Good news!
Dear friends,
This something to really look forward to. I hope it manifests fast and it will be a great blessing to the people of that area and the world. Buddha images have tremendous benefits. I just wanted to share this.
Tsem Rinpoche
Reach for the sky: An artist’s impression of the Buddha statue.
Gujarat govt green-lights world’s tallest statue of sitting Buddha
Bharat Yagnik, TNN | Sep 13, 2015, 02.06AM IST
AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat government is going ahead with a 108-meter tall Buddha statue at Dev ni Mori near Shamlaji, 150 kms north of Ahmedabad. It’ll be the second tallest Budhha statue in the world after the Spring Temple in China (153 meters) — and the tallest of a sitting Buddha, beating a 92-meter statue in Thailand.
A detailed report of the Rs 700-crore project, built around the statue, was presented at Bodh Gaya on September 5 at the International Buddhist Conference where 400 delegates from 26 nations participated. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present as officials of the Gujarat Pavitra Yatradham Vikas Board (GPYVB) laid out the plan for a 100-acre development near the historic site, complete with a stupa, parks, monasteries set up by Buddhist countries from across the world, exhibits, and a library. This was said to be one of Modi’s cherished projects while he was chief minister of Gujarat.
The statue will have Buddha covered by a seven-hooded Mucalinda, the mythological serpent who provided shelter when Buddha was in meditation.
Dev ni Mori was excavated by the state archaeology department in 1953. Dating back to 3rd century AD, the site had a monastery and a stupa. The most important discovery from the site however was a 1,700 year old casket which has bodily relics of Buddha. Kept at MS University at present, a replica of the casket was presented to visiting Chinese president Xi Jinping during his Ahmedabad visit last year.
The expansion plan includes formation of an educational institute on the line of an ancient monastery. Japan and Sri Lanka have shown interest in partnering in the project.
Anil Patel, secretary of GPYVB, said that while the budget is still to be worked out, an architect firm has been finalized and the development is likely to begin in a year’s time. The project is expected to take five years to complete. The GPYVB has signed an MoU with the International Buddhist Confederation for project development.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Gujarat-govt-green-lights-worlds-tallest-statue-of-sitting-Buddha/articleshow/48940324.cms?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=TOI
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Amazing India’s western state of Gujarat had planned to build a 354-foot seated statue of the Buddha. It seem to be the second-tallest Buddha statue in the world after China’s Spring Temple Buddha and the world’s tallest seated Buddha . The gujarat government is all set to build a 108metre statue of sitting Buddha but somehow as to these days no further progress has been made .
Interesting discovery by the state archaeologist near Shamlaji, a remains of a Buddhist monastery dated 3rd-4th century AD were discovered. Shamlaji was once an important Hindu pilgrimage destination, during 1960-1963. Wow……a casket was found, which as per its inscription, contained relics of Gautam Budhha. The 1700-year-old casket is currently kept at the MS University of Baroda in Vadodara.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.
It’s always rejoiceful to see the big Buddha statue as it brings great benefit not only to the sponsor but also to all beings and the surrounding environment. Beings that have a glance at the Buddha statue will help plant the seed in their mindstream for their future benefit. People that able to see and make an offering to the Buddha statue will collect merits and purification. That’s is why it’s good to build as big as possible so it will reach out to many people especially for the people that can’t afford to invite a Buddha statue.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this article. I like reading articles about Buddha statues in other countries. I’m amazed with their architecture and designs. May the building of this Buddha statue in Ahmedabad bee free of obstacles and be completed in time.
With folded palms,
Vivian
Well its good news indeed…building a a 108-meter tall Buddha statue at Dev ni Mori near Shamlaji, 150 kms north of Ahmedabad.It will be the second tallest Budhha statue in the world……amazing .May the building of this statue be materialize to benefits all people around there as well as the world. By looking as the images it really big and beautiful with mountains and green scenery around the statue.May it be like KFR growing in size day by day.
Thanks Rinpoche for sharing this good news..Rejoice….
Rejoice for the massive buddha image that will be built here, it will help the people and the land so much.
