Useful Information for Lay Attendees

All people interested in attending the Tipitaka Chanting Ceremony are most welcome.

Registration is reserved for the Bhikkhu Sangha as the organizing committee sponsors their travel expenses within India, but laypeople form an important and valued part of the ceremony itself. The Tipitaka Chanting Council welcomes all who wish to attend, and whilst attendees are requested to make their own arrangements for travel, accommodation and food.

The schedule of the ceremony comprises daily chanting evening, dhamma talks, and a pilgrimage following the completion of the ceremony. Please come and continue the growth of the chanting ceremony as a true festival of the Buddhadharma in India.

Volunteer Opportunities

Food Serving Team

Registration Team

Tea and Coffee Serving

Cooks

Decoration Team

Clean up Team

Medical Team

General Information Team

Volunteer Guide In English

Volunteer Guide 2015 PDF

Volunteer Guide In Khmer

ITCC Volunteer Guide In Khmer 2015

Announcement

Travel Information

Overview of Travel Arrangements to Gaya, India:

Only direct air link from Bangkok to Gaya is operated by Thai Airways International. Seats are expensive and in short supply due to withdrawal of all competing carriers which formerly landed at the Gaya Airport.

Nearby cities with national airlinks connecting to international flights are Varanasi (VNS, Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport), at a distance of 250 km from Gaya and Patna (PAT, Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Airport), at a distance of 100 km from Gaya. Jet Airways has direct (1hr20min) and multi-hop flights to Varanasi from Delhi for those traveling from abroad. Indian Airlines has flights from Delhi to Patna. Both airlines connect with international arriving flights. Local transport must be arranged between Varanasi-Gaya by bus or train and between Patna-Gaya by bus or taxi.

Another alternative is to arrive in the international gateway cities, like Kolkata/Calcutta (CCU, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport), 500 km from Gaya, or Delhi (DEL, Indira Gandhi International Airport), 1000 km from Gaya, with onward inland transport by bus or train. Onward inland transport mode/bookings should be coordinated prior to arrival due to the complexities of purchasing tickets in India. Ample time must be left for inter-mode connections and for the complexities of Indian customs formalities.

** Note that passport must have at least six months’ validity to the date of departure from India. **

You can find some useful info for accommodation at here:

WHAT TO BRING?

Clothing

• Comfortable shoes with good tread.
• A sweater and outer jacket are recommended since temperatures can drop close to freezing in January.
• Men should bring lightweight cotton pants and women should bring long skirts or dresses of a lightweight material with long sleeves. Men may wish to take one tie and jacket for formal meetings. To respect local customs, shorts and tank tops should be avoided.
• Socks/ Sock slippers for the temple (To wear in dirty/dusty shoe-free locations. e.g. inside temple grounds)

Luggage

• Luggage locks are strongly recommended.
• A carry-on bag or daypack. International flights may only allow one piece of carry on luggage.
• If carrying along expensive electronics or photography equipment, declare before entering India.

Supplies

• Extra pair of glasses and/or your prescription in case of theft or loss.
• A flashlight (power can go out several times a day).
• A small pocket-knife for peeling fruit.
• An electrical coil for boiling water.
• An India wall plug adapter for electrical equipment. Also India has 220V/50Hz power so you might need a converter.
• Money belt for passports, credit cards, cash etc.
• For your own protection, please have a photocopy of the first 2 pages of your passport and the page with Indian Visa.
• We recommend that you bring some light food with you for snacks. Ex. Granola bars, power bars, powdered protein drinks, instant oat meal, nuts, herbal tea, hot chocolate and dried fruits.
• You may need mosquito repellent. Mosquito nets are usually provided by guest houses. Enclosed, zipped net tents are available in Bodhgaya for ~300 Rs
• Please carry hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
• You may also need hand gel/liquid hand soap, disposable face masks, rags/antibacterial cleaning liquid, plastic sheet/cushion for meditation, sleeping bag for overnight stay and medicines as necessary.