Stupa

Don’t Let This Miracle Slip Away

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Time has run out.

We have reached the moment when we either need to secure the Amitabha Sacred Land in Sedona, Arizona or it will be lost if one of or a combination of the things listed below do not happen immediately. Procedures to redraw the boundaries on the land will commence Monday, July 9th and access to the Stupa will become very limited for everyone. The majority of the land will go back to the lender and be open for development.

The Situation

We have, since December, raised $100,000 toward securing this land through generous donations and compassionate activity.  The outpouring has been extraordinary. What we need right now

  1. A friendly loan for $600,000, which – through the great generosity of our donors – we can document that we can pay through our monthly Friends of Amitabha Stupa Campaign and daily donations from thousands of visitors to the Stupa.
  2. A solid sale of the 4.6 acres which would substantially reduce the amount of the friendly loan needed.
  3. Cash donations to reduce the amount of the friendly loan needed

Webathon – On Thursday July 5th, starting at 7P.M., we will be talking about the tremendous blessings available because of this most extraordinary Stupa and how you can keep it from being lost! Please tune in here

This situation requires spiritual heros – people who have a sense of their own destiny and see that there is an extraordinary moment of decision at hand. History can be made in support of preserving the sacred, on behalf of the hopeless, for those in need of healing, for the millions who will visit this place in the decades and centuries to come; long after today’s institutions and enterprises have gone.  Once secured, the Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park, this place of peace, will endure. It will continue to pour out blessings and virtue all day and all night, bringing countless blessings to the world.

So the question is who will see this and in one moment of open-hearted compassion and courage, act unselfishly for the greater good and the benefit of all sentient beings. If you are that hero please come forth now. You can make a donation online. If you would like to speak with someone about your charitable contribution, please contact Claire Waggoner via kpc”at”tara.org.

 

Recent Activity and Efforts to secure the Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park

Campaigns

Friends of Amitabha Stupa campaign: debited monthly donations

The purpose to ensure that strong cash flow exists in order to service a new “friendly loan,” at a lower interest rate, if needed.

• Started in February with 12 Friends at about $200 per month

• Current number of Friends: 95 donating $2,250 per month and increasing steadily

• Goal is 108 friends bringing in $3,000

Path to Peace Brick Campaign: sponsoring bricks with messages at the Amitabha Stupa ($500, $250 or $100)

• Since April, 2012: 33 new brick sponsors bringing in just under $5,000 in donations

Offerings at the Stupa

• Fluctuates seasonally. Averaging $2,000 plus per month and increasing.

CURRENT CASH FLOW: $4,000 PER MONTH AND INCREASING

Visitors to the Stupa

• Estimated at 20,000 plus visitors annually and increasing

Local Business Support through Sponsored Events: (headlines from news articles in bold)

December 2, 2011

AZADI Fine Rugs Event Help Secure Sacred Land: The Amitabha Stupa, Jewel of Sedona Azadi Rugs held 2 fundraising events: wine reception, music and a % of sales going to the Amitabha Stupa and a $1,000 gift certificate donated to the Heartline Restaurant fundraising event in February.

December 31, 2011

Celebrate the New Year with Prayerful Intentions!

Over 500 people attended and many offered flowers wrote their intensions for the New Year on blank colored prayer flags. Heart of Sedona, Heartline, Mountain High Flowers all came through with in-kind donations. Intended as a celebration it brought in $2,800

February 11, 2012

The HeartLine Café Hosts a Benefit for the Amitabha Stupa Fabulous Buffet, Music and Silent Auction! 

• Over 175 in attendance

• Owner Phyllis Cline sponsored everything: the space, delicious buffet, beverages

• Over 150 silent auction items were donated

• $9,000 raised

June 10 2012

Celebrating the Amitabha Stupa & Peace Park with Fine Art, Music, and Food June 10

• Deborah Leatherwood, owner of Rene Restaurant sponsored event

• Light fare, wine and refreshments, music

• Over 65 artists, many well known and collected internationally as well as local emerging artists participated.

• Ballroom space was donated by Wendy Lippman, General Manager of Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village.

• Over $9,000 raised.

Online Webathon from the main temple in Poolesville Maryland, June 12, 2012

• Two hour streamed, live webathon brought in $18,000

Pet Blessing at the Amitabha Stupa June 17, 2012

Dozens of people and their pets came for a blessing from the Heart Shrine Relic Tour that took place at 7 Centers Yoga. Pets were blessed with actual relics from the Buddha, similar to the Buddha relics contained within the Amitabha Stupa.

