The Nine Tathagata Reliquary Stupas of Venerable Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche
There are many kinds of stupas: the Spontaneously Established Stupa, the Supreme Stupa, the Stupa Bestowing All-Accomplishments, the Tathagata Stupa, and the Shravakayana and Pratyekabuddhayana Stupa, as well as many others. Among these, this is the renowned Tathagata Stupa that commemorates the eight principle activities of our great Teacher, Buddha Shakyamuni, who performed one activity at each of the eight holy places.
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With a gathering of many lamas, khenpos, tulkus and sangha members from the around the world, the Tathagatha Stupas and Temple Reliquaries of Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche were consecrated and dedicated for world peace and the well-being of all sentient beings - from now until they reach enlightenment - on the 24th day of November in 2013 in Sarnath , India. May it bring peace and prosperity to all beings!
Discussing Stupa Designs
Making Tsa Tsas
Painting Tsa Tsas
Where were these stupas built? In Varanasi, in the “Sage Falling” Deer Park, where the one thousand buddhas of this Fortunate Aeon, including our great teacher Buddha Shakyamuni, have and will continue to first turn the wheel of Dharma. On the inner level of the body, speech, mind, and qualities of this place, it is the holy site of the Padma Heruka family. This wondrous spot will not even be destroyed at the end of the aeon by the seven fires and one flood. In this area, where so many fresh blessings are blazing and rich, the supreme monument of world peace, the Nine Tathagata Reliquary Stupas of Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche were built.
At the very beginning, the ground where the stupas would be built was blessed by H.H. Dilgo Khyenste Yangsi Rinpoche, H.E. Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche, Shechen Wonpo Rinpoche, and many khenpos and tulkus of Shechen Monastery, as well as the monks, nuns, and lamas of Padma Samye Chökhor Ling and Orgyen Samye Chökhor Ling.
Left side of Stupa
Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche at the Reliquary Stupa
Right side of stupa
Temple of the Great Masters
On the same level, behind the stupas is a beautiful temple designed with two levels. The upper level has a roof covered with red tile, and three serto spires at the peak. At the top of the four corners of the first floor are four victory banners. According to the lineage instructions, on the upper part of the external temple wall are two garlands of stars, in between which are two-foot tall dharmachakra wheels, conch shells, and lotuses that alternate in a pattern around the four directions of the temple walls. The front door and side windows have detailed carved overhangs. Beneath the overhang of the front entrance are two stone pillars that are carved to resemble the two original pillars that still stand in the holy place where the wheel of Dharma was first turned, which you can see even today.
Inside the temple, the floor is made of very white marble, and in the center of the floor is a two-foot wide eight petalled lotus, with each petal made from a different color marble stone. Where the walls meet the floor is a six-inch tall border made of red marble. In the center of the temple is a beautiful lion’s throne made of white marble shaped like a ‘T’ when seen from above. On top of the shrine are three solid, life- sized stone statues: (1) in the center is Kyabje Dudjom Jigdral Yeshe Dorje, (2) on the shrine’s right side is Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche, and (3) on the left is Gelong Kunpang Pema Tsultrim. These portrait statues with living expressions are hand-carved out of the best white marble. Above the shrine in the wall are three alcoves that house bronze statues made with the finest craftsmanship: (1) in the center is Buddha Shakyamuni, (2) on the wall’s right is Guru Padmasambhava, and (3) on the wall’s left is Jetsun Drolma. In the middle of the ceiling is a beautiful crystal chandelier in the shape of a wish-fulfilling jewel necklace, piled up as a mandala offering of shimmering lights.
Entrance to the Temple of the Masters
Statues of Ven. Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche, H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche and Lama Chimed Namgyal
Statue of Venerable Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche
On the ground in front of the stupas and temple is a solid red sandstone floor with an eight-petalled lotus in its center. A staircase with seven steps and two stone railings connects this landing to a raised stone khora path. On both sides of the staircase are double-petalled lotus thrones that are about three and a half feet tall, which display the life story of Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche carved in stone in both Tibetan and English. The outer edge of the khora path that encircles all of the stupas includes a stone railing made of many pillars, each of which is topped with a blossoming lotus. The Stupa Memorial is nestled auspiciously beneath a bodhi tree within a mango grove, and is surrounded by many newly planted fruit trees, flowers, and green grass.
In brief, the entire Stupa Memorial and its statues are hand-carved out of red sandstone and white marble, respectively, by two very renowned stone carvers in India. It is solid, beautiful, and magnificent, and due to the blessings of the Three Jewels, it spontaneously brings joy and devotion, and was accomplished very naturally, as if it were self-emanated. This is a brief explanation of the design of the Tathagata Stupas and Temple Reliquaries of Venerable Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche.
Ven. Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche with young nuns at the entrance to the Temple of the Masters
Lama Laia with young nuns and Sangha members at the consecration
Ven. Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche and Lama Jomo Lorraine in front of a beautiful image of Ven. Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche.