Great Stupa Construction Plan

Great Stupa Construction Plan

Compiled and presented by Mahasanti Karma Tharchin

OUTLINE OF PROPOSAL

Factors of Dependent Arising

1. The gathering of common pure samaya to perfect the wishes of mantrayana yogins.

2. The gathering of uncommon factors of blessing of holy ones' compassion to propagate the Nyingmapa teachings, to gradually reveal the sublime state of Tibetan Buddhism in the present age.

The Primal Objective

1. The gathering of the power of vast aspirations, and mental efforts which accumulate gradually, by which possess ability to pacify conflicts, cultivating the virtuous merits of sentient beings, as such to empower the unstained wisdom's stupa has become the first priority of objective.

2. The gradually removal of obstacles, the gathering of auspicious circumstances, the strict preparation, the construction and renovation projects, the complex branches, the careful monitoring, is for the sake of this degeneration time symbolizing the 5 contaminated and evil time near the ending of dharma, to build an immaculate, sublime, inconceivable source of blessing to fulfill all prayer wishes of sentient beings' virtuous merits.

Preliminary Tasks

1. The gathering and puchasing of precious dharma treasures that possessed blessing, including the body, speech and mind (of Buddhas) in various nectar pills, dharmarajas' robes, relics, and the various dharma object remains of mahasiddhas: the drum, bell, dorje (skt. vajra), offering containers, kapala (skull cup), vajra dagger (tib. phurba), hand drum, bone flute, and so forth. All these sublime objects which possessed great blessing are difficult to obtain, but despite the difficulties one should stress the benefits of putting them in the stupa to urge those who possessed them to sell.

2. The levels of the stupa in which to place the dharma treasures must be in accord with precise directions, all technical aspects must be carefully follow with precision, only then will be in accord with the blessing of the stupa. According to Dubjom Rinpoche's consort:"The stupa cannot contain ordinary men's bone dust, only from holy persons like mahasiddhas are qualified to be placed there to receive prayers, today's world have very little lamas know how to build the correct stupa, and to direct all the installation of the internal levels; at the same time the construction of stupa is a very strict matter, every items must be correct and responsive, otherwise it will bring negative karma and misfortune to those who build the stupa."

3. Mahasanti Karma Tharchin will be responsible in monitoring and advising matters like jewels, grains, garments, medicinal substances, ritual weapons, mandala, dharanis (mantras), the central channel and so forth, we are currently seeking hundreds type of offering objects, including the specifications with regards to quality, sizes, quantities, and others.

The Search and Gathering of Installation Dharma Objects

The instructed precious items, include:

1. Those with ability to fulfill the virtuous karma of sentient beings, the blessing substances of medicines: Various types (at least 5 kinds) of grains of dozens of kilogram. Various jewels (gold, silver, crystal, pearl, precious stones, jade, and so forth), 5 color-garments, silks, golden offering cups, silver bowl, and various types of medicinal herbs and others.

2. The blessed objects that subdue conflicts and wars: ritual weapons like knife, cleaver, spear, khatanga, sword, and so forth.

3. The ojects to empower wisdom: various Nyingmapa tantras (Mahasantiyoga Tantra Scriptures, Manjushri True Name Suttas, The Great Magical Net Tantra, Ancient Tibetan Buddhism Historical Record, and others), various mantras (100 syllables, Guru Padmasambhava, Longevity, Manis, Sakyamuni, Deities of Wealth, and so forth) of yidams and dakinis, and of various classes of mandalas.

4. The 5 precious vases symbolizing the 5 sugatas, to ensure the stability of the foundation, and to provide merit, wisdom and sustenance to those who make wishes.

5. All types of installation items, spices: include 'kuku', 'Tibet Red Flowers', combined spice substance of 3 types of medicinal herbs, 'Channo' pill, dried branch and leaves of 'Pa' tree, Sindura incense powder and so forth.

