Celebrating in Bodhgaya

We are pleased to announce 84000’s 4th Resounding Under the Bodhi Tree, co-hosted by the Dzongsar Khyentse Chokyi Lodro Institute this November!

“The aim of all Buddhist practice is to catch a glimpse of the awakened state. Going on pilgrimage, soaking up the sacred atmosphere of holy places, and mingling with other pilgrims are simply different ways of trying to achieve that glimpse.” – Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, “Best Foot Forward: A Pilgrim’s Guide to the Sacred Sites of the Buddha”

The Mahabodhi Temple (Bodhgaya, India) commemorating the site where Prince Siddhartha of the Shakya Kingdom attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree, and became known as the Buddha Shakyamuni.
Photo: Pema Abrahams

Pilgrimage is a powerful method for remembering the Buddha’s teachings and putting them into practice, and for Buddhists, the most important holy places are the four sites associated with the Buddha’s life. With this in mind, the 84000 team will be heading to Bodhgaya (India) to spend some time under the Bodhi tree – or the vajrāsana – where the Buddha Śhākyamuni is believed to have attained enlightenment.

This edition of Resounding Under the Bodhi Tree will be led by Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, and participants will be reading from the newly translated text: The King of Samadhis Sūtra. Here is a short clip of Rinpoche explaining the significance of a resounding at our 1st Resounding Under the Bodhi Tree in 2012.

Whilst we are there, we will be participating in a rich programme that includes the 10-day Dzongsar Monlam, and the 2nd Siddhartha Festival – five days of teachings on the Vimalakīrti Sūtra, talks, chants, dance, and dedications from our Indian sangha as they work to revive the Buddha’s legacy in India.

Key dates

  • Nov. 6-15: Dzongsar Monlam
  • Nov. 14: 84000’s Resounding Under the Bodhi Tree
  • Nov. 16–17: Siddhartha Festival

Please note that electronic devices are not allowed in the Mahabodhi Temple complex, so sūtra texts for our resounding will be available on site for a donation of your choice (or feel free to download and print the texts on your own).

We invite those of you who are unable to join us in person to participate in your own homes or workplaces, in groups or individually. We are hoping that the event will be live-streamed (though quality cannot be guaranteed).

A ‘Resounding’ is the term that 84000 uses to express an activity that emulates the traditional monastic practice of reading aloud the entire Kangyur. In the monastic practice, each participant selects a sūtra or section of a sūtra and reads it aloud – until the entire Kangyur has been collectively read aloud. The 84000 version of this practice is the activity of collectively reading aloud translated sūtra(s) or sections of a sūtra that have been published in the 84000 Reading Room. The idea is to have as much of the sūtra(s) as possible read aloud by any number of people in the given amount of time. Reading the words of the Buddha aloud is said to benefit oneself and all those who can hear them.


Posted: 6 Aug 2018