama Dorje was born in a small village called Limi in the Himalayas and became a traditional Buddhist monk at the age of 5 under the Drikung Kagyu lineage. At the age of 24 he entered a 4-year solo retreat in the mountains of India where he trained deeply in the five-fold path of Mahamudra and the Six Yogas of Naropa.
Directly after this retreat, he was assigned to travel to Chile to expand the Buddha Dharma. For more than 14 years, Drupon Lama Dorje has spread Buddhist philosophy of life across South and Central America through diverse events, ceremonies, courses and retreats; produced music & CDs, written books to apply Buddhist principles to modern life, formed many sanghas throughout the region, and led sacred journeys to India and Nepal.
Nowadays he travels the world skillfully teaching Tibetan Philosophy of Life & meditation while also advocating for topics such as environmental regeneration, intercultural unity, and resilient education.
His vision is to awaken the consciousness of all beings, unite all cultures in global peace, and regenerate our home, the Earth, by expanding the altruistic actions of unconditional love, compassion, joy, and equanimity for the sake of all that live.
His root Lamas are H.E. Garchen Rinpoche, Drupön Jampa Rigzin Rinpoche, H.H. Drikung Kyabgön Chetsang. And has received additional teachings from H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama, 17th Karmapa, H.E. Khenchen Konchok Gyaltsen Rinpoche, Dzongzar Khyentse Rinpoche, amongst other precious teachers.
Lama Dorje was certified as a retreat master (Drupon) of the Drikung Kagyu lineage on February 26, 2018 by His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche.
Carolina was born and raised in Louisiana. She has a degree in Cultural Anthropology and went on to found Reviveolution Non-Profit and Hampi Mama Medicine Sanctuary in Peru. For 12 years she worked with indigenous cultures around the globe to expand ancestral knowledge, establish land-based sanctuaries, and promote cultural and ecological regeneration. After meeting him at an intercultural gathering in Peru in 2018, Drupon Lama Dorje deeply impacted Carolina’s life trajectory, showing her that human consciousness is the key to intercultural unity and ecological regeneration. With full conviction in this truth, she now devotes her passion and skills full-time to practicing and expanding the precious Dharma. She travels the world with Lama as his translator and assistant, serves as the director of Lama Dorje Foundation and Dewachen Sanctuary in Costa Rica, and is honored to be in service to bring all of Lama’s aspirations into fruition.
Details of this retreat
The Journey of a Lifetime
Giving Birth to the mind of awakening, the precious Bodhicitta, is true source of happiness and well-being. When we center ourselves in peace, mindfulness, and service we can draw from a deep and unimaginable potential that brings immense benefit to a world that so desperately needs it.
Join Drupon Lama Dorje on a Sacred pilgrimage throughout Nepal for 12 meaningful days to tap into this inner well of wisdom and life force within you, and discover your own unique way to contribute to society through wisdom and compassion.
Days 1-4: Awaken Bodhicitta
Starting in Lumbini, Nepal, we will touch the very ground where Buddha Shakyamuni took birth over 2,500 years ago- a loving force so strong that we still feel the ripples
even today. The blessings of visiting such a sacred site are said to be so strong that one will never take birth in the lower realms again. We will reflect on what it is like to awaken this devotion to benefit beings, and contemplate how each one of us can make a significant impact in this world when we put our mind to it.
Days 5-8: Cultivate Devotion
We will then journey on to Kathmandu where we will circumambulate one of the largest stupas in the world: Boudha. This sacred monument that represents the Enlightened mind is flourishing with sacred activity, Bodhisattvas, and blessings that permeate your being as you walk its grounds. Meditating at Swayambhu temple we will allow these great aspirations to sink in. Sealed with a special retreat in the Drikung Kagyu monastery, we will allow this deep devotion and commitment for the benefit of others to blossom into clear action.
Days 9-13: Benefit the World
Culminating in a deeply nourishing and grounding visit to Maratika Cave where Guru Rinpoche and Mandareva attained the state of immortality. We will connect to this sacred energy with pujas and chanting, allowing the resonance of this divine place to sink deep within our mindstream. As we walk in nature, we will contemplate recognizing the nature of mind, the state of ultimate longevity, in which we recognize the instrinsic awareness of Dharmakaya that is our true nature. May this mind of awakening last for all lifetimes and may we never part from the path until we complete our mission of awakening for all beings.
HOW THE PILGRIMAGE WILL UNFOLD
Lama Dorje has been guiding trips to India and Nepal for over 14 years. This pilgrimage has been carefully arranged so participants can devote their attention to practice, reflection, and the shared experience of traveling through sacred places connected with the Dharma. The journey unfolds as a moving retreat, supported by a sim
ple and well-organized container that allows the sangha to travel together with ease. Throughout the journey we will stay in simple yet cozy guesthouses or locally owned hotels, share delicious daily meals, make generous offerings to the monasteries we visit, and hold a profound space of prayer and inner growth. As we meditate at each sacred site, we will receive teachings that help us integrate the meaning of each place into our own inner growth and service to the world.