6. Various practicing ritual objects: Phurba dagger, kapala, precious vase, drum and so forth.

All collected items for installation should be placed inside a bag made of yellow garment, on top of which should be tied with a yellow rope, and painted with 'fire paint', and sealed. With regards to various kinds of jewels, precious stones, crystals, gold, silver, jade and so forth should be cleanse by the water of 'Tibet Red Flowers', wipe dried, added with spices and put into the bag and sealed. With regards to mantras, mandalas, tangkhas (Buddha images) and so forth should be wipe cleaned with the water of 'Tibet Red Flower'.

The Workers and Duties

1. All workers should adhere to vegetarian diet. They will be required to paint up to ten types of mandala with a quantities of 10,000 each, the mantras' syllables drawing required approximately one week to complete with an estimated number of 30-40 workers.

2. The next thing is to roll the mantric syllables into mantra wheel (chakra), some smaller ones with shorter mantras will have 25 pieces rolled as a single piece. Within each one is attached with a piece of incense at the place with the first of the mantric syllables, they are sticked together with gum, accordingly they are rolled into a coil shape and sealed with gum, the outer is covered with yellow garment written with mantric syllables.

3. The longer ones measured up to 1 meter, accordingly they are attached to the length of 7 pieces, which is closed to 10 meters long, every 5 pieces are rolled as a single piece, due to the length which is too long, it will be difficult to roll tight, especially when it is required to totally roll it tight without leaving any loose spaces as according to the requirement, as such it is necessary to roll it tight with hands up to 20 minutes in order to gradually tighten it, so normally it would takes up to 2 months to roll and tighten all, and covered them up.

The Preparation of Wood for Making of Central Channel

1. With regard to the top of the stupa should be install a central channel (represent the Mount Meru), the length is measured from the stupa's precious vase (bowl) up to the level of Buddha eyes and beyond, the top quality material should be sindura wood, but can also use the trunk of fruit tree. Prior to cutting the tree trunk, the trunk should be mark with an indicator that point to the eastern direction in order to ensure that the central channel's eastern direction matched the stupa's eastern direction. The processes of treating the trunk include the making of an over 4 meters long, and 24 cm wide bottom, with a top of 12 cm wide (sharp tip of the central channel).

2. At the same time, all other portion of the tree trunk which can be use should be mark with an eastern direction indicator. They shall be made into small 'central channel', and painted by lamas according to the fix eastern direction, a drawing of a stupa, with the 4 corners (of the trunk) written with the syllables that represent the crown, throat, heart, navel and secret chakras, in the middle is wriiten with all types of mantra, in the bottom is drawn with a crossed vajra.

The Preparation of Central Channel

1. The length of the central channel is about ten feet, the upper, lower and 4 direction at the top is a sharp tip, the bottom is 8 feet at each side, the top is 4 feet, the whole body of the central channel is painted red as foundation, with yellow paint as finishing.

2. Upon the body of the central channel is wriiten with red color mantric syllables: the eastern direction on the sharp tip is written with an upside down 'ham', to symbolize the body's crown chakra, the bottom is drawn with a crossed vajra, at every directions are written with the syllables (om, ah, hum, sva, ha) to represent the crown, throat, heart, navel, and secret chakra, within each of the 5 chakras is written with various mantras and sutras.

The Installation of Central Channel

1. At the central channel's eastern direction at the crown chakra (as looking from the top down) place is drilled with a small hole to install various dharma treasures such as relices of mahasiddhas and lamas, nectar pills, dzadza and all of their covers are wriiten with mantric syllables.

2. At the central area of the heart chakra, is rolled with 99 pieces of mantras and sutras at the 4 directions. At the bottom area of the cross vajra's navel is installed with 99 pieces of mantras and sutras (rolled as mantra wheel).

