Here, is what must be earnestly regarded as an important opportunity. Kyabje Tarthang Rinpoche is engaged in what, at twenty feet, will be the largest casting of Padmasambhava's image to be attempted in U.S. history. This will also become one of the largest such images in the West.
For a one-time donation of USD $70.00, you can buy an ingot of bronze that will be used in the pour.
This is a very good way to answer the destruction of Buddhist images that gives us all such dismay. This is also a legitimate milestone in the ripening of Padmasambhava's blessings here in the United States.
Just to be a small part of this has indescribable effect.
UPDATE: 26 September 2013
A spokesperson for this project has announced, in a letter circulated to all sponsors, that the project's goals have been met:
UPDATE: 26 September 2013
A spokesperson for this project has announced, in a letter circulated to all sponsors, that the project's goals have been met:
"You may like to know that we used 9,000 lbs of clay, over 250 moulds, and 6000 pounds of bronze. At first, there were only two people working on the sculpting, with an occasional helper. The pouring of the bronze was done by a larger team of volunteers and they finished their final mould pour this week on Friday's full moon."
The person also noted:
"It was so heartwarming to receive donations from people who we have never heard of before, somehow they received news about this project and decided to help. Many of them may not even know of Dharma Publishing and yet somehow they were moved to help make this happen. In the Life and Liberation of Padmasambhava which is authored by Yeshe Tsogyal, Padmasambhava says himself, "For those to come who will not have met me, my image will light up the night of ignorance. Whoever loves and reveres the statue will have his desires fulfilled as if by a pile of riches and will be happy without fluctuation or change.”
Thus, while the opportunity to participate in this project has passed, there is still much to be done with numerous opportunities to make merit on a truly effective scale.
Maybe it's time to consider a project in the desert cove in addition to the stupa? (LL)
ReplyDeleteThat's worth bringing up. If every Tibetan Buddhist in the U.S.A. coughed up a lousy USD $70., that whole thing would be done, and everybody could then go on to the next thing. But, here in U.S.A. we predictably live in a swamp of sectarianism, empire building, and all sorts of nonsense that has nothing to do with nothing. So, generally speaking, Americans would rather eat a wooden bucket full of raw eels than write each other a check that doesn't bounce. Everybody knows this is true. Everybody agrees that it sucks. Nothing has changed.
ReplyDeleteNow, as to your suggestion, I was thinking along the lines of a very small chapel. I could call it Mouse Back Chapel, or something like that.
Genghis Khan was born in the Year of the Black Rat. Auspicious? You decide.
ReplyDeleteIf I might suggest an alternative name, since I am one of your few devoted who have been to the Cave, the name, "Chapel of the West Wind" might be more appropriate because the wind will blow through the temple's wind chimes -- a lot. (ll)
There are such things in this world.
ReplyDeleteAmerican's were King Solomon's mine that rebuilt the temples and monastaries of lower Asia. The cow has been milked and put out to pasture to graze. Don't ride her like an unloved donkey. Don't worry the mines of Asia will open again soon enough and your friends will reciprocate the bounless wheel of generosity.
ReplyDeleteforgive me for asking this, but i just read the entirety of your blog in one sitting and i'm quite fascinated. is there a way to contact you via email? thanks! i can understand if you're not interested in giving out that information.
ReplyDeleteyou could try tenparinpoche at G
ReplyDeleteThis is incredible news... makes me want to dance in the sky! REJOICE for the benefit of all sentient beings.
ReplyDeleteOm Ah Hum Vajra Guru Padma Siddhi Hum!
Thank you for sharing this information!
Being housebound, and handicapped, having this digital altar is the sangha most accessible to me, the only one accessible to me. Thank for having this for wheelchair bunnies like me. Thank you so very very much.
ReplyDelete