Why is Lumbini Significant?
For 500 million devout Buddhists worldwide, Lumbini is where it all began.
More than 2500 years ago, as Queen Maya Devi journeyed to visit her family, she paused to rest in the delightful flower gardens of Lumbini. Emerging refreshed from her bath in a shimmering pond, she grasped the bough of a fig tree for support. At that instant, by the light of the full moon in May, Queen Maya Devi miraculously gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama—the prince who would become the 4th Buddha among the 1002 Buddhas of our Fortunate Age.
To this day, Lumbini, birthplace of Buddha Sakyamuni, still radiates the light of His wisdom and powerful blessings. Moreover, like a magical portal, it is the only place on Earth where a Buddha may enter our world; thus, each of the 1002 Buddhas will take their final birth there.
Situated in modern-day Nepal, where the Terai plains meet the mighty Himalayas, Lumbini is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The United Nations continues to generously support archaeological excavations that have unearthed foundations of numerous stupas, monasteries and the ancient temple of Queen Maya Devi. Even now, we can still behold the Puskarni Pool where the Queen bathed, a shady bodhi tree where the Bodhisattva’s feet first touched the earth, the majestic Ashokan Edict Pillar, and the remnants of Kapliavastu.
Thus, Lumbini is a marvelous treasury of momentous archeological ruins bordered by a spacious Monastic Zone of magnificent monasteries representing the fervent devotion of Buddhists from throughout the world.
A Quintessential Place of Pilgrimage & Prayer
Lumbini is one of the four major Buddhist holy places commemorating the most significant events in the Buddha’s life. Since pilgrimage is an affirmation of faith utterly essential to Buddhism, without Lumbini no other Buddhist pilgrimage sites would exist.
A vibrant symbol of peaceful coexistence attainable by all living beings, this tranquil oasis has attracted many millions of Buddhist pilgrims, drawing visitors from all nationalities and religious persuasions. Pilgrimage, prayers, meditation and practice here is a profound way to connect with the Buddha and his message. Why? Because the sublime power and uninterrupted blessings of such pilgrimage sites immensely accelerates the ripening of our fervent good wishes.
Pal Thubten Shedrub Ling Monastery - The Thousand Buddha Temple Envisioned
Before entering parinirvana in 1996, Kyabje Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, a renowned meditation master of the 20th century, disclosed to his eldest sons his final aspiration—he envisioned the founding of a great Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Lumbini. Since then, Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche and Tsikey Chokling Rinpoche have tirelessly endeavored to fulfill their late father’s last wish.
On December 15th, 2010, Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche, Tsikey Chokling Rinpoche, Kyabgön Phakchok Rinpoche and Tulku Urgyen Yangsi Rinpoche performed a special ground-breaking ceremony to consecrate the 1.2 hectares of land within the Lumbini Monastic Zone where Pal Thubten Shedrub Ling Monastery would be established. Construction commenced in January 2011 and rapid progress is being made. It is estimated that the monastery will be completed within three years.
A Place of Peace and Inspiration Rooted in Tradition
Built in the centuries-old traditional Tibetan Buddhist style, the Thousand Buddha Temple will be an entirely self-contained Buddhist community. The main shrine hall will be vast, easily accommodating a thousand worshipers—particularly the 1,000 monks and nuns performing the annual Monlam Chenmo, World Peace Prayer Ceremony as well as other pujas all throughout the year. From time to time, the enormous hall will even serve as the meeting place for important events, such as Buddhist as well as interfaith conferences.
Three 25-foot statues of the Buddhas of the Three Times, exquisitely rendered in copper and the finest gold-gilding, will grace the temple’s centermost shrine. The altar will be adorned by gilded statues of the 16 Arhats, and embellished by one-thousand 18-inch gold statues of Buddha Sakyamuni. Murals depicting the “12 Acts of the Buddha” will ornament the four walls. Thus, the Thousand Buddha Temple will provide a cool, quiet haven for pilgrims to rest in meditation and absorb the powerful blessings of Lord Buddha’s legacy.
Central to the second floor will be a spacious meditation hall, large classrooms and a private audience chamber adorned with a magnificent gilded statue of the Lord of Compassion—the thousand-armed Avalokitesvara—surrounded by statues of the seven other Maha-Bodhisattvas. Smaller chapels will accommodate images of other deities, such as Guru Padmasambhava, surrounded by the Lineage Masters, and the 21 manifestations of Tara.
