The Benefits of Building Stupas
THE MERIT OF PRAYING, OFFERING AND GOING AROUND A STUPA
In October 10, 1981, when the Bodhi Stupa was build, Guru Lau made the following oral disclosure:
"The Buddhist Stupa - in Sanskirt called 'stupa', appeared after the mahaparinirvana of Buddha Sakyamuni, it was build as the place to keep the relics of nirmanakaya remains, that it must be place in high places above all men, as the sublime merit field of this world, due to possessing inconceivable power of primordial blessing, the 8 kings received their share of the relics, they bring them back to their own country, and all of them build tall stupa (to keep the relics), as object of offerings.
The relics refer to the bone of holy beings, the so called nirmanakaya relics is the crystal-like object remains of great practitioners after they were cremented.
There are various types of stupa, those build by the king Ayi among to 84,000, which is not a small number. However, in our country except the famous mountain (Wu Thai Sang), only the north has a white stupa, today in Thainang Vajrayana Mountain's Bodhi Stupa, by comparation, can be accounted as monument.
In Tibetan language, the stupa is called by the meaning of 'Dharma Possessor', the Tibetan called it the abode of Buddha status, this stupa when it was build, all the worldly jewel ornaments (7 treasures and 8 jewels) and world-transcending dharma jewels - all types of Buddhadharma suttas, dharanis and relics of mahasiddhas, nectar pills, longevity pills and so forth, due to a lot of these being installed, it is named as such. Both Indian and Tibetan build according to this, the base level symbolize the 37 items as support of the path (the 4 immeasurables, the 4 mindfulnesses, the 4 right assertions, the 4 miraculous feet, the 5 roots, 5 powers, the 7 branch awarenesses, and the 8 rightfold paths), these are the 6 paramitas, the 4 foundations and other bodhisattva practices.
The merit of building of Buddhist stupas and temples is for ornamenting the Buddha-lands, in order to liberate sentient beings."
According to (dharmaraja Dudjom Rinpoche's translator) Senfan Rinpoche once revealed:"Before Tibet is changing its color, I did advise the Dalai Lama, that he should invite dharmaraja Dudjom Rinpoche to build, renovate one stupa, and to empower it, in order to prevent disasters. But unfortunately at that time they couldn't do it in time, this is highly regrettable".
Guru Lau advised that:"From now on all who wish to practice in retreat: Prior to entering a retreat, one should cycle around the stupa by right (counter-clockwise direction) 3 times, and silently make prayer, then one can enter the retreat and pay homage before practice. Every morning before dawn, one should do cleansing, then with respect one should walk out of the reterat door, gazing with 2 eyes straight at the Buddhist stupa and cycle to the right for 3 times, or 7 times, silently prayed and then going back by bowing one's head".
Dudjom Rinpoche once said:"If there is someone who pay homage and make offering and cycle this stupa, every wishes that he made, there will be non that couldn't be fulfilled. If there's someone who die near this place, their spirits will be bound here, to always accompany this stupa at its side; As such all the people who come later, will accordingly have peace and happiness, as it is widely been spoken in sutras."
Guru Rinpoche once said:"All Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of the past, present and future, after their changeless state dissolved within this container of pure heart, this great stupa will become the wish-fulfilling jewel, it is capable of effortlessly grant all wishes, causing all wishes to fulfill. If there is any sentient being with a pure heart, in front of this stupa, should he prostrates, cycles around, venerates, the benefits and privileges he receives will be inconceivable, and immeasurable, even all the Buddhas of the 3 times will have difficulty in describing it."
The place where the stupa is, will be like a wish-fulfilling jewel which perfects all the wishes of sentient beings. Not only this, it also possessed '3 levels of accomplishment' which is inconceivable. This first is the fruit of offering and prayer. The second is the fruit of the perfection of 100,000 merits. From this to open the infinite sounds of realization - the hundred thousand kalpas of teachings of all the Buddhas of 3 times. The third is the merit of dharmakaya which is total transcendence of name, form and realms.
According to the 'Precious Scriptural Mudra Dharani Sutra' translated by Bukung Tripitaka, with the paragraph below, one can see the auspicious merit of cycling around the stupa:
'If there is a man, in order to plant the root of virtue, according to his ability he builds a stupa, whether with earth, or brick, according to his ability, as large as 'omlo' with the height of about 4 fingers, write with mantras and place them inside. By holding fragrance flowers, prostrate and make offerings, with the power of mantra and faith, from the small stupa, there will emanates great light cloud of fragrance pervading the dharmadahtu, within the scene of radiance and glory is wide performance of Buddhas' activities. If there is a man who prays for merit, by approaching the place of the stupa, with a flower and an incense, he prostrates and makes offering, by cycling around it to the right; by such merit, the glorious status of ministership will come without his asking. His lifespan and prosperity will be increase by themselves without praying. All enemies, robbers and thieves, will loose without their seeking. All diseases and ill omens will freed by themselves without dispelling. Loyal sons and daughters will be born by themselves without prayers. All one wishes, according to one's mind they will be satiated. If there are birds such as 'chey', 'chiew', 'herd', or insects such as mosquito, ants, 'lu' and so forth, who come temporarily under the shadow of the stupa, or stepping on the grass of the field, all hindrance of ignorance will be broken, they will realize and awaken from the darkness of ignorance, suddenly they will enter the house of Buddha to take the wealth of dharma. How much more to all men, whether they saw the shape of the stupa, or hear its resounding (echo), or hear its name, or being under its shadow, all their karmic hindrances will be destroyed, all their wishes will be accorded. In this lives, they will have peace and stability, in future lives they will be born in the blissful land."
Sarvamangalam.
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