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE RETREAT?
- all food
- internal transportation
- domestic flights during the pilgrimage
- accommodations
- sacred site visits
- generous donations to monasteries
- support in planning your journey
- daily teachings in Spanish and English with Drupon Lama Dorje and other guest Lamas
Our committment is to create a supportive environment where practical logistics are taken care of, allowing participants to fully engage with the blessings of the places, the lineage, and the practice.
HIGHLIGHT ABOUT FLIGHTS AND TRAVEL
* The retreat begins in Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha. Participants are responsible for arriving there on their own.
* Participants are responsible for purchasing their international flight to and from Kathmandu, as well as their one-way flight from Kathmandu to Lumbini in order to arrive in time for the start of the pilgrimage.
* From there, the pilgrimage includes all transportation within the container of October 2nd - 9th across the full route Lumbini → Kathmandu → Maratika → Kathmandu (this includes a flight from Lumbini to Kathmandu on October 5th)
* On the final day of the retreat, October 13th, the bus travel will be provided from Maratika Cave back to Kathmandu, where participants can either fly home or continue with personal travel.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Please read this informative document about travel, arrival, packlists, visas, and much more!
We look forward to sharing a meaningful experience with you in the sacred lands of Nepal.
Giving Birth to the mind of awakening, the precious Bodhicitta, is true source of happiness and well-being. When we center ourselves in peace, mindfulness, and service we can draw from a deep and unimaginable potential that brings immense benefit to a world that so desperately needs it.
Join Drupon Lama Dorje on a Sacred pilgrimage throughout Nepal for 12 meaningful days to tap into this inner well of wisdom and life force within you, and discover your own unique way to contribute to society through wisdom and compassion.
Days 1-4: Awaken Bodhicitta
Starting in Lumbini, Nepal, we will touch the very ground where Buddha Shakyamuni took birth over 2,500 years ago- a loving force so strong that we still feel the ripples
even today. The blessings of visiting such a sacred site are said to be so strong that one will never take birth in the lower realms again. We will reflect on what it is like to awaken this devotion to benefit beings, and contemplate how each one of us can make a significant impact in this world when we put our mind to it.
Days 5-8: Cultivate Devotion
We will then journey on to Kathmandu where we will circumambulate one of the largest stupas in the world: Boudha. This sacred monument that represents the Enlightened mind is flourishing with sacred activity, Bodhisattvas, and blessings that permeate your being as you walk its grounds. Meditating at Swayambhu temple we will allow these great aspirations to sink in. Sealed with a special retreat in the Drikung Kagyu monastery, we will allow this deep devotion and commitment for the benefit of others to blossom into clear action.
Days 9-13: Benefit the World
Culminating in a deeply nourishing and grounding visit to Maratika Cave where Guru Rinpoche and Mandareva attained the state of immortality. We will connect to this sacred energy with pujas and chanting, allowing the resonance of this divine place to sink deep within our mindstream. As we walk in nature, we will contemplate recognizing the nature of mind, the state of ultimate longevity, in which we recognize the instrinsic awareness of Dharmakaya that is our true nature. May this mind of awakening last for all lifetimes and may we never part from the path until we complete our mission of awakening for all beings.
HOW THE PILGRIMAGE WILL UNFOLD
Lama Dorje has been guiding trips to India and Nepal for over 14 years. This pilgrimage has been carefully arranged so participants can devote their attention to practice, reflection, and the shared experience of traveling through sacred places connected with the Dharma. The journey unfolds as a moving retreat, supported by a sim
ple and well-organized container that allows the sangha to travel together with ease. Throughout the journey we will stay in simple yet cozy guesthouses or locally owned hotels, share delicious daily meals, make generous offerings to the monasteries we visit, and hold a profound space of prayer and inner growth. As we meditate at each sacred site, we will receive teachings that help us integrate the meaning of each place into our own inner growth and service to the world.
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE RETREAT?
- all food
- internal transportation
- domestic flights during the pilgrimage
- accommodations
- sacred site visits
- generous donations to monasteries
- support in planning your journey
- daily teachings in Spanish and English with Drupon Lama Dorje and other guest Lamas
Our committment is to create a supportive environment where practical logistics are taken care of, allowing participants to fully engage with the blessings of the places, the lineage, and the practice.
HIGHLIGHT ABOUT FLIGHTS AND TRAVEL
* The retreat begins in Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha. Participants are responsible for arriving there on their own.
