Difference between revisions of "Zuni Mountain Stupa"
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Here in southern Alabama, it's been pouring buckets all day, pools of [[water]] swarming in the roads and dark clouds swathing the sky. However, in the site of today's virtual visit, the early May temperatures are crisp, bright blue, sunny Spring days. | Here in southern Alabama, it's been pouring buckets all day, pools of [[water]] swarming in the roads and dark clouds swathing the sky. However, in the site of today's virtual visit, the early May temperatures are crisp, bright blue, sunny Spring days. | ||
| − | Grants, New Mexico is where the next trek takes us. In the Northwestern quadrant of this [[Southwest]] state, a [[stupa]] sits | + | Grants, [[New Mexico]] is where the next trek takes us. In the Northwestern quadrant of this [[Southwest]] [[state]], a [[stupa]] sits. |
| − | The act of building with the intent of a structure to interact with the {{Wiki|matrix}} of [[spiritual]] and locational energies is certainly not unique to [[Tibetan Buddhism]]. I am reminded of a story I [[heard]] during my early prodding into the concepts of [[Feng Shui]], an [[art]] and practice which is carefully considered not only in home design and layout in certain regions of the [[world]], but also actual planning of new and prominent architecture. | + | A [[stupa]] with the expressed {{Wiki|purpose}} of "subduing negative forces." The style of the [[stupa]] itself, [[Duddul Chodten]], translates and is dedicated to this expressed {{Wiki|purpose}}. |
| + | |||
| + | The act of building with the intent of a {{Wiki|structure}} to interact with the {{Wiki|matrix}} of [[spiritual]] and locational energies is certainly not unique to [[Tibetan Buddhism]]. I am reminded of a story I [[heard]] during my early prodding into the [[Wikipedia:concept|concepts]] of [[Feng Shui]], an [[art]] and practice which is carefully considered not only in home design and layout in certain regions of the [[world]], but also actual planning of new and prominent [[architecture]]. | ||
[[File:Zuni_Mountain_Stupa-2.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | [[File:Zuni_Mountain_Stupa-2.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | ||
| − | I don't recall all the details, but as this particular example goes, a major office building was slated to be built in an urban area in [[China]]. One particular obstacle [[perceived]] was the positioning of the building near a hilly area that was known to be the residence of a particular [[dragon]] [[spirit]]. Constructing a many leveled office building in this particular location would, according to certain experts, obstruct the [[path]] of the [[dragon]], thereby bringing ill [[energy]] to the levels of the building that previously was it's [[path]] of movement. | + | I don't recall all the details, but as this particular example goes, a major office building was slated to be built in an urban area in [[China]]. One particular [[obstacle]] [[perceived]] was the positioning of the building near a hilly area that was known to be the residence of a particular [[dragon]] [[spirit]]. |
| + | |||
| + | Constructing a many leveled office building in this particular location would, according to certain experts, obstruct the [[path]] of the [[dragon]], thereby bringing ill [[energy]] to the levels of the building that previously was it's [[path]] of {{Wiki|movement}}. | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | The {{Wiki|solution}}: allow for a large central hole in the middle of the building to pave the [[dragon]] spirit's [[path]]. Building and layout with regards to [[harmony]] with the {{Wiki|environment}} takes on an entirely new level when such notions are brought to the plan. | ||
| − | + | And [[harmony]], in this [[sense]], implies not only ushering forth 'good [[energy]],' but a keen [[awareness]] of the flow of local [[elements]] and a will and ability to confront and compromise with aspects of the landscape or general {{Wiki|atmosphere}} that, if ignored, could prove to be disruptive. | |
[[File:ZuniCanyonStupa.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | [[File:ZuniCanyonStupa.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | ||
| − | Zuni Mountain | + | [[Zuni Mountain Stupa]] was, as far as I can tell, not [[constructed]] with the intent to allay or pacify any local land [[deities]] in this particular region of [[New Mexico]]. Yet it is the first [[stupa]] I have read about whose specific {{Wiki|purpose}} involved dispelling "negative forces." Certainly, many of the other [[stupas]] across the {{Wiki|globe}}, intended to be a monument and circumambulation point for [[enlightenment]], have as their structural and [[spiritual]] intent, the very same {{Wiki|purpose}}. |
| + | |||
| + | The act of '[[enlightenment]]' itself involves a [[dissolution]] of [[delusion]], negative [[thought]] and [[energy]]- all of which obstruct and dissuade one from any goals of [[enlightenment]], regardless of [[spiritual]] {{Wiki|persuasion}}. | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Bhakha Tulku Rinpoche]] is the [[spiritual]] director for the [[Zuni Mountain Stupa]], which was [[consecrated]] only months ago. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Also known as [[Ösel Khandro Duwi Ling]]- The [[Gathering]] Place of the [[Dakinis]], [[Zuni Mountain Stupa]] is a project in the wings of the [[Vairotsana]] Foundation, of which [[Bhakha Tulku Rinpoche]] is a founder. | ||
| − | |||
| − | Vairotsana Foundation's website states: | + | [[Vairotsana]] Foundation's website states: |
| − | "We are building this [[stupa]] in the Zuni Mountains at a [[time]] when extreme negative [[conditions]] proliferate on our planet in [[order]] to help remove those obstacles and to generate the [[blessings]] of [[healing]], [[peace]], and [[enlightenment]] for all [[beings]], in every [[direction]], in every way." | + | "We are building this [[stupa]] in the Zuni [[Mountains]] at a [[time]] when extreme negative [[conditions]] {{Wiki|proliferate}} on our {{Wiki|planet}} in [[order]] to help remove those [[obstacles]] and to generate the [[blessings]] of [[healing]], [[peace]], and [[enlightenment]] for all [[beings]], in every [[direction]], in every way." |
| − | In my own project of tracking these different [[Tibetan Buddhist]] architectural developments in the USA, it is clearer to me more than ever before that we all subscribe to different means of responding to current societal and {{Wiki|planetary}} [[conditions]]. If you have read this far along, perhaps you as well see the importance and role that various architectures play in the [[human]] [[effort]] of confronting and resolving certain dynamics at play. [[Prayer]] is certainly among the ways. And the role of the [[stupa]] offers exactly that- active [[prayer]] space. | + | In my [[own]] project of tracking these different [[Tibetan Buddhist]] architectural developments in the {{Wiki|USA}}, it is clearer to me more than ever before that we all subscribe to different means of responding to current societal and {{Wiki|planetary}} [[conditions]]. If you have read this far along, perhaps you as well see the importance and role that various architectures play in the [[human]] [[effort]] of confronting and resolving certain dynamics at play. [[Prayer]] is certainly among the ways. And the role of the [[stupa]] offers exactly that- active [[prayer]] [[space]]. |
Posted by Annika Lundkvist at 5:24 PM | Posted by Annika Lundkvist at 5:24 PM | ||
Latest revision as of 03:50, 30 October 2015
Here in southern Alabama, it's been pouring buckets all day, pools of water swarming in the roads and dark clouds swathing the sky. However, in the site of today's virtual visit, the early May temperatures are crisp, bright blue, sunny Spring days.
Grants, New Mexico is where the next trek takes us. In the Northwestern quadrant of this Southwest state, a stupa sits.
A stupa with the expressed purpose of "subduing negative forces." The style of the stupa itself, Duddul Chodten, translates and is dedicated to this expressed purpose.
The act of building with the intent of a structure to interact with the matrix of spiritual and locational energies is certainly not unique to Tibetan Buddhism. I am reminded of a story I heard during my early prodding into the concepts of Feng Shui, an art and practice which is carefully considered not only in home design and layout in certain regions of the world, but also actual planning of new and prominent architecture.
I don't recall all the details, but as this particular example goes, a major office building was slated to be built in an urban area in China. One particular obstacle perceived was the positioning of the building near a hilly area that was known to be the residence of a particular dragon spirit.
Constructing a many leveled office building in this particular location would, according to certain experts, obstruct the path of the dragon, thereby bringing ill energy to the levels of the building that previously was it's path of movement.
The solution: allow for a large central hole in the middle of the building to pave the dragon spirit's path. Building and layout with regards to harmony with the environment takes on an entirely new level when such notions are brought to the plan.
And harmony, in this sense, implies not only ushering forth 'good energy,' but a keen awareness of the flow of local elements and a will and ability to confront and compromise with aspects of the landscape or general atmosphere that, if ignored, could prove to be disruptive.
Zuni Mountain Stupa was, as far as I can tell, not constructed with the intent to allay or pacify any local land deities in this particular region of New Mexico. Yet it is the first stupa I have read about whose specific purpose involved dispelling "negative forces." Certainly, many of the other stupas across the globe, intended to be a monument and circumambulation point for enlightenment, have as their structural and spiritual intent, the very same purpose.
The act of 'enlightenment' itself involves a dissolution of delusion, negative thought and energy- all of which obstruct and dissuade one from any goals of enlightenment, regardless of spiritual persuasion.
Bhakha Tulku Rinpoche is the spiritual director for the Zuni Mountain Stupa, which was consecrated only months ago.
Also known as Ösel Khandro Duwi Ling- The Gathering Place of the Dakinis, Zuni Mountain Stupa is a project in the wings of the Vairotsana Foundation, of which Bhakha Tulku Rinpoche is a founder.
Vairotsana Foundation's website states:
"We are building this stupa in the Zuni Mountains at a time when extreme negative conditions proliferate on our planet in order to help remove those obstacles and to generate the blessings of healing, peace, and enlightenment for all beings, in every direction, in every way."
In my own project of tracking these different Tibetan Buddhist architectural developments in the USA, it is clearer to me more than ever before that we all subscribe to different means of responding to current societal and planetary conditions. If you have read this far along, perhaps you as well see the importance and role that various architectures play in the human effort of confronting and resolving certain dynamics at play. Prayer is certainly among the ways. And the role of the stupa offers exactly that- active prayer space.
Posted by Annika Lundkvist at 5:24 PM