3. At the central channel's soutern direction at the right side is bound with a kusha grass, representing the right channel. At the north of left side is bound with durva grass, representing the left channel. Then at the eastern direction as seeing from below is bound with 2 types of mantra wheel, at the navel chakra is bound with 21 mantra wheels, at the throat chakra as seen from below, at the 4 corners are bound with 40 or more mantra wheels with 2 levels. At the crown chakra at the place of installation of dharma treasure as seen from below is surrounded with 50-60 or more mantra wheels, all of them have their own meaning of symbolic blessing.

The Making of Zhazha

1. The stupa apart from installing the previously mentioned dharma treasures, it is necessary to make Zhazha and install them inside, Zhazha refers to the small Buddha statues or small stupas made of earth.

2. The making of Zhazha includes using clean earth and sinking them in water for a few days, after it become soften, a portion of the earth is taken out and the hard portion is striked causing the hard and soft portion to mix together, if it is too hard, the Zhazha after it was made will have cracks, if too soft it will be difficult to process. After that it will be added with nectars and spices (made of 3 types of medicinal herbs), again it is being striked, causing the nectars and other substances to mix within, by this the material preparatory duty is completed.

3. To make the stupa's shape of the Zhazha, first the earth is made into many rounded and trangular shapes, and in the mould is wipe with a layer of oil, then the sharp tip of the earth is pointed and placed inside the mould, it is pressed with the mould, turning upside down on a working wood, it is strike with strength of the palm, so that all the moulds are filled with earth, after that the left over of the earth outside the mould is finished with fingers, causing the earth to trust inward slightly, then the 3 rice which represent the body, speech and mind is place there and covered with earth, and the job is finished, the earth stupa can be taken out.

4. The Zhazha making procedure of Guru Rinpoche is slightly different, first one prepared the earth and rolled it into a long shape, with wood it is strike into a flat shape, then the mould which has been wipe with a thin layer of oil is filled with this earth, and strike with wood a few times, at the same time according to the length pf the earth, and area, can stick up and made up to several dozens, lastly with a knife the outer earth remains of the Zhazha is trimed, and the job is completed.

5. According to one lama:"The merit of making Zhazha is great, like practicing in a retreat, all collegues who participate in the making of Zhazha should observed a vegetarian diet, and during the making process, one should recite the 100 syllables mantra, and make with one-pointed concentration."

The Empowerment Procedure

1. The building of a stupa is a serious matter and must rely on the cooperative effort of all people, and also require the help of the local deities, as such the guru must be present for blessing during occasion of the puja ceremony hosted by the lamas.

2. First, it is necessary to find a strong young man of age 36 to perform the offering and prayer, at the same time it is required that his parents are still present and healthy, and have financial freedom.

3. During the puja, the dried branches of a fruit-bearing tree should be prepared for burn offering. The offering substances include a plate of the mixture of gold, silver, and copper powerder mixed with flour and pieces of fruits, another plate contained pieces of fruits, within which stand a cup of nectar wine.

4. At the same time, the young man should make offering of 5 colored tormas and nectar wine to the 5 directions (east, south, west, north and center).

5. Then he should faces east, leading by a lama, he should draw with white ass in the area the size of the proposed stupa. Then the young man should hold a dagger and dig the earth 3 times. The earth should be covered with white 'hada', after the stupa building is completed, it will be installed within the stupa.

6. The lamas shall pour some fresh milk to the hole that has being digged and to observe the quality of the earth in the foundation area, if the milk absorped in the earth slowly means that the foundation will be very strong.

7. After the ceremony, the guru should give a payment in red envelop to the young man to create the dependent arising that during the construction of the stupa, all hindrances will be dispelled.

8. Beside the ritual ceremony to be conducted to empower the place of the stupa, all installation of dharma treasure should be practice with ritual for 6-7 days in order to empower them, every day one session of the ritual should be conducted in the morning starting from 8 a.m. and lasted for about 3 hours, in the afternoon one session of the ritual will start at 1.30 p.m. and lasted for 3 hours.

