Launch of the Fundraising Campaign - 14.07.02

An account of the launch of the fundraising campaign by Will Abram, edited by Kimball Cuddihy. Photos by Peter Holderness and Anthony Hall.

On the 14th July De-Tong Ling Retreat Centre launched its campaign to build a thirteen metre Enlightenment Stupa on Kangaroo Island, attended by more than 130 people. The atmosphere was festive, with a special, almost tangible feeling of joy and happiness in the air.

There were many displays to look at. The centrepiece was a unique 2.5 x 1.8 metre painting of Shakyamuni Buddha in a Kangaroo Island bush setting, specially lit and framed by samples of actual flora specially cut and bought over from the retreat land. It brought home the purpose of De-Tong Ling Retreat Centre; to not only build a powerful symbol of Enlightenment such as the stupa, but to also provide the retreat conditions to actually help produce Awakened Beings.

There were photographic displays focusing on the Stupa, the retreat centre itself, the Eco-Lodge, and there were ten copies of BUDDHIST STUPAS IN ASIA: the Shape of Perfection specially arranged for browsing.

Kangaroo Island is famed for its produce and there was much there for the sampling. Local cheese makers, Farmhouse Cheeses, took the time to come to the event and share their Grand Champion Brie. They also cooked some Haloumi sheep's milk cheese from another producer, Island Pure - an absolute delicacy. Local wines were available for tasting as were Kangaroo Island olive oil and honey. Homemade dips, fruit punch and delicious spiced chai tea from Buddha's Bowl's secret recipe completed the offerings to those sharing the occasion.

The real highlight though, was the explanation by Venerable Khensur Rinpoche - the most senior Tibetan monk in Australia, and guest of honour at the launch - of the profound meaning and symbolism of Stupas. Rinpoche spoke for half an hour, holding a small Stupa in his hand. He moved from the base upwards as he taught about the various levels of attainment which relate to each part of a stupa. Teachings from Rinpoche are very rare these days and we were so fortunate to have this one from him on such an auspicious day.

Following Rinpoche, Buddha House director Gabe Edwards spoke on the long-standing connection between Buddha House and De-Tong Ling and also about the umbrella organisation the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), of which both centres are members. She made mention of the great joy that Buddha House had in becoming the first Benefactor, offering a $5000 donation.

De-Tong Ling director Kimball Cuddihy followed her to speak about the history of De-Tong Ling, and outlined the key advice given to him by Lama Zopa Rinpoche (the spiritual director of FPMT) on how to develop the retreat centre. Lama Zopa advised him that the retreat centre should directly benefit the general public as well as those carrying out retreats; and that once the Stupa was built then developing the rest of the Retreat Centre would come about easily. Kimball also read out a recent message from Lama Zopa that it would be very good to get the Stupa built quickly.

The event was compered by local Adelaide and Buddhist identity, Patrick Moran, and after the speaking was concluded many people stayed on to absorb the displays - and to find out the winners of the raffle. The four prizes were three bottles of Kangaroo Island Virgin Olive Oil, kindly donated by Kangaroo Island Olive Oil Company. It proved an excellent finishing note to a resoundingly successful event. Organisers Kimball Cuddihy and Will Abram said that the host of volunteers who gave their time, energy, and creativity were "legends", and that they felt particularly grateful for their support.