It
is with great pleasure that we offer our first
tour to Tibet,
known as the “ roof of the world,” and
Bhutan, a tiny kingdom that’s considered
the last refuge of traditional Himalayan Buddhist
culture. Accompanied by Professor T. James Kodera
and tour escort John dePury, we will examine
the historical, artistic, and cultural heritages
of these regions, long isolated from the rest
of the world by the soaring Himalayas. Their
disappearing way of life, renowned sights, and
hidden treasures will come to life with the assistance
of expert guides and local residents, as well
as hands-on experiences.
After two nights in Beijing, we’ll fly to Lhasa,
the capital of Tibet. We will explore Lhasa over a period of four days, stopping
at the Jokhang, Tibet’s most sacred shrine and Lhasa’s spiritual
center. For more than a thousand years, pilgrims from all over the Tibetan plateau
have been drawn to the temple and its sacred statuary. We will visit the Potala
Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, whose outer section served as the winter
residence of the Dalai Lama. In the inner section, we’ll see temples and
the reliquary tombs of eight Dalai Lamas. At Sera Monastery, we’ll witness
a traditional debating ceremony before driving west to Shigatse and
the Tashilunpo Monastery, the seat of the Panchen Lama, the second-highest-ranking
Lama in the country. Built in 1447 by the first Dalai Llama, the monastery is
striking, with tiers of whitewashed buildings, red halls, and gold roofs.
Next, we’ll fly to the tiny kingdom of Bhutan, where the
people call themselves Drukpas, or “Dragon People,” and are closely
related to their Tibetan neighbors. From there, we will visit Paro and Thimphu,
where we have arranged a number of special visits. Among them, we’ll pay
a visit to the National Museum in Paro, which is housed in the ancient watchtower
of the Paro Dzong. In Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital since 1955, we will visit
the National Library, and the National Painting School, where talented children
learn traditional arts and crafts.
Throughout the trip, we’ll enjoy deluxe accommodations, talented academic
leadership, behind-the-scenes visits, and the natural charm and mystery of these
kingdoms that time forgot. Join us for this spectacular journey!
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T. James Kodera is professor of religion and co-director
of East Asian Studies at Wellesley College. Born and raised
in Japan, he was educated at Carleton College, Yale Divinity School, and Columbia
University, where he received a Ph.D. in the Historical and Comparative Study
of Religion. Since joining the Wellesley faculty in 1976, he has helped develop
programs in Japanese Studies, East Asian Studies, and Asian American Studies.
Professor Kodera’s courses in the historical comparative and study of religion focus on Buddhism and the religions of East Asia.
He has a special interest
in contemplative and
cloistered life as it relates to activism. His religion courses contribute to
offerings in Chinese and Japanese studies. He has served twice as visiting
professor at Doshisha University in Kyoto, Japan.
He also serves on the Board
of AsiaNetwork a national organization of liberal arts colleges committed to
Asian Studies. |