Upcoming Fundraising events:

Stand For Peace: July 8, 2012 four hour, multi-band concert and compilation CD release by well- known local musicians. All musicians are donating their time with 60% of gate and the majority of CD sales going to support the Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park.

Land Sale: 

Current status: negotiating an offer

• 4.6 acres has been for sale for two plus years.

Focus Now:

• “Friendly Angel Loan,” to relieve the current private note holder and to have more time to completely secure the land through donor development/fundraising and continuing events. 

Tune in to the Webathon on Thursday, July 5 at 7p.m to support the Amitabha Stupa and Sacred Land. Together we can secure this treasure!


Recognizing the Miraculous

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The following post was contributed by Ani Kunzang Drolma:

Recognizing the Miraculous

Designed by the Buddha himself, Stupas are a display of enlightened mind in the world. Because of this they provide an opportunity for all beings to receive blessings by making offerings, circumambulating and taking care of them. These blessings occur whether we understand the nature of a Stupa or not; the seed of Buddahood or enlightened mind exists in all sentient beings and can be ripened by these blessings. It is like a call and response on an invisible, subtle level that can happen spontaneously without the process of ordinary, rational, thinking. A person who is not a Buddhist, perhaps not having any faith, may feel compelled to prostrate to a Stupa without comprehending why and may even be surprised at their own actions.  This is the miraculous nature of Bodhicitta, the compassionate wisdom nature of enlightened mind. In whatever shape or form it exists in the world – as a Stupa or as an enlightened pure Teacher – it constantly communicates with each of us, with that very same nature that exists within.

Recently at the Migyur Dorje Stupa in MD, which is currently being cleaned and repaired, a turtle walked up to the Stupa and laid a clutch of  eggs right in front. Normally a turtle would not go to an open public space to lay her eggs, but this turtle was responding to the presence of the extraordinary, the Stupa, and making an offering. This occurred while Jetsunma was engaged in prayer in her home on the Temple land. At about the same time the stillness of the air was transformed by a rising wind, as if the elements too were acknowledging the presence of  the sacred.

Some days later, cleaning and other upkeep was being undertaken at Jetsunma’s Long Life Stupa. A circular rainbow appeared around the Stupa, which could be seen from every angle. Those present knew they were witnessing the miraculous, and responded with devotion and joy.

In his extraordinary and lyrical book, “Magic Dance, The Display of the Self-Nature of the Five Wisdom Dakinis”, HE Thinley Norbu Rinpoche, who sadly recently passed from this world, speaks about miracles in the chapter on Personal and General Phenomena. Contemplating it helps unravel the confusion about miracles and the presence of enlightened mind in our world.

He says, “Until we become enlightened, personal and general phenomena communicate with each other. Because of this communication it is possible for the personal spiritual qualities of enlightened beings to become conspicuous through their history and to remain like echoes in the general spiritual system even though the source of their pure self-visible phenomena is invisible to us until enlightenment. For individuals as well as for groups, when the contributing circumstance, the sublime history of enlightened beings, joins with the root circumstance, our secrete essence enlightenment seed, the seed can awaken and grow. By the joining of these two circumstances, our spiritual qualities increase.

When we remember great sublime beings such as Milarepa, Jesus, Buddha Shakyamuni, and Padmasambhava, we think they performed miracles intentionally. Of course, it is good to feel this way because by trying to connect with their pure secret essence we accumulate merit. But the perception of this intention is only our general group phenomena agreement. Actually these miracles only appeared when sublime beings used the pure undivided secret essence of the elements, which exists from the beginning, in order to make truth conspicuous……The gross and subtle elements are always connected to their secret essence. People who saw Jesus walking on the water had a good karmic link with him, because with their gross and subtle elements’ phenomena, they could connect to the pure secret essence of what they perceived as a miracle.”

Pure enlightened mind is ever-present, whether we recognize it with our ordinary minds or not. As Rinpoche says, “the primordial secret essence of the elements, which is never divided, always vast, inseparable pervading everywhere.”  Miracles occur when, through the kindness of a pure Teacher, we glimpse the blessings of the primordial secret essence and know it to be extraordinary. This encourages us to increase our faith and devotion towards that which is truly holy. As we acknowledge and pay homage to the extraordinary nature of this essence in the form it has appeared in our lives – through our Teacher or Stupa or sacred statue – we move towards a state of recognition and the awakened state of enlightened mind, or Bodhicitta.