The topmost floor will support an extensive library of thousands of rare and precious manuscripts of all the Buddhist philosophical schools preserved in Tibetan, Sanskrit, Pali and Chinese as well as contributions of texts in other languages. Comfortable guestrooms will be located nearby for visiting high Lamas.
From this upper floor, the entire complex will be majestically presided over by ethereal Vajradhara, flanked by Amitayus and Amitabha, in the form of gilded statues. Adorning the courtyard below will be a stupa and manicured floral gardens. Monastic living quarters, guestrooms for devotees, a spacious dining hall, and other facilities will also be included in the enclosed courtyard.
Why is the Thousand Buddha Temple being Established?
To establish a continuous wellspring of Buddhist studies and practice, to preserve the vast treasury of Buddhist doctrine, to enrich the Buddhist fellowship worldwide, to make an active contribution to everlasting global peace, to promote the enlightenment of all beings, and to provide an inspiring place of worship for yourself, your family, your friends and other visiting pilgrims.
Through the guidance and insight of Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche, the Thousand Buddha Temple will one day serve as a flourishing seat of monastic learning and practice, an immediate wellspring of benefit for all sentient beings, a source of merit, an inspiration for countless generations of devout pilgrims.
How Your Support Can Speed The Thousand Buddha Temple to Completion
Whenever we rejoice in and support any worthwhile project in a major pilgrimage place, we generate immense virtue that increases with time and strengthens our karmic link with Buddha Shakyamuni, with the birthplace of a thousand Tathagatas, and with the spiritual practices done in Lumbini in the past, present and even in the future. Such merit is an infinite source of healing and blessings, bestowing happiness and auspiciousness in this life and beyond.
Due to the basic goodness of your own Buddha Nature, it is already entirely within your power to help ensure the perpetuation of Lord Buddha’s precious teachings and commemorate his birthplace. With a contribution of any kind, you leave your own personal imprint on this most unique among all birthplaces, an imprint that even time cannot erase!
Many Ways to Connect with Lumbini & the Buddhas of this Age
Images of Buddha Shakyamuni inspire people, and help Buddhist practitioners create merit by bowing, making offerings, praying and so forth. Positive energy is generated which purifies the negativity in our world.
Just as its name indicates, the Thousand Buddha Temple will be filled with 1,000 exquisite golden statues of Buddha Sakyamuni. Through the generous contributions of our earliest benefactors, production of the statues was commissioned to a family of well-known statue-makers in Thailand.
Measuring 18 inches in height, each statue weighs 13 kilograms and is based on the historical style of the magnificent images adorning renowned Nalanda University in India. The mould for each statue was finely hand-carved based on an exquisite master image prepared by one of Nepal’s most famous artisans. The statues were then cast in bronze and shipped to Nepal where they will be fully gold-gilded according to Buddhist tradition.
To invest such a sacred place on hallowed ground with representations of enlightened wisdom and compassion, creates the circumstances for ultimate and everlasting benefit. If you would like to participate in adorning the Thousand Buddha Temple's main shrine, consider sponsoring one or more of the thousand golden Buddha statues!
Sponsorship may be made in the name of oneself, one’s family members, friends or simply to benefit all beings. For generations to come, these statues will inspire Buddhists to continue on the path that leads to happiness and liberation. Therefore, consider honoring a friend, family member or your entire family by donating a sublime statue in their name. This truly is a gift that keeps on giving.
In recognition of their generosity, all those who sponsor the complete production of one or more of the above-mentioned statues will receive a personal benefactor’s certificate in their name.
Donate one or more of the thousand Sakyamuni Buddha statues - Suggested Offering: $1400
After you donate: First click on Donate, then click on Mailing Address. Please type your mailing address so that we may quickly send you the honorary Lumbini Statue Project Certificate issued in your name or the name of your family or a friend.
Moreover, when the Thousand Buddha Temple is completed, the names of all our generous sponsors will be engraved upon a special bronze memorial plaque mounted prominently near the temple’s entrance. There it will remain, clearly on display for countless generations to come.
Donate Towards the Construction of Pal Thubten Shedrub Ling Monastery
If you would like to invest in the spiritual well-being of all sentient beings, now and for countless generations to come, by offering financial support, building materials, expertise of any kind or valuable suggestions, we welcome your inquiries, heartfelt prayers and invaluable participation.
May your generosity and good wishes speed the splendid Thousand Buddha Temple swiftly toward completion!
Financial contributions are cordially welcomed via this secure online Paypal link:
