> [!NOTE]+ Meta > Author:: [[Kevin Murray]] > Reference:: https://garlandmag.com/article/the-great-stupa-of-compassion/ > Date:: 2024 > Tags:: #warp #Australia > WeftLinks:: [[Spiritual value of craft]] > Claim:: [[Claim - Craft plays an important role in worship]] > [!SUMMARY] Summary > An epic Buddhist structure in an Australian forest brings together many crafts. ### Highlights > This modern stupa is still in the process of construction, so we can witness the crafts involved in its construction. The Kalachakra Mandala is a circular illuminated multilayer relief for the ceiling. Eventually, it will cover the 20 x 20m ceiling with 100 different pieces. Twelve artists from Bendigo, Castlemaine, Kyneton and Melbourne have volunteered their time to paint the mandala. They are ably assisted by Garrey and Krissy Foulkes, who are based in Queensland and have a long history of thang’ka painting. The mandala is now 60% complete, with installation due in August 2025, followed by initiation in September 2025.  Guy Lawson, one of the volunteers, notes, “It frees the mind… Time vanishes. You just get absolutely transfixed by the whole process.” > > The most precious statue in the stupa is the Jade Buddha, carved from a rare jade boulder known as “Polar Pride,” discovered in Canada in 2000 and worth $1 million. This stone promised to realise Rinpoche’s vision of a Buddha that would “… illuminate the world and bring inconceivable peace and happiness and help prevent the destruction that is happening so much in the world, including war.” This dream was finally realised under the supervision of Ian Green. Master carvers in Thailand created the statue, which is 2.7 metres high and weighs four tons. Mementos were carved from offcuts to raise funds. It was formally consecrated by the Dalai Lama in 2009 and now sits on an alabaster throne. > > Many of the other features were crafted in Southeast Asia. The 2.5-metre-tall granite statue of Ksitigarbha was carved in Vietnam and represents the Earth Store Bodhisattva, who guides hell-beings to enlightenment. The 1,000-armed Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of compassion, has yet to be fully decorated with gold leaf by volunteers from Taiwan. There are many other features in Peace Park that represent other religions. > > The Kalachakra Mandala is a circular illuminated multilayer relief for the ceiling. Eventually, it will cover the 20 x 20m ceiling with 100 different pieces. Twelve artists from Bendigo, Castlemaine, Kyneton and Melbourne have volunteered their time to paint the mandala.