There is a beautiful prayer we say, to invoke the qualities of Bodhicitta:

“May all beings know happiness and the causes of happiness,
May they be free from suffering and the causes of suffering,
May they never be separated from the sacred happiness which is sorrowless,
And free from the knots of hope and fear may they believe in the equanimity of all that lives”

Recognizing miraculous events reminds us that we are never separate from that sacred happiness. It is through our devotion and the immeasurable kindness of our Teacher that such opportunities arise. It is helpful to contemplate and rejoice in this so that we can better discriminate that which is sacred, and deepen in our recognition.

Blessings for All

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The following is from a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

As you know KPC held a fabulous Web-A-Thon in Sedona for the Palyul Stupa and it was a great success, we have money for the Stupa land. And we’re still going. Sedona wants the Stupa kept as well and has helped us a lot. The value of the Stupa is becoming familiar to all. Really, something so precious yet exotic in this land is something special! Like a wish fulfilling gem it heals all.

When a Stupa is present the power is enormous and benefits all who do pilgrimage there. Please do visit!

Also we are steadily working on the Migyur Dorje Stupa to do cosmetic repair. We hope you will also do pilgrimage here. They are powerful and enormous!

On temple grounds we also have an Enlightenment Stupa for all to make progress on our path. Blessings for all.

Bring the sick, the needy and they will be blessed. Just get here! Even my doggie Rickey is getting better! There was no hope and here he is!

Copyright © Jetsunma Ahkon Norbu Lhamo.  All rights reserved

People Coming Forth

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We received the following in an email from the Caretakers of the Sedona Stupa and wanted to share the great news:

Wow! What a night!! We had our art auction fundraiser and it was a smashing success. On many levels. We raised $8846. In 3 hours!

People coming forth

Last night was perfectly exemplified up by a woman we had never met before. She showed up in the morning to help hang the art. She was part of a team of four people who came to help. In a record-breaking 2 hours these pros hung 60 plus pieces of art—beautifully. The space looked stunning!

Then this gal comes back to the art auction, stays to the end, buys some art and says: “Thank you for taking such good care of our Stupa.” Turns out she visits the Stupa frequently and depends on it as a spiritual resource. This has become typical… people owning the Stupa!

We have shifted the conversation here from a financial problem the Buddhists are having to the Amitabha Stupa as a Sedona treasure that must be saved and we all want it to stay intact and available.

So here is how the evening came together and who made it happen:

The owner of Rene Restaurant in Tlaquepaque, Deborah Leatherwood, sponsored all the delicious food and wine, stayed through the event and loved it. Thank you Sam for introducing us to her 3 months ago!

Owner of Tlaquepaque gave us the ballroom free. Thank you Wendy Lippman!

65 artists, many well-known and many emerging artists donated every piece. And happily. Some even called up when they heard about the event and asked if they could still donate!

Linen company donated. There was a lot of linen! Wine distributers donated all the wine. Tara sang on the adjacent terrace and wowed people.

We had close to 100 people show up on a Sunday night, paying $30 and having a great time bidding on the art. It was a terrific community gathering.

Mayor Rob Adams and his wife were there. His wife Christie said that they don’t go out all that much unless it’s an event related to city business… but they wanted to support us and the Stupa.

Please, please get inspired to help make the webathon a huge success. Many of you have been to the Amitabah Stupa! You know how magnificent and powerful it is.


Jetsunma is extraordinary how she has so skillfully given us these hugely merit-generating projects. Last night every person who came made a connection to the Dharma. Their karmic fabric changed forever, their trajectory towards awakening now lined up.

That’s what’s going on and that’s the news for Sedona! 

Let’s rock the webathon!! E Ma Ho and may all beings make a connection to the Amitabha Stupa.

 

The Sedona Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park caretakers

Opportunity…

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The following is from a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

We don’t know what karmic causes make our current results. How difficult! Think, then, in full equations, apply general cures. Please be strong enough to accept responsibility for hurt you’ve caused and make restitution. It is weakness that prevents it.

Again, please join us in repairing the Stupas for all the benefit they bring! It is a rich experience to take advantage of, KPC and the Palyul Stupas!

And we need gardeners and help clearing land. Any offering helps.

Please bring canned goods and food you haven’t used. A day ago a nice lady came by and wiped us out to feed old folks. So we must set limits and ask that the actual people come in. The Temple itself is nourishing. Please be fair, and do share with all.

Copyright ©  Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo All rights reserved.

Come Experience the Blessings!

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The following is from a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

Beautiful flowers are going in at the Stupa and other places. Hurrah, I love it!

I’m finding some strategy to move forward after being stalked for four years. Instead of feeling constant pain I’m diving into KPC and Palyul. Work. The trick is to move forward no matter what. No time to fear or react. If we are accomplishing we are happy. Even practice is better if one is useful and making a difference in the world. I need that wind in my sails! I can’t do dead calm. The Stupa work saves us all.