9. In front of the ritual performers' seats should be placed with various tormas, in the middle is a kapala filled with nectars, on top of which is placed with a mirror marked with pearl ink, on the mirror is placed a crystal to represent the Mahasanti view of 4 initiations, at the sides are placed with precious stones and treasures, and several dozens of butter lamps. To the right side of the seat is placed with various jewels and ritual objects, and so forth, at the left side is placed with various sutras, mantras and mandalas which represent the relics of dharmakaya.

10. All the outer bordery is surrounded with yellow threat and seperate the outer interference, at the same time do not allow any collegues to enter.

11. All who participate in the ritual ceremonial should observe a vegetarian diet, and during the ritual proactice the Guru Yoga and Vajrasattva Confessions, including the offering of Tsog, and after the ritual the leftover offerings and nectars should be distributed to all who are present.

The Construction and Installation of the Stupa

1. The foundation of the stupa is most important, not only the direction, the measurement should be accurate, and must be strong. The foundation should be filled with big rocks, hold together with steel rods, the inner and outer sections of the stupa have 4 pillars in each. After the ritual ceremony to install the precious vase of the 5 sugatas is completed, cement will be pour into the ground to ensure the stability of the foundation.

2. As such, a level by level will be established, by pouring of cement and the installation of precious objects in various levels, from the top view of the precious vase of 5 sugatas, there will be installation of ritual knives, swords, spears and daggers to subdue all violence and conflicts, on top of that will be installed with various types of jewels, medicinal herbs, and garments, grains, 37 offering mandalas and the 3 longevity Buddhas's mandala thangkha, there are several layers, again on top is installation of various mantras (containing 5 great classes, dakinis, wealth deities, paramita sutra, manis... and other mantras) and the stupa's shaped Zhazhas.

3. Prior to the installation at various levels, it must first be blown by 'kuku', the pouring of a layer of tiny sands, covered by rubber garments, and then covered with yellow garments, then the installation of dharma treasures can begin.

4. Prior to the arrangement, it is necessary to face east and practice ritual and prayers, pouring rice to bless the place, then the objects are placed from the middle to the outer, at this time one still faces east.

5. When the installation of the objects is completed, on top of which will be poured with the powder of incense in order to move, and then cover the 2nd level, when this is completed, all sections will be poured with incense powder, covered with dried branches and leaves of 'Pa' tree, and covered with yellow garment, rubber garment and tiny sands. Lastly cement will be used to cover the area.

6. As such the gradual process of construction level by level, and installation were done carefully and with seriousness, all participants must observe vegetarian diet, reciting the 100 syllables mantra, in order to maintain the immaculate empowerment.

7. The installation of the central channel and many Nyingmapa tantras, Zhazhas and so forth were a great event, all disciples can participate, if they cannot participate, they can practice in their own, by doing visualization and prayed with other practitioners while rotating the stupa, they will certain to receive the primordial empowerment, and all their wishes and requests shall be accorded.

8. A sublime stupa building project isn't an easy thing to do, it not only involved the construction of outer form, the most important part is the installation of dharma treasures at various levels, in their preparation, gathering, and ritual ceremony. As the dakini consort said:"In this world only a few lamas can build the correct stupa." This is not only the merit of sentient beings, it is also the unique occasion and right juncture for Vajrayana practitioners, if one can prayed with sincerity by walking aroung the stupa, all merit, wisdom, and sustenance shall be naturally perfected, all that one wishes for shall be fulfilled by themselves.

The Ornaments of the Field for Installation Ceremony

1. At the east and west direction of the stupa will be hanging with 5 color banners. At the front will be hanging with a red garment written with 'Mahasanti Buddha Stupa's Central Channel Installation Ceremony'.

2. The guru and lamas will sit at the eastern direction of the stupa, perform the ritual by facing the stupa, in front is the setting up of various offering substances: fruits, drinks, bread, at the side is various grains, at the foremost front is various dharma treasures in preparation for the installation with the central channel, at the ritual altar is 8 offering bowls, tormas and incense 'kuku', at the side of the southern direction is the arrangement of the seats for the 4-initiation achayas, at the outer bordery of the west is all sangha attendants, all lined up in ordery, solemn manner to ornament the ceremony.

