HOLY OBJECTS AND PROJECTS
IN
ROOT INSTITUTE
"Regardless of faith, the object also has power. The power of the statue [and other holy objects] arises from Buddha's mind. It comes from the inconceivable qualities of the Buddha; from so many prayers that Buddha made in the past." — Lama Zopa Rinpoche
There are four main sets of holy objects in Root Institute
Firstly, there is the iconic statue of Maitreya Buddha in nirmanakaya aspect, in the centre of the courtyard. The statue is carved from sandstone and was made by a Varanasi artisan (who also carved and constructed the large Namgyalma stupa in Maitreya Project School grounds, as well as several stupas in the Sarnath and Bodhgaya Alice Project schools.) Although the art of the statue is not perfect according to textual sources, it has a very peaceful presence and a pleasing expression.
In 1999 Lama Zopa Rinpoche advised us to make 36” statues of Kadampa Lamas Drontompa, Geshe Chekawa, Geshe Potawa and Geshe Langri Tangpa. We found the correct drawings in the collection of the Asian Classics Institute, and commissioned the statues in Nepal. Geshe Thubten Tashi and Ven. Tenpa Choden from Kopan Monastery oversaw the artwork and the statues were beautifully made. Rinpoche said even in Tibet statues of the Kadampa Lamas were rare, and these have now been blessed by several great lamas, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Gyalwa Karmapa and Ling Rinpoche.
Also, according to Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s advice, a large prayer wheel now adorns Root Institute gardens. The prayer wheel is the same size and design as the one at Kopan Monastery, Nepal and was constructed in Boudha, Nepal. The lettering is gold plated, and the prayer wheel contains most, if not all, of the mantra and texts generally recommended by Rinpoche, including a complete set of Kangyur, billions of Mani mantra on microfilm, and several tons of various paper mantras and texts, mostly Om Mani Padme Hum. The prayer wheel is very well balanced, meaning it spins by itself for a long time after being turned. The structure housing the prayer wheel was beautifully painted by Nepalese artists. The prayer wheel also has been blessed and turned by various great beings – one of the advantages of being in Bodhgaya – movie stars and people from all walks of life. Rinpoche has given several talks on the benefits of the prayer wheel. Read More >>
Our fourth holy objects project, is the stupas that adorn Root Institute gardens, sponsored by individuals and groups to create merit personally and for living and deceased relatives, or for the success of a project. These are mainly Kadampa stupas, but recently Rinpoche advised us to start making stupas in various sizes and in the eight designs, and the Namgyalma stupa for long life, and to buy new land for a huge garden of stupas that animals can also circumambulate. Read More >>
Thubten Labdron
Bodhgaya
February 18, 2010
