PROJECTS
The Rheged Exhibition, Cumbria. August 2006

SCOTTISH PROJECTS
Samye Ling Stupa
Holy Island Stupas

THE HERITAGE PROJECT IN TIBET
Mani Wall at Simdzi
Holy Mountain of Drakar

TIBETAN HERITAGE
Introduction
Medicine
Painting
Crafts
Structures and Settlements
Costume
Language
Printing
Dancing

On Lama Yeshe's 60th birthday, the focus of great celebration at Samye Ling, 108 donated lily plants were placed in the new pond and in the evening a fabulous firework display lit up the sky and was reflected in the new lake. This splendid addition to the Peace garden brings the whole space together into one whole and is now being planted and landscaped with grasses and wild flowers. Please refer to our website for more information about Nagarjuna and also pictures of the statue.

The Himalayan Pilgrimage Treks
Some more intrepid trekkers returned from the Kailash Pilgrimage at the end of September.
The dates for the Tibet pilgrimage was deferred due to the Sars outbreak in the Spring, but we are hoping that our programme for 2004 which includes the pilgrimage treks to the Guru Rinpoche and Milarepa caves in Nepal and at Mount Kailash in Tibet will go as planned.

Stupa progress
The copper canopy above the entrance of the Stupa is now built and gleams beautifully in the autumn sunlight. All that is now needed is a small amount of woodwork on the inner ceiling. The interior of the Stupa too continues to progress. Jimpa, Stefan Hartung, from Dublin, our master joiner, came again this summer to add more of his wonderful work. All who have been able to visit the Stupa agree that the woodwork is exceptionally beautiful and of a quality rarely seen nowadays. We are expecting him again sometime during the winter to complete as much more work as funds allow.

In the Spring we hope to begin work on adding an outer walkway with a copper roof which will be parallel with the low wall which runs around the back of the stupa and flanks half of each side. The prayer wheels will form the supports for the copper roof on one side while the other side will be a wall providing niches for larger boxes of remains.

This will mean that a korra of the stupa can be partly made out of the rain and the prayer wheels can be turned in comfort in all weathers. Amy Smith, now a student of architecture at Bath University is working on the plans and drawings and also helping to raise funds.

The Amitabha Ashes Fund
There have already been 103 applications for Ashes to be kept within the Stupa. Due to the growing interest in the Stupa as a place of rest beautiful lacquered albums have been bought for human and animal photographs so that those living can keep a visual record of their loved ones as well as having their remains blessed and kept within the shrine room. These albums will be kept within the stupa as will loose leaf memorial books to which relatives and friends can contribute. As soon as the Stupa interior is complete a member of the ordained Sangha who has completed the 3-year retreat will make prayers everyday in the shrine.

New Stupa cards
The Stupa Office will soon be selling a series of cards depicting the Stupa, the statues and peace Garden and as they are blank they could well be used for Christmas Greetings. The cards are printed from colour photographs and will be available from November - so please put your orders in soon in case we need to make a reprint!

Please do let your family and friends know about the Stupa project and its benefits. If we can help with any matters concerning the project do get in touch.

The Stupa Team,
Samye Ling