Restoration of Swayambhu Stupa

We are happy to share with you some photos (view slideshow) from some recent events held at Swayambhu: A May 27^th National Peace and Unity Event and a three-day consecration Tibetan Puja, performed from the sky by His Holiness Trulshik Rinpoche. For the next couple of weeks we will continue with elaborate Vajrayana re-consecration pujas at Swayambhu performed by Newari priests from around the Kathmandu Valley.

Started in July 2008, the Renovation of Swayambhu was completed during the most auspicious month of Saga Dawa in May 2010. Involving many of the finest artisans in Nepal from Gold, Copper, Iron, and Wood traditions, the renovation involved the removal, repair and re-gilding of the vajra, mandala, nine shrines, harmika, spire, and cornice. To celebrate the completion of the work on the Stupa, a large peace and unity event was held on May 27^th, 2010 - Buddha Jayanti.

Hundreds of thousands of people were invited to light a lamp for peace and unity in Nepal and the world. Thousands came to Swayambhu to light a lamp while other lit a lamp and observed a moment of silence at home or in their communities around the country and world. The entire event was live telecast. That evening, 13,000+ bags of sand supporting candles were placed around the Stupa, down the stairways, and along the main circumambulatory path. At 7:30 pm at Swayambhu Stupa, an official lamp lighting ceremony began with the ringing of bells, followed by a minute of silence. Then an old man and young man and lit a large butter-lamp, symbolizing the coming together of different generations to achieve peace and unity. Once the lamp was lit, a chorus of famous singers from Nepal sang a song of peace and the Stupa was lit up from all four sides. For hours people circumambulated the Stupa lighting lamps and enjoying the beautiful scene of the Stupa, bright and shining, on top of the heart of the Kathmandu Valley.

Finding a Quiet Space

[NYTimes] AS dusk rolls in from the distant Himalayas, I nervously dart into the chaos of vehicles roaring up and down Boudha Tusal, my eyes fixed on the ornately carved stone gateway across the boulevard.

Dodging a swarm of buzzing mopeds, I duck past a taxi blasting subcontinental pop music and scoot across the path of a truck whose cab is painted with images of the long-haired Shiva and the elephant-headed Ganesh, Nepal’s ubiquitous Hindu gods. The haze of exhaust fumes rivals any Scottish mist. Traffic cops shout in Nepali as I jump onto the curb and speed between the two stone snow lions guarding the tall arch.

Suddenly, as if I have entered another world, the toxic fog dissipates and gives way to the sweet odor of burning juniper incense. Vanished, too, are Shiva, Ganesh and their Hindu brethren. Instead, the enormous disembodied eyes of the avatar of a different faith — Shakyamuni, better known as the Buddha, peer down from a soaring multitiered stupa, or temple. The Nepali pop songs fade, replaced by chanting .

“Om mani padme hum,” comes the ancient six-syllable refrain, repeated by groups of Tibetan monks in oxblood robes. “Hail to the jewel in the lotus.” (read full article)