Maitreya Project Update, July 2011

This Update is dedicated to our esteemed spiritual director Lama Zopa Rinpoche whose kindness allows us to bring so many blessings to so many around the world. May all the positive energy created from the Maitreya Project Relic Tour activities around the world result in Rinpoche’s swift recovery (from a recent stroke) and long-life.

Land Site Progress in Kushinagar,
Uttar Pradesh, India

The State Government of Uttar Pradesh has designated approximately 250 acres, of the originally identified 750 acres of land, as Phase 1 for the land site handover. The State Government is currently engaged with the Ministry of Civil Aviation in India to establish safety requirements in relation to the proposed statue and the new Kasia International Airport being developed at Kushinagar. Maitreya Project is optimistic this will allow the Project to progress on site, within months.

A majority of the 250 acres identified for Phase 1 is poor quality land, much of which floods during the rains and for which landowners are extremely keen to receive payment as soon as possible. Even though the land is not very good for farming, it will be useful for Maitreya Project’s activities.

Landowners have been confidently contacting Maitreya Project’s office directly to report concerns and for advice and assistance in liaising with government officials, which has been immediately and freely given. This has provided landowners with an efficient way in which to air and resolve concerns and problems. This form of dialogue is unprecedented in India and this acquisition is becoming a model for development, as Maitreya Project always intended it to be.

The long-awaited milestone of land site hand-over requires huge patience. Maitreya Project will continue to advocate on behalf of the landowners for the Government of UP to complete the compensation process as soon as possible.

Thank you very much for your ongoing support of Maitreya Project.

More Highlights from the Relic Tour

Patagonia

Blessings in Bariloche "There are no words to express the gratitude I have towards Ven. Lama Zopa Rinpoche, who through his extraordinary and compassionate action in the Dharma, generates this tour of Relics with all its incredible blessings. Through impermanence and interdependence, let the event dissolve like the flight of a bird in the sky, leaving behind, just flowers of blessings."
- Prabha Meza, Patagonia event organizer, 2011

At the Relic Tour event in Bariloche, Patagonia, 3,000 visitors and 50 animals came to receive blessings.

In addition to the organized Relics event, the Tour team was invited to bless the premature babies and their nurses on the maternity ward at the local hospital. After the Relics were placed over each of them the nursing staff said they felt all the heavy and negative energy leave the place.

The Relics also visited a local animal shelter where the team blessed every dog by placing the bag of Relics on top of their heads and reciting mantras. Horses that had been rescued from abuse were kept next door, so the Relics went there too!

Mexico

In Mendoza the team learned that the movie "Seven Years in Tibet", starring Brad Pitt, had been filmed there and a beautiful statue had been given to the city. The same statue was in the centre of the Relic altar display at this event. More than 2,000 visitors came.

USA

In May, the team returned to California for the Land of Medicine Buddha’s annual festival where the Relics surrounded a very large Maitreya Buddha Statue. The event was a great celebration with many nuns and monks working in shifts to give countless blessings.

Scandinavia

The Relics toured Scandinavia visiting Copenhagen, Oslo, Gothenburg, Vasteras, Stockholm, Malmo, and Arhus.

While driving across Sweden the team stopped near a farm. Animals gathered at the fence next to the van, so the team went over to give blessings with the Relics.

"This one goat was pregnant, I gave her a blessing and then she followed me along the fence indicating that she wanted more blessings."
- Venerable Siliana Bosa, Europe Relic Tour

In Vasteras, a little girl receiving a blessing from the Buddha Relics was told to think her heart was full of loving-kindness. As soon as the blessing finished, she turned to her brother and covered him with lots of kisses!! The Tour team watched in delighted amazement.

The event in Oslo, which took place at a beautiful venue on the banks of a fjord, near the grand Oslo Opera House, attracted 2,500 visitors. This event was organized as a collaboration between the Norway Buddhist Union and a Tai Chi Association. It brought together many spiritual and cultural traditions, and visitors included ambassadors from several embassies.

Traditional Vietnamese celebrations and processions greeted the Relics at Quang Huong Pagode in Aarhus, Denmark.

For information about upcoming Relic Tour events please visit the Relic Tour Calendar.

On the Road with the Relic Tour

You can now follow the Tour on Facebook and our YouTube channel. We also have a blog on our website with more stories and images from events around the world.

Many, many thanks to all those who continue to help the Tour by volunteering, organizing, donating, sharing their experiences online, and saying prayers for all of Maitreya Project’s charitable activities.

Life-Size Maitreya Buddha Statues

Maitreya Project has once again produced a limited quantity of life-size Maitreya statues and is delighted to make them available to spiritual centres, temples and individuals.

The statues are the same as those which travel with the Maitreya Project Relic Tour, and are on display around the world almost every week. The statues are also installed in a number of important places including Lama Zopa Rinpoche's house in California.

Here are a few comments from recent recipients of these statues:

"Through the Maitreya Project, we have a beautiful, golden, life-sized Maitreya statue in our home. It is as if Maitreya himself is residing in our living room as our esteemed guest. The statue is a constant reminder and inspiration of loving-kindness."
- TW, California, USA

"The statue is absolutely beautiful. It brings serenity to our home."
- MK, British Columbia, Canada

"You were right... the statues are magnificent! Thank you!"
- AF, Puerto Rico

"Stunning", "fantastic", and "awesome", are other adjectives recipients have used.

The original artwork was crafted with input from Himalayan master sculptors as well as high lamas including His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Lama Zopa Rinpoche. The statues are of poly-resin and are painted as the sample shown in the picture. They are supplied without a throne seat as it is easier to utilize a low table.

For information about how to order a statue, including donation amounts, delivery cost, etc, please visit http://www.maitreyaproject.org/en/donate/lifesize.html

Thank you!

volver