The first Kalachakra Stupa in the Southern Hemisphere dedicated to the world peace and Tibetan people
Kalachakra World Peace Stupa was opened to the public at a solemn ceremony at the Crystal Castle, Mullumbimby near Byron Bay in Australia on 27 October. The auspicious ceremony began with the welcome to the country by the owners of the land and prayers by the Gyuto monks in front of a huge stone statue of Lord Buddha. His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s photo was taken in a procession led by the Gyuto monks and placed on the throne in front of the newly constructed stupa.
Mr Sonam Norbu Dagpo, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia and chief guest of the occasion offered (Mendrel) long life offerings and the Gyuto monks chanted long life prayer for His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The Gyuto monks then consecrated the stupa.
Mr Naren King, the Director of the Crystal Castle spoke on the history of the construction of the stupa. He and his wife Sono though not Buddhist visited Dharamsala in 2010 and met Woeser Rinpoche who through his divination advised them to construct a Kalachakra stupa. They had audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Sakya Gongma Rinpoche, Gaden Tri Rinpoche and others and received blessings for their project. The 8-metre Kalachakra Stupa was built in accordance with Tibetan tradition under the guidance and supervision of the Gyuto monks. He said that the stupa was filled with many sacred relics and scriptures.
Mr Sonam Dagpo unveiled the Kalachakra World Peace Stupa which is dedicated “to love and peace for all beings and to the freedom for the Tibetan people and to their sacrifice in the name of peace” He expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the Crystal Castle and its directors Naren King and his wife Sono for dedicating the stupa to the peaceful struggle of the Tibetans for the preservation of their religion and culture.
More than 1500 people from all over Australia and New Zealand attended the ceremony. It is said that the first Kala Chakra stupa was constructed in Amaravati in India where Buddha gave the first Kalachakra teachings. There are very few Kalachakra stupas in the world toady and this one here at the Crystal Castle is the first one in the Southern Hemisphere.
