The Mystical Mountain
the mystical name of Mt. Kailas is Mt. Meru which is known as the cosmic center of the universe and the mandala of intrinsic awareness. The four divine rivers Indus, Ganges, Yanrlung and Sutlej sprout fourth from Kailas bringing the nectar of life to Tibet, India, China, Burma and the four cardinal and intermeditate dircetions. For Hindus Mt. Kailas rises out of Manasarova lake like a shivalingham arising out of a sixteen petaled lotus. Lord Shiva sits on the peak of Mt. Kailas in continual state of tantric union and samadhi bliss. Jians call it Astapada where their lord Rishabhdev obtained nirvana. Bonpos call it Tise where many of there ancestors reached enlightenment. Tibetans generally call it Kang Rimpoche, the precious Jewel. For Buddhists Mt. Kailas is the mandala of Chakrasamvara and Lake Manasarova is the mandala of his consort Chakrasamvari and like the union of the sun and moon exist in non-dual awareness. It is especially sacred to the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism as the site where their immortal saint Milarepa still resides. In a contest with the Bonpo Shaman Naro they decided that who ever could get to the top first would lay claim to the holy mountain. Naro started up first using his drum as a sled. Milarepa waited for the sun to rise and jumping on a sun beam instantly flew to the peak. When the Bonpo Shaman saw Milarepa at the top he fell to the bottom and you can still see the marks in the cliff where his drum scraped the rock. Milarepa took up residence in the inner-sanctum of the Kailas mandala. The three main mountains surrounding Mt. Kailas are sacred sites for Manjushri, Avalokitishvara and Vajrapani. Lake Manasarova is a very special sacred site for Vajrayogini and together represent the non-dual nature of reality.

The pilgrimage
The outer circumambulation of Mt. Kailas takes three days for the average hiker. It begins in a clockwise direction following a meandering stream surrounded by grassy meadows spotted with various rock formations and fields of flowers. By the end of the day we'll reach the North Face and set camp for evening practice. The second day we will cross the 19,500 ft. high pass crossing the awesome North Face and hike down to Milarepa's cave for evening practice. The third day is all down hill from there following the main river amongst the many multi-colored rock formations back to the Tibetan bazaar at the Karchen base camp. Then we will continue on to circumambulate the holy lake Manasarova and bathe and purify in the sweet nectar of these devine waters. Circumambulating the outer kora purifies the negative karma of a whole year. Done on holy days multiplies the purification and one hundred and eight circumambulations guarantees enlightenment.

The dharma
The sublime practice of Guru Rimpoche's Mahasandhi yoga in all its outer, inner and secret facets will be continually practiced throughout the sacred journey. The main sadhanas will be Troma Chod. We will also do a host of other practices and join in what ever practices of the great masters and practitioners we will find along the way. We will request their empowerments, transmissions and teachings when ever these auspicious ocassions arise. Though all is welcome on this pilgrimage empowerment and transmission from a qualified Lama is required to join in the chod practices.