Buddhism motivates Vail yoga class

The originator of the Summit Dharma Center and Tibetan monk Michael Gregory guides a workshop at the Yoga Studio at Vail Athletic Club from 9:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., Saturday.

The “Mindfulness in Motion” workshop, trained with the studio instructor Karen Anderson, is destined to give participants into a deeper consideration of Tibetan Buddhism throughout own yoga.

Rachel Nelson, who recently took over as studio manager, supposed this workshop is the first of many new offerings.

“We are an asana-based building, which means we do focus on the physical side of yoga, however through these astonishing workshops our students can take what they've previously educated and start to view it through different lenses in this case, Tibetan Buddhism,” says Nelson.

Nelson speaks the idea for a Buddhism-based workshop came subsequent to the success of several group meditation classes and workshops at the studio.

“In this financial climate, I believe that our students, and all our Vail yogis are looking for ways to transfer their viewpoint from one of struggle to one of ease,” she said. “Yoga and meditation proffer new ways to achieve that, since our group meditation classes have been so well-received, people are actually looking for an opportunity like this.”

Sikkim's affluent Buddhist culture attracts tourists


Sikkim which is situated in Himalayan Hills is a paradise for tourists. Currently the state Government has paced up its efforts to endorse many Budhist sites and festivals as tourist's destinations.

Kagyad chaam is the one of the four forms of veiled dances in the state.

Achieved by Lamas of Buddhist monastery on the every 28th and 29th day of Tibetan calendar, the dances represent exorcizing of malevolence spirits of previous year and welcoming the good spirits at the crack of dawn of New Year. Throughout the dance costumed Lamas with gaily-painted facades holding the ritual swords jump and swing to the rhythm of booming drums.

The lively dance not just captivates locals, but foreign tourists as well.

Kagyad dance passes various themes from the Buddhist mythology and concludes with the burning of statues made of flour, wood and paper. A worshippers of local Buddhist followers and tourists get together once a year to witness this extraordinary dance.

The Buddhist festivals, which imitate centuries-old tradition of Buddhism in State also contribute to the growth of tourism industry.

According to Sikkim Travel Agent Association general secretary Lukendra Rasily, "Tourists discovers it very very interesting, so different and when they come to Sikkim they go back with lot of memories which are not obtainable easily anywhere in the world."

"The tour operator is advertising; the Government of India is also marketing through their unbelievable India slogan," he added.

Sikkim has a lot additional to offer to the visitors, snow fully clad mountains, thick green forests and monasteries. Peace and general economic have brought in many visitors to the state. More than 300,000 tourists visited Sikkim this year alone.


Special budget train for Buddhist spots

The Indian Railways will launch its special train covering the Buddhist route across the country, with a visit to Nepal also thrown in.

Aspiring to provide to budget tourist from Sri Lanka and to other Asian countries, the 14 days and 13 nights, all-paid package tour will moreover provide off-board services such as hotel lodging, vegetarian meals, road transports for sight-seeing, and support for visa formalities for foreign nationals.

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), which will be running the operation, have offered three rates for the budget tourist.

Twin-sharing accommodation comes around Rs.23,650 per person, while triple-sharing accommodation costs for Rs.20,600 and for hall or dormitory accommodation, the fare has been hooked at Rs.16,650. Accommodation will be offered in budget hotels.

The train offers sleeper class accommodation for 500 passengers on each and every trip along with a store cupboard car serving vegetarian food. The IRCTC guarantees guide and security on the train for the passengers.

The pilgrims get to see 11 famous Buddhist sites starting by the paintings and sculptures in Ajanta and Ellora Caves. The other sites included in this tour are: the massive stupa at Sanchi; Sravasti, the birth place of Gautam Buddha in Lumbini, Nepal; capital of the ancient kingdom of the same name; the Mahaparinirvana Temple in Kushinagar; Vaishali, where the Buddha moralized his last talk; the reminiscent ruins of Buddhist monasteries and temples of Nalanda; Rajgir, where Buddha moralized two of his most famous sermons; Bodh Gaya where the Buddha reached enlightenment; Sarnath where he preached his last oration; and the excavations of Nagarjunakonda.

Though the package, does not include entrance fee for monuments, medical care and Nepal visa fee for foreigners. It has its own termination rules, according to which the last date for cancellation is one week before the start date. The passenger will surrender the entire money if it is cancelled during the week before the trip.