Day 1: Kelaniya
Arrive in Kelaniya and check in to our accommodations where we’ll have an orientation session, group meditation, and dinner.
Day 2: Kelaniya
We’ll head out early in the morning for a guided tour and meditation at the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara, where famous paintings of Sanghamitta and Buddhaghosa are found. We'll listen to a talk by Oliver Tanner titled, "The close bond between the Buddhist traditions of Sri Lanka and Myanmar". After lunch, we’ll visit the Post Graduate Institute of Pali and Buddhist Studies in Kelaniya where we'll learn more about Sanghamitta and get a tour of the campus and library.
Day 3: Dhamma Sobha
To help orient the pilgrimage experience, we’ll do a 1-Day course at the Dhamma Sobha Vipassana Centre.
Day 4: Kelaniya to Situlpawwa
After a hearty breakfast, we’ll embark on a 3.5 hour bus-ride to Situlpawwa, with a pit-stop along the way for lunch. After checking into our accommodations, we’ll have a group meditation session.
Day 5: Situlpawwa
We’ll begin the day with a group meditation in the caves of Situlpawwa where many arahants were based in ancient days. We'll spend the day in the area exploring the caves and environs and meditating at various locations.
Day 6: Situlpawwa to Kandy
We'll travel for 5 hours to Kandy. After checking into our accommodations, we’ll have a group meditation session at the famous Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.
Day 7: Kandy
We will start with an early morning group meditation at the Temple of the Tooth, and then after breakfast visit the Buddhist Publication Society (BPS). In the afternoon we'll visit the Udawattakele Forest Reserve (Senanayake Aramaya) and listen to a talk by Pierluigi Confalonieri titled, "The Renaissance of Dhamma in Sri Lanka".
Day 8: Dhamma Kuta
To help frame the pilgrimage experience, we will join a one day course at the Dhamma Kuta Vipassana Centre.
Day 9: Kandy / Aluvihare
After breakfast we'll travel to Aluvihare for our morning group meditation. At Aluvihare we'll learn about the history of where the Pāli Tipiṭaka was first committed to writing. We'll spend the day exploring the area and meditating at various locations.
Day 10: Kandy to Dambulla
After a hearty breakfast, we'll travel 2 hours to Dambulla and check into our hotel. In the afternoon we'll visit the spectacular Dambulla Royal Cave Temple where we'll meditate and take in the beautiful and inspiring cave paintings.
Day 11: Dambulla
We will visit a local Forest Monastery and have a group meditation there. We will have the honor of participating in a Sangha Dana and then having lunch at the monastery. After a tour of the monastery we'll proceed to the Dhamma Dharani Vipassana Centre for our evening group sitting and a tour of the Centre. We'll wrap up our day with a walk around the lovely lake next to the Centre.
Day 12: Dambulla
We will visit an inspiring Forest Nunnery and have a group meditation there. We will have the honor of participating in a Sangha Dana and then having lunch at the nunnery. After a tour of the nunnery we'll spend the rest of the day exploring the site and sitting in various locations.
Day 13: Dambulla to Anuradhapura
After breakfast, we'll travel for 4 hours to Anuradhapura. En route we will stop by the historical Polonnaruwa site where we will see ancient Temples of the Tooth Relic and the stunning statues at Gal Viharaya. After reaching Anuradhapura we'll have our evening group meditation at the Sri Maha Bodhi tree.
Day 14: Anuradhapura
We will rise early for a group meditation at the sacred Ruwanweli Maha Seya stupa. After breakfast we'll explore the Maha Vihara ruins. In the afternoon we will visit the Dhamma Anuradha Vipassana Centre for a group meditation and Centre tour. In the evening we'll return to the Sri Maha Bodhi for a final group meditation.
Day 15: Anuradhapura
We will rise early for a group meditation at the Sanghamitta stupa. After breakfast we'll explore the Jetavanarama stupa & museum. In the afternoon we will visit the Vessagiriya cave complex for a group meditation and exploring. We'll end our day with an evening group meditation in the caves.
Day 16: Anuradhapura / Mihintale
Taking our packed breakfast with us, we'll travel to Mihintale and have a group meditation there at sunrise. We'll visit and meditate at Arahant Mahinda’s cave. In the afternoon we will visit the Mihintale Kaludiya Pokuna monastery and walk around the nearby pond and have our evening group meditation there.
Day 17: Anuradhapura to Negombo
We will travel for 3.5 hours to Negombo. After settling into our hotel, we'll have our evening group meditation and wrap up session.
Day 18: Negombo
Departures at any time.