Close-up of a person sitting cross-legged, with hands resting on their lap. They are wearing a blue shirt and brown pants with a fringed shawl. In front of them is a Tibetan singing bowl placed on a decorative cushion.

Eleven Directions has been curating and leading journeys through Asia for the mindful traveler since 1988. We specialize in simultaneously taking you on an inner journey of transformation and an outer journey of discovery.

Some of Our Upcoming Journeys

  • Six young boys dressed in orange robes walking down stone stairs surrounded by brick walls.

    Sri Lanka- Explore the Island of Serendipity

    Pilgrimage with Dharmacharya Shantum Seth

    January 5th-17th 2026

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  • Peepal Pilgrimage with Plum Village - In the Footsteps of the Buddha

    Led by Br. Phap Huu and other monastics from Plum Village & Dharmacharya Shantum

    January 31st-Febuary 13th 2026

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  • Stone sculpture of a seated Buddhist figure surrounded by smaller figures, animals, and decorative elements.

    Saal Pilgrimage In the Footsteps of the Buddha

    Pilgrimage in India and Nepal with Dharmacharya Shantum Seth

    November 6th-19th 2025

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  • A traditional painting of a woman holding a flower, wearing jewelry and a draped garment, with an elaborate background depicting other figures and scenic elements.

    The Exquisite Caves of Ajanta and Ellora

    November 21 - 23, 2025 (Option for SAAL Pilgrimage)

    (Also open all year round)

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  • The Taj Mahal seen through an open doorway at sunset, with warm golden light illuminating the marble monument.

    Agra - Building Love-Agra, the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort

    November 19-20, 2025 (Option for SAAL Pilgrimage)

    (Also open all year round)

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Testimonials

  • "With each step and breath the Buddha comes alive. Shantum's balance of knowledge, insight and humor brings joy to those journeying with him in the footsteps of the Buddha."

    Thich Nhat Hanh, Zen Master

  • "Pilgrimage with Shantum is an extraordinary and inspiring experience! These voyages are the best and most blessed way to encounter Buddhist Asia."

    Jack Kornfield, Founder of Spirit Rock Centre

  • "It's been a true joy and delight to spend these past couple of days with you together with my family, Shantum. Thank you for providing such a beautiful safe space for me...Grateful to have met you. Thank you for giving us some tools to take on with us and I look forward to our continuing friendship."

    DUA LIPA, Musician

  • "I never join tour groups, but "In the Footsteps of the Buddha" turned out to be the best introduction to the Buddha's life, to India's sacred Buddhist pilgrimage sites and to group leader Shantum Seth...... Shantum is good at balancing between tour leader..part psychotherapist- and skillful Buddhism teacher."

    Excerpt from National Geographic, Perry Garfinkel, Author of "Buddha or Bust"

  • "The most worthwhile journey of my life. This pilgrimage is unique."

    Doris Field, Nurse, USA

  • "This wondrous journey opens Dharma door after Dharma door. Led by Shantum Seth, the pilgrimage teaches you through history and living Buddhism what the heart of the Buddha was truly about. Shantum himself is an example of practice, an inspiration and a teacher of grace, kindness and insight. With him, you feel the presence of Buddhism as a living tradition of compassion."

    Joan Halifax Roshi, Founding Teacher, Upaya Foundation, USA

  • "Shantum guided us skillfully through the sacred ancient sites and also through modern India treating us as friends and guests. He bridges East and West effortlessly, with great humanity. The stories of the Buddha's life as we sat in the gardens at Lumbini, strolled the ruins of Buddha's palace,or watched the sun set on the exact spot where he died - helped me understand the drama of his life, and the significance of his teachings."

    Jim Gollin, Financial Advisor

  • "Shantum's Buddhapath journeys lead the awakening pilgrim to visions of the ancient paradise of Shakyamuni and his enlightened community, still living in the midst of Mother India in all her paradoxical glory."

    Professor Robert Thurman, Professor Columbia University

  • "Whether you are a Buddhist pilgrim or simply want to learn more about the sources of Buddhism, you will find Shantum Seth's guided journey to the places in India where the Buddha lived and taught, a deeply enriching and unforgettable experience."

    Stephen Batchelor, Author of Buddhism without Beliefs

  • "Shantum is a natural- his infectious love of people and the Dharma permeates his work. He connects effortlessly with people of widely differing backgrounds -beggars, monks, scholars- and brings his fellow travelers into worlds they would otherwise never experience. Pilgrims can expect their hearts and minds to open in surprising ways."

    Dr. Christopher K. Germer, Professor Harvard Medical School

Three people in conversation in a room with shelves of books and a satellite dish on top of a bookshelf.

Our Story

In 1988, Shantum Seth was invited by Thich Nhat Hanh to organize a pilgrimage to the sacred sites associated with the Buddha’s life across India. Thay himself led that first journey, and afterward encouraged Shantum to continue guiding such pilgrimages each year as part of his mindfulness practice.