* Participants are responsible for purchasing their international flight to and from Kathmandu, as well as their one-way flight from Kathmandu to Lumbini in order to arrive in time for the start of the pilgrimage.
* From there, the pilgrimage includes all transportation within the container of October 2nd - 9th across the full route Lumbini → Kathmandu → Maratika → Kathmandu (this includes a flight from Lumbini to Kathmandu on October 5th)
* On the final day of the retreat, October 13th, the bus travel will be provided from Maratika Cave back to Kathmandu, where participants can either fly home or continue with personal travel.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Please read this informative document about travel, arrival, packlists, visas, and much more!
We look forward to sharing a meaningful experience with you in the sacred lands of Nepal.
Schedule
Morning meditation and Tsa Lung yoga
Delicious breakfast
special trip to a sacred site
teachings from Lama Dorje and guest Rinpoches at the sacred site
yummy lunch
solo exploration time at the site or activity with Lama
afternoon chai
return to accomodations
dinner
Delicious breakfast
special trip to a sacred site
teachings from Lama Dorje and guest Rinpoches at the sacred site
yummy lunch
solo exploration time at the site or activity with Lama
afternoon chai
return to accomodations
dinner
Note: Schedule is approximate and may change
Getting Here
Lama Dorje Foundation, Lumbini Nepal, Nepal
Directions
More details will be provided soon from our guesthouse in Lumbini!
Accommodation
We consciously choose to stay in local guesthouses where possible, to support local families. You will have the option of shared room with one other person or a private room.
Private Accomodation
Enjoy a private room throughout the pilgrimage in a guesthouse or hotel on your own, or as a couple. The price displayed is for one individual who wishes to sleep privately throughout the journey. Or, if you want to book a private room as a couple, the price will be automatically reduced to reflect shared room pricing, while simply indicating that you want a private room together.In some cases in Asia, private rooms may have more than one bed in the room, yet it will be private to you.This ticket price includes all pilgrimage activities, domestic flight (Lumbini–Kathmandu), transportation throughout the journey, daily meals, monastery donations, and guidance from Lama Dorje and other Lamas._____(Espanol)Disfrute de una habitación privada durante toda la peregrinación en una casa de huéspedes o hotel, ya sea solo o en pareja. El precio mostrado es para una persona que desee dormir en una habitación privada durante todo el viaje. Si desea reservar una habitación privada en pareja, el precio se ajustará automáticamente al de una habitación compartida, simplemente indicando que desean una habitación privada juntos.En algunos casos, en Asia, las habitaciones privadas pueden tener más de una cama, pero serán exclusivamente para usted(es).Este precio incluye todas las actividades de la peregrinación, el vuelo nacional (Lumbini-Katmandú), el transporte durante todo el viaje, las comidas diarias, las donaciones al monasterio y la guía del Lama Dorje y otros lamas.
Shared Accommodation
Enjoy shared accommodation with another practitioner in guesthouses/hotels throughout the pilgrimage. Rooms are typically paired with another participant of the same gender unless specifically requested otherwise.(If you are trying to book a room as a couple, please choose the private room option, and the price will automatically adjust)This ticket includes all pilgrimage activities, domestic flight (Lumbini–Kathmandu), transportation throughout the journey, daily meals, monastery donations, and guidance from Lama Dorje and other Lamas.____(ESPANOL)Disfrute de alojamiento compartido con otro practicante en casas de huéspedes u hoteles durante toda la peregrinación. Las habitaciones suelen ser compartidas con otro participante del mismo sexo, a menos que se solicite lo contrario.(Si desea reservar una habitación con su pareja, seleccione la opción de habitación privada y el precio se ajustará automáticamente).Este boleto incluye todas las actividades de la peregrinación, el vuelo nacional (Lumbini-Katmandú), el transporte durante todo el viaje, las comidas diarias, las donaciones al monasterio y la guía del Lama Dorje y otros lamas.
Venue & Amenities
A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi
Spa
Sauna
Pool
Towels
Free Parking
Kitchen
Tour Assistance
Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea
Cafe
Restaurant
Fitness Center
Yoga Studio
Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent
Meals
Menu Types
Vegan
Vegetarian
Pescetarian
Ayurvedic
Includes Meat
Organic
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Nut Free
Soulful Nepali meals in guesthouses, monasteries, and restauarants, giving you a delightful cultural experience through your tastebuds
What's Included
- - all delicious Nepali food and chai
- - internal transportation (one domestic flight from Lumbini to Kathmandu, and all private bus transport throughout the journey)
- - all accommodations
- - sacred site visits
- - generous donations to monasteries
- - trip planning support and seamless cooridination
- - daily teachings and translation with Drupon Lama Dorje and other guest Rinpoches
What's Not Included
- International flight to and from Kathmandu
- domestic flight to arrive in Lumbini
- bottled water
- gift shopping
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