Friday, August 15, 2008

Buddha Statue arrives at Gomde














A new statue of Shakyamuni Buddha arrived at Gomde July 18th, just two hours before Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche arrived to begin his summer teachings. The 4 1/2-foot high image was made in Thailand. Rinpoche worked closely with Thai craftsmen to replicate a smaller Shakyamuni image he possesses that is a relic from Nalanda. The statue is one of several that have been made to be placed in Rinpoche's centers around the world. Another 1,000 smaller images of the statue are being made for the gompa at Lumbini.

On Friday, the Buddha statue was ceremonially unwrapped and placed on the throne in the shrine room. Copies of the Kangyur donated by Juan Gutierrez were carried around the outside of the Buddha Hall in a procession led by Rinpoche before being installed on the shrine. A large shrine is being built to hold the Buddha image, texts, and future statues.

Rinpche would like to request all sangha members, monks, nuns and laypeople -- those who know us, as well as those who don't know us, but know of us -- to please pray that the teachings and practice of the Dharma will continue to increase at Gomde, and that we will be able to build a temple, retreat housing, and a shedra. He would like everyone to aspire that these will all be accomplished at Gomde. As well, he requests that we all pray for peace in the world, as well personal mental peace for all beings.

Ngakso Puja

Some photos from the beautiful Ngakso Puja on July 27, 2009.