A Stupa Story
Posted by Sedona NewAge on
Once upon a time, there was a 31 year old single mother living in Brooklyn, New York. Strange and unusual things kept happening to her. She wound up selling her home and all her belongings, ‘awaiting further instructions.’ Her family thought she had gone mad. She was obviously delusional. Those same thoughts must have haunted her as she sat on the porch of her just-sold home with her son and whatever she could carry in the few pieces of luggage at her feet. “I should hail a taxi,” she mused, when at that moment, the story goes, a taxi pulled up and out stepped a Buddhist monk.
Zoom ahead. After studying in India for several years, Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo, the first Western woman to be recognized and enthroned as a reincarnate Lama in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, returned to the United States where she founded Kunzang Palyul Chöling Buddhist Center in rural Maryland and the business of stupa building began.
Meanwhile, back here in Sedona, a man with plans for building a few speculation homes as well as his own dream home bought some land above the Harmony Heights neighborhood. He liked the feel and the layout of the land and knew that he had something special, but whenever he tried to build upon the land, something always gummed up the works. Either earth-moving equipment failed to perform, workers wouldn’t show up, or building permits would get lost. He gave up on building his special abode when he found the ‘dream home’ already built in a neighborhood more to his liking. He wanted to build spec houses, but he could never get the project off the ground. Finally, he just wanted to sell. He called his realtor and gave the listing. Within a few days, a group of Buddhist monks showed up with a check for exactly the lowest price he told his realtor he ’d accept.
The story goes that Jetsunma’s spiritual brother had a dream about the land and was told it was the perfect spot for a Stupa. Jetsunma left her beloved Maryland and headed for Sedona where she first built the 6 foot tall White Tara Stupa. Soon after, work began on the main Amitabha Stupa, named for the Buddha of long life and Compassion.
The stupas give Sedona’s visitors and residents a unique place to bring together not only Buddhist and native American traditions, but all spiritual teachings. The views are astounding and the area is permeated by prayers and blessings. When visiting the Sedona Stupas, it is easy to believe that many miracles can and do occur simply for the asking.
The KPC Stupas are located in West Sedona and are open from dawn to dusk. From the Center for the New Age on 179, proceed to the traffic light at the “Y” where 179 meets Highway 89A. Turn left onto 89A and drive about 3 miles. Turn right onto Andante at the Circle K. Go through the four-way Stop sign and turn left onto Pueblo. Proceed 100 yards and park on the road. Enter the property at the construction gates.
Zoom ahead. After studying in India for several years, Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo, the first Western woman to be recognized and enthroned as a reincarnate Lama in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, returned to the United States where she founded Kunzang Palyul Chöling Buddhist Center in rural Maryland and the business of stupa building began.
Meanwhile, back here in Sedona, a man with plans for building a few speculation homes as well as his own dream home bought some land above the Harmony Heights neighborhood. He liked the feel and the layout of the land and knew that he had something special, but whenever he tried to build upon the land, something always gummed up the works. Either earth-moving equipment failed to perform, workers wouldn’t show up, or building permits would get lost. He gave up on building his special abode when he found the ‘dream home’ already built in a neighborhood more to his liking. He wanted to build spec houses, but he could never get the project off the ground. Finally, he just wanted to sell. He called his realtor and gave the listing. Within a few days, a group of Buddhist monks showed up with a check for exactly the lowest price he told his realtor he ’d accept.
The story goes that Jetsunma’s spiritual brother had a dream about the land and was told it was the perfect spot for a Stupa. Jetsunma left her beloved Maryland and headed for Sedona where she first built the 6 foot tall White Tara Stupa. Soon after, work began on the main Amitabha Stupa, named for the Buddha of long life and Compassion.
The stupas give Sedona’s visitors and residents a unique place to bring together not only Buddhist and native American traditions, but all spiritual teachings. The views are astounding and the area is permeated by prayers and blessings. When visiting the Sedona Stupas, it is easy to believe that many miracles can and do occur simply for the asking.
The KPC Stupas are located in West Sedona and are open from dawn to dusk. From the Center for the New Age on 179, proceed to the traffic light at the “Y” where 179 meets Highway 89A. Turn left onto 89A and drive about 3 miles. Turn right onto Andante at the Circle K. Go through the four-way Stop sign and turn left onto Pueblo. Proceed 100 yards and park on the road. Enter the property at the construction gates.