BENDIGO (Australia), 11 October 2022: A few kilometers away from Bendigo, the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, is 50 meters square at its base and nearly 50 meters high. This makes it the largest stupa in the Western World.
The Great Stupa is similar in design and size to the Gyantse Stupa (Kumbum) in Tibet. The Gyantse Stupa is one of the treasures of the Buddhist world. Professor David L. Snellgrove has said: “The Stupa of Gyantse may well be accounted the chief wonder of the Tibetan Buddhist world in that it records iconographically in its interior practically the whole pantheon of Indo-Tibetan religion up to the time of its construction during the first half of the 15th century.”
About two hours’ drive from Melbourne, the Great Stupa is a towering structure that becomes visible as you turn toward the massive 220 acres of property where it is situated.
The Gompa (temple) inside the Stupa has many features including statues and deities used for pujas, meditation, and teachings. Beautiful gardens surround the Stupa with exotic plants and the Peace Park showcases symbols from many faiths including Catholic, Sikh, Islam, Hindu, and Buddhist.
I am with a group of Buddhist people who are taken around for a tour of the sprawling complex, a place where only four lamas in robes live, and others who look after the place leave in the evening. Mr. Ian Green, Chairman & Director speaks to South Asia Times (SAT):
The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion is a not-for-profit organisation. The idea to build a Great Stupa was the vision of Lama Thubten Yeshe. The idea to base the design of the stupa on the Great Stupa of Gyantse was the vision of Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa were the founders of the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition.
There are shrines, statues of Buddha, jade Buddha, living quarters, stupa view cafe, memorials, jade gifts, abundant nature, walks, and meditation. The main stupa is the attraction, though inside some construction is still on. For the spiritual or anyone the place gives a message of peace and love.
At the complex shop, you can buy malas, statues, prayer flags & hangings, incense & candles, clothing & bags, ritual objects, jewelry & keyrings, books, souvenirs, cards, and CDs & DVDs. In fact, I feel, there is much more to discover.
Atisha Buddhist Centre
We were taken around this beautiful complex by Venerable Gyalten Dondrup (VGD), Centre Director, Aitsha Centre (AC), which operates from within the same area.
VGD walked along with us for more than an hour explaining the various places of interest in the complex.
With his incredible knowledge of Buddhism, VGD leads the AC, a Buddhist meditation centre, that provides opportunities for the study and practice of a spiritual path, where people can develop their natural wisdom and compassion. Read about Aitsha HERE.
As my trip to this beautiful island of peace and tranquility ended, a sense of belonging gripped me, I left with my friends with a pledge to come back soon and feel the blended ambiance of Buddha and nature.
