// June 16th, 2009 // No Comments » // Uncategorized
When I was around four years old I was this ratty kid out of South Central Los Angeles that was lucky enough to be literate and able to pick the kind of things I wanted to do when I left the house. I read in a newspaper one week that some Buddhists were going to be at one of the museums in Exposition Park and I wanted to go. The event was free. My parents were cool with shuttling me on the bus to get away from our crime-ridden neighborhood on the weekends. The museums at the park could be expensive for my family so I was not going to miss out on a chance to go for free.
I did not know who Buddhists were but wanted to see what they were going to be doing with some sand. Perhaps my young mind figured it would be like the beach but without having to be on the bus for an extra two hours. It was not at all like the beach.
The monks were starting construction on a large mandala on the ground. It was a pretty intense design with the intricate geometric preparation. A few men were starting construction in the center. I just wanted to hang at the thick rope barricading the mandala from the public and ask my mother a million questions she could not answer.
A man not involved in the construction at the time came over to the rope and began answering what must have been my simple, ignorant questions. I think he listened to me yap on for a while because no one else was around. When I asked why the metal cones made the noise they did he invited me under the rope to get closer. I was pretty scared and held my breath with my hands behind my back because I didn’t want to mess up what they were doing. He laughed at me for doing this. He told me that things are not forever and that I could not damage what they were doing because they were going to mess it up themselves when it was over.
That experience has stayed with me as I have become older. I think it was that day that I realized I was a Buddhist. Something about what that monk said to me during our conversation resonated. It felt right.
That day also felt right. I didn’t have any expectations. I had nothing to be disappointed over. When I got there I didn’t really know what was going on but I was accepting. I fully experienced what was present before me and didn’t try to take any more than that.
This is how I felt with my recent trip to The Great Stupa of Dharmakaya. My husband and I drove the 96 miles from our Boulder home on a day trip to visit the Shambhala Mountain Center in Red Feather Lakes. We didn’t have any agenda, no planned retreat, we just wanted to check it out and maybe make the 2 PM tour.
The trip was perfect. We could not have planned it better. Highway 14 along the Cache La Poudre River gave way to gorgeous views with fast flowing water, green canyon slopes and a mosaic of wildflowers. The afternoon thunderstorms were hinting at their presence with rich cumulous clouds punctuated with dark tones.
From the parking lot we walked through the campus center past registration, planning trailers, the mess hall tent, an archery pavillion, bookstore, and many wall tents on platforms spread along the hillsides. The path is lined with tall vertical flags so that you do not stray to another trail. Prayer flags established between trees sprouted in abundance the closer we got to the Great Stupa.
It is an estimated 20 minute walk from the parking lot to The Great Stupa. Along the way you see the golden cone radiate above trees on the path. Then you turn a corner and beyond the pines it appears and is stunning. I have to admit that I was not necessarily liberated upon seeing it, but I was impressed by how beautiful it was.
All of I knew of the Great Stupa before my arrival was that it was initiated in 1988 and consecrated in 2001. The motivation to build it was to honor the legacy of the Vidyadhara, Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche following his death. And the effort and construction was undertaken by volunteers.
In the center of the path preceding The Great Stupa entrance is a place for offerings. The bevy of items placed here is bewildering and cool.
My husband and I did not know the protocol, if there is any, of what to do at the Great Stupa. I had read at one point that meditation walks were recommended counter clockwise, but we ended up being the only people walking in that direction around the structure. We waited for the tour to start and I highly recommend attending a tour if it is your first time there.
The tour only contained two stops. One outside, and one inside. You take a seat at both locations. Ours was conducted by the researcher given the duty of studying the mandala on the ceiling and creating the murals that will be painted on the inside. He was extremley knowledgeable and laid out some of the history and meaning of the structure. Every form, tier, color, and symbol contributes to the story of the Great Stupa. It is essentially a three-dimensional mandala.
We then walked to the Stupa entrance and removed our shoes to enter and take a seat on a cushion. This is what you see when you enter. The 18-foot tall seated Buddha.
This Buddha is constructed from clay on the outside and on the inside contains the skull of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche in the heart center, an incense cedar pole running the course of what would be the spinal column, and is filled with thousands of mantra still being added via a door in the back and covered with cloth.
Much like the outside of the Great Stupa, this room is ornate and meaningful in every aspect. The walls contain alcoves with texts, pictures, and objects including an authentic illustration of Babar, the cartoon elephant, arriving at the Stupa. The floors are mosaic tiles also telling various stories. The ceiling depicts the mandala of Kalachakra.
Following the tour you are invited to walk around, take pictures, and enjoy this structure. The room empties out rather quickly following the tour. I stayed and meditated for a while. When I left the room following my mediation I had my “Aha-Eureka” moment I had experienced when I was a child and having my eyes open thanks to some kind words from a monk. I am a Buddhist. This environment made sense to me. No expectations, experiencing it in the present. It was a nice simple clarity. A moment of liberation for me.
The Great Stupa is open from 9 to 6 daily for visitors. A $10 donation is suggested per person. Tours are available Saturday and Sunday at 2 PM or you can arrange for private group tours. The visitor center adjacent to the Stupa has restrooms, tea, and a 25-minute video if you are not able to make it for a tour. Lunch is also available from 12:30 to 1:30 for another donation. For more information on the Great Stupa of Dharmakaya visit the Shambhala Mounter Center website.
**Just a note. I did take all of these pictures.