Since then, Shantum has been leading these transformative journeys, offering people from around the world an opportunity to walk in the Buddha’s footsteps with awareness and insight. In 2005, he left his position at the United Nations to establish the Ahimsa Trust, an organization dedicated to promoting mindfulness, peace, and nonviolence. Through Eleven Directions, his expression of Right Livelihood, Shantum continues to spend half the year cultivating mindfulness and building community on these special pilgrimages.

Our Commitment to Sustainability and Peace: Ahimsa Trust

A proportion of the proceeds of the above journeys goes to the non-profit, volunteer-based organisation Ahimsa Trust. Ahimsa Trust is working for peace through mindfulness in education, sustainable livelihoods and cultural harmony.

A large group of school children sitting closely together, smiling and laughing during an event or assembly.
Yellow silhouette of a person lying on a sled in the center, surrounded by concentric spirals of numerous yellow figures holding hands.
Learn more about Ahimsa Trust's work

Are you a Buddhist Community that wants to experience a retreat on wheels, as a sangha?

Partner With Us

Are you an individual who wants to travel in community?

Join our Journeys

Are you a school or university who wants to bring students and staff to Asia?

Partner With Us

Experience India the way the Buddha would have with Our Signature Journey: ‘In the Footsteps of the Buddha’.

Shakyamuni Buddha discovered the path to overcoming suffering and bringing happiness to individuals, families, and societies. Before his passing, he suggested that it would greatly benefit those interested in his teachings to make a pilgrimage to the places associated with his life.

This 14-day journey begins in the vibrant capital of India, Delhi, where ancient history meets modern charm and sacred sites offer a meaningful gateway to our spiritual journey.

Our retreat schedule will include daily sitting and walking meditation, often starting with a morning meditation at one of the Buddhist sites. This will be followed by breakfast at the hotel, after which we’ll visit one of the Buddhist sites listed in the itinerary. Dharmacharya Shantum will offer a detailed talk on that site in the context of the Buddha’s life and teachings, and what was happening in the area many centuries ago, while also making it relevant to our times. Pilgrims will have some time at the site to walk around, after which we will have lunch. We’ll rest after lunch, after which we may visit another site associated with the Buddha or go to a village, school, home and meet with interesting people etc. We return to the hotel by evening in time for dinner and Dharma sharings on some days. The monastics will lead us in many of the practices. On travel days, the schedule may shift slightly. The itinerary allows flexibility to suit the group’s size, needs, and interests.

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Close-up of two stone sculptures of hands touching, likely part of an ancient artifact or monument.

Why Now Is A Perfect Time To Practice Mindfulness According To Zen Leader Shantum Seth: Forbes

Eleven Directions- Get to Know Us

Our partners

  • A circular emblem with a black outer border. Inside, there's an orange ring with the words 'SWARITI SAMADHI PRAYNA' written on it. The inner part contains a red stylized lamp or lantern, with a pointed roof and intricate lines beneath.

    Plum Village

  • Logo for Lion's Roar, featuring a black silhouette of a Buddha's head inside a circle on a yellow striped background, with the text 'LION'S ROAR' and the subtitle 'Buddhist wisdom for our time'.

    Lions Roar Magazine

  • Large initials 'SR' in navy blue over a light background with a faint floral mandala pattern.

    Spirit Rock Meditation Centre

  • Logo with a stylized cloud and musical note, the text 'TIBET HOUSE US' and Tibetan script on a red background.

    Tibet House

  • The word 'tricycle' written in black text next to a red Buddha statue on a white background.

    Tricycle Magazine

  • Seal of the Phillips Exeter Academy featuring a tree, a hill, a sun with rays, and Latin phrases, all in red.

    Phillips Exeter Academy

  • Harvard University shield with open books at top, a sword and a cross, and a banner with Latin text below.

    Groton School

  • Logo of Bodhi College with an illustration of a pair of shoes and the college name in black and gold text.

    Bodhi College

  • Logo of Zen Peacemakers International featuring a butterfly with purple hues and stylized tree branches above it, with the organization name encircling the design.

    Zen Peacemakers

  • Text on a white background that reads "The Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program" in black, with gold decorative borders at the top and bottom.

    MMTCP

  • A large, elegant mansion with classical architecture, surrounded by greenery and trees.

    Museum Rietberg

  • Logo for Upaya Zen Center featuring a red circular maze or labyrinth above the black text 'Upaya Zen Center' on a white background.

    Upaya Zen Centre

  • A spiral pattern of yellow human figures holding hands surrounding a person sitting in a boat in the center.

    Ahimsa Trust

Why ‘Eleven Directions’:

We offer outbound journeys that also take you inward.

Between the four cardinal directions - North, South, East and West - lie the four intermediate directions: North-East, North-West, South-East and South-West.

Then there are the directions Above and Below. All this adds up to ten directions.

The Eleventh Direction is Inward, the journey into one's self.

Our goal is to take you to fascinating places all over the word while curating journeys that nourish you and help you transform.

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