I rejoice that The Gujarat government is going ahead with a 108-meter tall Buddha statue at Dev ni Mori. This is definitely good news to all Buddhists worldwide as another holy image is created in the world.
In the ‘Sutra of the Mudra Entering Developing the Power of Faith’, the Buddha said, “If any young man or woman should give food of a hundred flavours to as many arhats (those who have a direct understanding of the nature of reality) as there are particles of dust in all the universe, and should do so every day for as many ages as there are grains of sand in the banks of the river, Ganges – if another young man or woman should merely see the painted image of the Buddha, this would produce infinitely greater merit (positive potential) than that.
H.E. Tsem Rinpoche has explained that every part of Buddha’s body is made up of 3 aeons of merits, through the restrictions of negative speech, restrictions of negative mind, and restrictions of negative bodily action. Therefore, a Buddha image is a representation of this, the culmination of 3 aeons of practice. To see a Buddha, to make offerings, to prostrate to a Buddha, and to create or build an image of a Buddha puts the imprint in our mind to have the same situation for us.
Nowadays, even non-Buddhists worldwide recognise a Buddha statue as a symbol of peace of mind. Many psychotherapists and alternative healers, hotel, resorts and spas place statues of the Buddha in their lobbies and waiting rooms to encourage an atmosphere of well-being and calm.
I attach here a link to the Power of Buddha’s Form as explained by H.E. Tsem Rinpoche if you wish to know more : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htzERbBVJLU
Building outdoor Buddha statues is beneficial both for spiritual and secular reasons. On a spiritual basis, due to the magnitude of the project, more people can get involved and generate merits for themselves, planting the seeds of Enlightenment in their mindstream.
According to the sutra, the benefits of creating Buddha images are as follow:
“… People who make Buddha images, will possess bright eyes and elegant looks in their after lives; their physical bodies, arms and feet are well-proportioned. Even if they are born as gods, with radiant eyes and countenance, their immaculateness outshines other gods of any realms. Indeed such a fortune is attained by those who make Buddha images.
Any places in which people who make Buddha images are born will be void of any evilness. Their physiques are flawless. When they pass away, they will be born in the gods realm of the seventh Brahma heaven. Their appearance is exceptionally graceful that all gods will honor them. Indeed such a fortune is attained by those who make Buddha images.
People who make Buddha images will be born to dignified families that excel any other families existent on earth; never will they be born to underprivileged families. Indeed such a fortune is attained by those who make Buddha images.
People who make Buddha images in their after lives will be golden color in their physiques and be peerlessly refined.
People who make Buddha images will be born in their after lives to affluent families, with wealth, money, and precious jewels in abundance beyond measure. They will also be cherished by their parents, siblings, and other relatives. Indeed such a fortune is attained by those who make Buddha images.”
Many sentient beings from different realms can receive blessings upon sight of the huge outdoor Buddha statue.
On a secular basis, this generates tourist dollars which would be good for the economy in that particular town. There will also be more jobs in town to cater to the influx of tourists.
Congratulations to the Gujarat government!
Many grateful thanks to the Gujarat Government for giving the green light for the world’s tallest statue of a sitting Buddha to be erected at Dev in Mori, Ahmedabad. Like our Rinpoche said, “It is something that all Buddhists in the World are looking forward to”. We too, are hoping for this to manifest. It will definetely be the greatest blessing for the people of Gujarat and the World, as Buddha’s images are said to have tremendous benefits and merits in anyone indulging in them. May the successful erection of the Worlds tallest statue of a sitting Buddha brings more peace and happiness to all living beings. Om Mani Padme Hung.
Thank you Rinpoche for the sharing. This is really a good news! I’m very happy to hear that will be another 108-meter tall Buddha statue to be planned and build soon at Dev ni Mori near Shamlaji. May this project development and our Kechara Forest Retreat Medicine Buddha Hill can be manifested soon and benefit others.
Thank you Rinpoche.
Dear Rinpoche,
This is a great news to share. As in line with what Rinpoche has mentioned above, I also hope that it will manifest soon. Thank you Rinpoche.