Fundraising
A Stupa at the Hermitage of the Awakened Heart
Ynys Graianog, Criccieth 2011
A project of the Awakened Heart Sangha under the direction of Lama Shenpen Hookham In the late 1980s, His Holiness Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche told Lama Shenpen that she and Lama Rigdzin Shikpo should build a stupa in northwest Wales. She now has a plan for constructing a small stupa in the garden of the Hermitage of the Awakened Heart, near Criccieth, which has been her home since 2003. A stupa is a symbol of Enlightenment, and acts as a focus for spiritual energy. This arises from interpenetration, which is the true nature of the universe, outside time and space. This is an opportunity to contribute to a project that will express the world of Awakening in Wales, benefiting you and all beings.
Yn yr 1980au hwyr, dywedodd Ei Sancteiddrwydd Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche wrth Lama Shenpen y dylai hi a Lama Rigdzin Shikpo adeiladu stwpa yng ngogledd orllewin Cymru. Mae hi bellach am adeiladu stwpa bach yng ngardd y Lloches, ger Cricieth, lle mae wedi ymgartrefu er 2003. Symbol o oleudigaeth yw stwpa, ac yn ganolbwynt ar gyfer nerth ysbrydol sydd yn tarddu o gyd-dreiddiad, sef gwir natur y Bydysawd, tu allan i ofod ac amser. Dyma gyfle i ddod yn rhan o brosiect a fydd yn mynegi byd Deffroad yng Nghymru, gan wneud lles i chi a holl fodau byw.
What is a stupa?
Essentially a stupa derives from the ancient idea of a burial mound, not unlike the cromlechs on the Llyn peninsula. Stupas are familiar monuments in Buddhist countries and there are already some in Britain. In the Tibetan tradition there are a number of different kinds. Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche directed us to build a stupa to commemorate the Buddha’s Enlightenment with an image of Tara, the female embodiment of compassion, gazing out from within it.
The symbolism of the stupa
The central pillar represents the ancient idea of the world axis and makes the place where it stands the centre of the Universe, and the beginning of our path to Enlightenment. The steps of the square base symbolise stages in the development of insight. Each facet protects the sacred space in which the path to Enlightenment can awaken in us. The dome is like a womb, containing the essence of the Buddha. The top of the spire represents the stages of the Bodhisattva path up to perfect Awakening at the tip, where it merges into the undifferentiated vastness of space.
What is the use of a stupa?
The stupa acts as a focus for spiritual energy, benefiting all who come within its sphere of influence. The prayers of all those involved in its construction and consecration determine the intensity of its power and effectiveness. Once it is built and consecrated the stupa can be used as a focus for our practice whether we are in its immediate presence or not, for instance by bowing to it, circumambulating it, making offerings such as flowers and prayer flags – or simply by calling it to mind. You will be welcome to visit it by appointment.
The plan of action
Construction of the stupa structure will begin off-site in April, and the ground will be prepared over the summer. The stupa will then be assembled on the site and consecrated by lamas from Nepal, with many rituals, in a special event to be held in late September or early October. The dates of this will be announced in due course.
Afterwards, the site will be landscaped, with prayer wheels and houses in which people may leave the ashes of their loved ones.
How you can get involved
You can make a donation to the project, which will be used as follows:
Construction and consecration of the stupa: £14000
Houses for ashes, prayer wheels, landscaping: £9000
Any extra funds raised will be used for the future upkeep of the stupa and to improve its surroundings, for instance further landscaping and better access for people with disabilities.
If you would like to make a donation, you can do so via the Donations and Payments page selecting ‘Donation’ and ‘Stupa'. Click here to make a donation.
We will also need volunteers to help at various stages of the construction of the Stupa, and the landscaping of the grounds, and especially at the consecration in September/October. Please contact the AHS Office if you would like to help.
Click here to download more information about the Stupa
(4KB PDF format)
Mindful - Tummy Full
This beautiful recipe book is full of lovely vegetarian recipes, all contributed by AHS members. It was originally planned to celebrate 10 years of the Awakened Heart Sangha but took a year to produce! I would recommend it to anyone, not just Buddhists, not just vegetarians.
To buy a copy, just go to Donations and Payments. The cost of the book is £10.00 + p&p (UK £1.50 Europe £2.50 Rest of the World £3.00).
If you would like the book sent to a different address from the billing address, send a separate email to maggie@ahs.org.uk with details.
Fundraising for the Sangha
We have had some great fund-raising events so far. AHS members are continuing to hold local events, car-boot sales, coffee evenings, offering to give talks...
If you would like to do something on our behalf we would be deeply grateful. Please email Jane Powell, Operations Manager jane@ahs.org.uk if you have a good idea that you would be willing to put into action. It is never easy asking people for money and these are very challenging times, so rather than just asking you to donate money (which is always welcome) we would love it if you can think of a creative way of generating funds to support our work.