Update: June 2007

Enlightenment Stupa construction

In January 2007 the first block of the actual stupa was laid (see photo 1). A ceremony was first carried out, according to Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s instructions (photo 2). Also according to his instructions, over 10,000 mantras (of Exalted, Completely Pure, Stainless Light) were recited by many friends of the stupa before any work commenced. The safety railing on the ramp up to the stupa was erected (photo 3) and then the structural steel frame was erected – bolted together and then also welded in situ (photo 4). Then the laying of Hebel blocks (aerated concrete) commenced in earnest (photos 5, 6,7).

Meanwhile the landscaping work around the stupa continued. A graded path to enable wheelchair access to ground level was completed. This involved building up a retaining wall, spreading loads of sieved clay/gravel mix, and meticulously finishing the surface to create a smooth, correct gradient (photos 8,9). Tree guards were made and placed to help the revegetation of the stupa surrounds. The trees and shrubs planted (native to this area of Kangaroo Island) were thriving, despite one of the worst droughts in southern Australia. The work retreat ran for the first two weeks of January, and was very successful.

On March 24th the throne section of the stupa was filled and sealed with concrete. This involved some intense block laying beforehand, and some last-minute work to ensure there was plenty of material to fill all of the spaces around the objects which were to fill the throne.

A hundred new, donated, pillow cases were filled with the following mixture: mulched eucalyptus, lavender, rosemary and bay leaves, mixed with clean sawdust, and sprinkled with essential oils.

Seven monks from Sera-me Monastery in South India, Geshe Pema Tsering (resident teacher at Buddha House, who oversaw proceedings), and two western nuns, along with 30 other lay people, took part in a long ceremony blessing the throne contents, which were then carried by all and sundry up to the throne and showered into the throne recess.

It was a fantastic day, and very successful. The throne space filled was over 5 cubic metres and the collecting of the contents occurred over two years. The nine wealth vases, which went into the base of the throne, had been filled and blessed in a separate, special ceremony a year before. The vases themselves had been made by a Kangaroo Island potter, who joyously gave of her time and expertise (see photos 10-16) to get the flavour of this wonderful day).

In April a one-week work retreat was held. A small crew laid more Hebel blocks, completing the first two steps above the throne (photos 17,18), while others worked on landscaping (another path – see photo 19) and revegetation (photo 20). The planting efforts of the last two years are now really beginning to take hold, despite a constant battle with wallabies and possums.

Building Retreat Houses

Parallel to the work on the stupa in January and April, other crews worked on Retreat House 4, hanging doors, preparing bathrooms, putting in windows, ceilings and so on (see photo 21). The plan is to have the retreat house operational by the end of this year.
In April the foundations of Retreat House No. 5 were laid. After the trenches were dug (see photo 23) the heavens opened, with around 130mm over a couple of days. Nonetheless, during a break in the weather, the concrete was successfully poured.

Future Plans

Building activity now stops, as per usual, for the winter. Our major task now is to pay for the ghorkim (ornate surround of the Buddha recess in the vase), rings (the spire surmounting the vase), flower garland (this is on both sides of the spire) and above the spire, the umbrella, sun and moon (see photo 24) for a picture of a stupa showing these parts). These have been ordered from some of the best craftsmen in Nepal. They had to be ordered a year in advance, and are due to be completed in January 2008. They will be crafted from copper, and the ghorkim and umbrella, sun and moon will be partially gilded.

The cost of this work from Nepal is $35,000 (Aust), plus freight and import duty. We have already raised $22,000 (June 2007), but we need to raise the remaining $15,000 by the end of this year. If you would like to help you can donate using the secure section of this web site, or simply contact us at info[ at ]detongling.org