Walking Sacred Ground

The Buddhist Channel, June 5, 2011

"When the Iron Bird flies and horses run on wheels, the Tibetan people will be scattered like ants across the face of the earth, and the Dharma will come to the land of the red-faced men." - Padmasambhava, 8th Century

Berkeley, CA (USA) -- For centuries, the acreage upon which Odiyan stands had been sacred to the Pomo Indians of the California coastal range, who called it the Land of the Condor. Since 1975, under the direction of Tarthang Rinpoche, over 1,500 acres of rolling hills have been blessed, empowered and made even more sacred by the construction of temples, stupas, and the power of numerous offerings and ceremonies.

Odiyan is so densely filled with the symbols of the Enlightened Ones, that the melody of the Dharma can easily be heard. Wherever the symbols of the three jewels are found, their blessings quiet the heart and attune it to the voice of wisdom.

Stupa Blessings

A stupa is a structure that symbolizes the perfect enlightened mind. By its very shape a stupa diffuses the forces of chaos and negativity and moves the human mind towards Enlightenment. Providing no place for the ego to take hold, the Stupa is a pure receptacle for devotion and prayer directed towards peace and harmony amongst living beings. With blessings magnified many times over by the relics sealed within, it promotes order in nature and in the wider cosmos, protecting from disasters and healing the disquiets of the human heart.

An ocean of blessings radiates fundamentally from the Odiyan Stupa’s symbolic form, prayer wheels, and the relics of Gautama Buddha and Tibetan masters. More than a symbol, the Odiyan Enlightenment Stupa actually transmits the power of enlightenment. Those who honor its presence can directly experience the blessings. Its ancient architecture has the power to answer many prayers: cure disease, ease the transition between death and rebirth, increase awareness, heal negativity and avert natural disaster.

What is a Trust Walk

On June 15, 2011, The Nyingma Trust located in Berkeley, CA will commemorate the Buddha's Englightenment (Saga Dawa Duchen). The Nyingma Turst encourages sponsors to pray for the benefit of their family and friends on the sacred ground of the Odiyan Stupa.

"Connect to the sacred power of prayers on behalf of someone you love, or for your own well-being. Ask for healing or positive rebirth, business success, financial stability or the health and safety of yourself, your friends, family and country.

Sponsor a prayer to benefit a cause close to your heart or a larger wish for the peace and balance of the whole world"

On the morning of a Trust Walk members will begin walking clockwise around (circumambulating) the Odiyan Stupa with their requests in hand, praying for positive fulfillment of their wishes. The walk will continue until all the offerings are completed. Horns and conch shells will call attention to our actions, and the day will be punctuated by the ringing of the Odiyan Stupa bell.

Step by step, prayers for healing and positive change while focusing on particular intention for a loved one or cause. The walk will take lace with hearts open, and with awareness.

A virtual ocean of blessings radiates fundamentally from the Stupa’s special form, prayer wheels, and the relics of Gautama Buddha and Tibetan masters and envelopes those who walk.

For details, please visit: http://nyingmatrust.org/NyingmaTrustWalks/trustWalk.html

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