What is a Stupa?
In Sedona, we have the pleasure of visiting the Amitabha Stupha Peace Park. Tucked into quiet neighborhood, it borders the forest service land anchoring iconic rock formations called, "Chimney Rock" and "Thunder Mountain". It is a wonderful place to sit quietly in meditation or circumambulate in meditative prayer. Prayer flags flap in breezes and chimes ring tingling focusing your aural senses. Buddha sits on the hill and benches call you to sit , yet again, close your eyes, and breathe.
The Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT) an international, non-profit organization shares: "Stupas, one of the most ancient icons in Buddhist art, are powerful symbols of the mind’s limitless potential. In other words, they represent the mind of enlightenment. Stupas are filled with sacred images, mantras and the relics of holy beings. Building or sponsoring a stupa is a very powerful way to accumulate merit and purify negative karma." Read more here: <http://fpmt.org/projects/fpmt/stupa/>
How does one circumambulate in prayer? There are a few rules that I've learned by others. First, walk around a stupha clockwise, never counter-clockwise. Second, walking at least 3 rotations is recommended. Third, chanting can add benefits, like chanting the phrase, " Om Mani Padmi Om".
Khenpo Sodargye Rinpoche's website has a wonderful Dharma teaching about 'The Merits Of Circumambulating Stupas', It's wonderful to understand the lineage and practice from such a beloved one.
"Buddhist statues and stupas are true wish-granting jewels; they have great benefit and blessing for the current and the next lives. If we can have solid understandings of this, then relying on it, we can surely get rid of karmic hindrances, broaden the scope of our wisdom prolong lifespan, and all wishes can come true. This is the unimaginable blessing power of the Three Jewels. We have doctrinal evidence and theoretical evidence; therefore, the accomplished ones of the past attach great importance to circumambulating stupas and statues of the Buddha."<http://www.khenposodargye.org/2013/03/the-merits-of-circumambulating-stupas/>
Read More About Amitabha Stupha , located in Sedona, AZ here: <http://www.tara.org/stupas/amitabha-stupa-and-peace-park/amitabha-sacred-land-campaign/>
