We are delighted to offer again a unique opportunity to visit Buddhism’s holy sites with a group of MMTCP alumni as we walk in the Footsteps of the Buddha: A Pilgrimage to the Source of Mindfulness. Twenty-eight pilgrims made this journey in 2025 and it was such a transformative experience, we had to do it again! Scroll down for photos and testimonials and trip share back from our first cohort.
Pilgrimage dates February 20 – March 5, 2027; the journey will be led by Dharmacharya Shantum Seth and accompanied by Paru Desai, ED MMTCP Alumni Association.
We will honor the ancient Buddhist origins of all mindfulness teachings as we retrace the path of the Buddha’s life through northern India. Experience the life of the Buddha through the places he lived, meditated, and taught. This pilgrimage is an unforgettable opportunity to explore areas that few tourists visit and to experience aspects of contemporary Indian life that, in many ways, have not changed since the time of the Buddha. Along the way, you’ll deepen your understanding of the depth and breadth of your mindfulness lineage in ways that will enrich you both as a practitioner and teacher. Traveling with an MMTCP alumni sangha will only enhance this transformative journey. As a member of the MMTCP community, you are welcome to also bring with you a family member, life partner, or close friend to share in this transformative journey with you.
To journey through the heart of northern India, immersing in Buddhism’s holiest sites alongside spiritual friends, is more than a pilgrimage—it is a profound transformation. Moving as a sangha, we don’t just visit history; we walk in the dharma together in the very places it was born.
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Recording from Information Session on June 3. Come meet Shantum and the Buddha Path team at this information session and hear more about the trip’s content and logistics.
We will schedule an additional information session in August but please email parudesai@mmtcpalumni.org for any questions.
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- First cohort pilgrims share photos and reflections and impact about this transformative experience:
Jack with Shantum on a recent trip to Cambodia and Laos and his note for us 🙂 !
Jack’s note
Jack with Shantum
colors of Varanasi
Deer Park – receiving a talk on the Four Noble Truths where it was first delivered was magical
meditation at Vulture Peak, one of the Buddha’s favorite sites
at the house of one of our guides
Gas station parking lot Qigong!
Bay Area, CA well represented
Michael Cory — a photo of our unofficial official photographer
A classic Shantum pause
Spanish speakers in the house
Under THE Bodhi Tree
Bodh Gaya
Either we all knew the answer or all had a question…. Life on the bus!
Shantum and Anne Cushman first met in India over 2 decades ago!