Actual Empowerment Ceremony

1. An auspicious day should be chosen, the ceremony should begin early in the morning at 7 a.m. At this time all those who direct the assembly will lead the sangha to recite the 100-syllables mantra. The security guards should look after small children at the 4 corners, the field workers will beautify the place further to make the ornaments more auspicious, those responsible for the preparation of the grand tsog puja will start their arrangement in orderly manner, awaiting the auspicious time to arrange.

2. At 8.30 a.m. the ritual altar preparation will be completed, all offering substances are ready, the inner hall of the stupa for the installation will be cleansed, first by blowing with 'kuku' incense, then wipe all corners of the installation wall with a wet cloth that has been sunken in red flower water (sunk with pills of 'Chan-no').

3. At 8.45 a.m. those who are responsible to carry the dharma treasures, about 40 or more people will gathered at the retreat lounge, wearing the dharma robe and take their queue.

4. At 9 a.m. the guru will wear a hat and dharma robe, representing Guru Rinpoche, in the role of dharmaraja's heart son, will empower the central channel. The central channel will then be carry from the retreat lounge, the 8 offerings and dharma treasures will be carry to the field of the stupa, and all materials will be placed at the foremost offering table of the ritual altar.

5. Immediately following, the guru and lamas will lead all disciples facing the central channel to practice ritual, prayers, recitation of the 100-syllables mantra, Sakyamuni mantra, praises to the trikaya to empower with their mantras (of Amitabha, Avalokitesvara, and Guru Padmasambhava) of merit, accompanied by melody sound of bell and drum which shaken and empower the whole field.

6. After the placing of tormas, and the stupa's inner chamber being brow by 'kuku' incense, the lamas will recite the verses of prayer, while the sangha will recite the 100-syllables mantra, after the 8 offerings have been completed, all of them recite the 100-syllables mantra to perfect the ritual.

7. At 11 a.m. The guru will face the central channel to make a mandala offering, at the same time will bound the 'hata' on the central channel, all the participants will recite the prayer verses to the guru, at the same time they will make their own silent prayer wishes. Then in the group recitation of the mani, the central channel is being carry to the top of the stupa, ready to be place inside.

Actual Installation of Central Channel and Dharma Treasures

1.When the central channel is being carry over to the top of the stupa, the lamas will lead the participants inside the stupa to install the dharma treasures.

2. Firstly at the lower level is placed with a thin layer of tiny sands, covered with yellow garments, then covered with rubber garment, at the central region, is placed with a 160cm square mandala, then cover with incense powder, tiny sands, yellow garment, and then place a mandala (the same size, represent different meaning), again covered with a layer of incense powder. As such in the central region is placed a bowl of grains as offering to the central channel. The central channel is put in from the installation hole that has been previously prepared, it is arranged to face the eastern direction exactly, the 4 corners is placed with dharma treasures, in front is a kapala, stabbed with a phurba, at the side is placed with the earth that has been dig out during earlier ritual ceremony, including various jewels, rolls of sutras, mantra wheels, at the back is placed with a statue of Sakyamuni, facing east, after the 'Zhazhas' of Guru Rinpoche has been placed all over, it is scatter with incense powder, and a layer of tiny sand, at the back of the western direction is placed a 5 color precious vase, powders of gold, silver, copper, and iron, coins of various countries, rolls of long and short scriptures, mantra wheels, Guru Rinpoche 'Zhazhas'...and so forth.

3. The installation may takes up to 6 hours to complete from level to level, by covering and so forth. The topmost level will placed with all sutras and tantras, then cover with rubber garment, yellow garment, incense powder, tiny sands, when the whole central channel is covered inside the stupa, then the installation ceremony will be completed.

Sarvamangalam

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