We are learning even more about Stupas. For instance, once fully consecrated, it is considered perfect, up and running. One must never open the holy Stupa again. All flaws are then cosmetic and if deeply damaged it may be wrapped or “boxed” and is still completely potent.

I saw that same thing in Nepal; a fragrant syrup would come out sometimes. That was considered a miraculous sign. It smells like pie. We have that, it usually runs twice a year. Amazing. So we re-pair and it runs again. This occurs in our Peace Park, it is not sour, but Pure and sweet. I pray you will make pilgrimage and /or come and help! For the sake of the planet and all sentient beings (that is all f us, actually).

We’d love to see you at the Palyul Stupas, and will soon sponsor an animal/pet blessing, With treats and love.

Come soon, anytime. See you then.

OM AH MI DEWA HRI!

Copyright © Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo All rights reserved.

Blessings and Opportunities

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The following is from a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

I made it to the Stupa today, difficult for me, and was happy to see repair continues. Joy to my heart! Weeding and gardening too. Gratitude.

It’s hard to express how important the Stupa is. So many blessings, opportunity to gather merit, a righteous life.

We need clearing too. All invited to come help, please, help is needed. We are aging fast here, and some are too old to do outdoor labor. But there are buyers needed to gather supplies, painters, mowers, etc. Who wants to change their life doing good works? It works when you work it.

I went to the aviary too. Such joy watching macaws and other wild beauties fly! Riggs gives them a good life. We always need help there too.

Now my back feels pretty sore.

I kinda hoped I’d see workers there to thank them. Maybe next time. Maybe I’ll bring pizza and fruit and nuts next time. I always bring offerings. And happily.

I love you all but especially those who help others. Don’t forget the Occupy folks and the homeless. The system is hurting us all.

Copyright © Jetsunma Ahkon Norbu Lhamo.  All rights reserved

Stupas and Healing

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The following is from a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

Greetings all from Poolesville Md where it is steamy and humid. All is well at KPC we are getting ready to make repairs and maintain Stupas. We will of course go to Palyul Retreat but there is fund raising and prep to do. And land clearing, taming the beast across the Temple.

Seems we are happiest working together as a family. Anyone wishing to give or help should watch here for how to get together.

We are busy these days and there is plenty to do. Members need to keep informed and responsible, and helping new people. Any Buddhist wanna dance?

Many miracles happen by the Stupa, healing, help with prosperity, we have many stories and testimonials as well.

To live long and well one must have merit. A good way to make some is by giving and helping with building and repair, and practicing near the Stupa.

I went to the Stupa yesterday and saw the need for repair and upkeep. I made offerings, and today I feel better than I have. My body craves rest and my Gurus demand it, so I’m working on resting. (Joke, haha) and saw “Avatar” again, and remembered that we are doing the same to this planet (see director’s cut) and we need Stupas more than ever. Worldwide.

We need help with our Sedona Stupa too. Always.

Stupas are curative for the land and balancing as well. They will help.

Stand up!

See also: The Benefits of Building and Sponsoring a Stupa

 Incalculable Benefit of Stupas by Lama Zopa

 Blessings of a Stupa by Tulku Sang Ngag Rinpoche

Copyright © Jetsunma Ahkon Norbu Lhamo All rights reserved.

Coming Home

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The following is from a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

I am now at KPC Maryland, thought I’d stop by before the stalkers knew about it. But the minute I got here I knew I would stay.

The sangha that prepared for me made everything so lovely, so elegant, I felt welcomed home. So I will stay.

I went to make an offering and prayers. It was so lovely and peaceful I felt healed and safe. The power of the Stupas is such – no one can harm me here.

Stupas are Living Buddhas and have a blessing range of about 100 miles, radius. And more. So, the peace and beauty, the prayer flags, offerings are not just superficial. They are true power and compassionand wisdom. This is my seat of power and I’m back to what matters. Benefiting sentient beings. I won’t leave, I will build KPC stronger, and will teach, only leaving to travel or teach.

If I hear the stalker is going off again I will go to the Stupa and pray just as I did today. And feel healed some more. I have faith. I see again what I’ve accomplished.

And it is sacred and gorgeous, therefore my work for Palyul is truly an act of love and grace.

And I did it with the Guru’s blessing. I’m in love with my sangha, my monastics, and temple again. Mama Lama is back! And no one will scare me off again.

Copyright © Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo.  All rights reserved

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