Sarnath International Nyingma Institute

SINI is happy to offer the Honorouring Longchenpa Pilgrimage.

SINI is organizing a ten-day pilgrimage to Bhutan, built around the life and legacy of Longchenpa (1308–1364), one of the most influential scholar-yogis of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. During his years of exile in Bhutan, Longchenpa founded several of the country's most important meditation monasteries, and Bhutan remains one of the few places in the world where Buddhist tradition still shapes daily life and national identity.

The program at a glance

• What: A 10-day pilgrimage to Bhutan
• Visits: Holy sites of Longchenpa and other spiritual sites
• Teachings: "Thirty Pieces of Heart Advice" (to be confirmed)
• Guidance: SINI monastic Fellows and program coordinator
• Group size: 12 to 15 participants

Following Longchenpa's path

Longchenpa was exiled from Tibet and spent several years in Bhutan, where he established sacred sites that are still visited today. Padmasambhava first brought Vajrayana Buddhism, and the Nyingma teachings in particular, to Tibet and Bhutan; Longchenpa later organized and clarified these teachings, especially the Dzogchen tradition. His writings, gathered into the Seven Treasures, unified generations of Dzogchen doctrine into a body of work that is still studied today.

Teachings

In the Nyingma lineage, Longchenpa is regarded as an emanation of Lhacham Pemasel, daughter of King Trisong Detsen, who invited Padmasambhava to Tibet. She died young, and Padmasambhava is said to have briefly revived her to transmit the Khandro Nyingtik, the "Heart Essence of the Dakinis." (Source: SINI Khenpo Dawa Tsering)

Guided by SINI's monastic Fellows, the group will study the "Thirty Pieces of Heart Advice" (to be confirmed), a text written to help practitioners subdue the mind and let go of meaningless worldly pursuits.

Traveling together

12 to 15 participants will travel with a SINI monastic Fellow from India or Bhutan. Each person comes with their own reasons for making the journey, but the pilgrimage is meant to be traveled as a community: receiving Longchenpa's teachings together, exploring, and reflecting along the way.

The journey

Over ten days, the group travels from Paro to Thimphu, Punakha, Phobjikha Valley, and Bumthang, visiting sites tied to Longchenpa's life: Nelung Dechaling Lhakhang, which holds important relics of Longchenpa and Pema Lingpa; Tharpaling, where he composed the Seven Treasures; and Tang Ogyen Chhoeling, where his original cave retreat still stands untouched. The trip closes with a hike to Taktsang Monastery, the Tiger's Nest, before departure from Paro.

Dates and costs

The pilgrimage is tentatively planned for late March or early April 2027; exact dates depend on the Bumthang-Paro domestic flight schedule. The estimated cost covers nine nights of accommodation, the Sustainable Development Fee, visa, transportation, guides, and the domestic flight from Bumthang to Paro. International flights, vaccinations, and travel insurance are not included.

You can find all the details here: https://pilgrimagetobhutan.sinibridge.org