Buddhist Center Stupa Called ‘One of a Kind'

November 1, 2006

Author: Paul Boerger

Source: The Buddhist Channel/Mt. Shasta Herald

http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=65,3365,0,0,1,0

Tara's Refuge Buddhist Center in Mount Shasta has added a new stupa that Refuge facilitator John Cashman says is one of a kind in the world.

“It is the only female designated stupa in the world,” Cashman said.

A stupa, Cashman explained, is the “representation of the body, mind and speech of the Buddha.”

“Especially the mind of enlightenment,” he said. “A stupa has specific proportions that inspire people to be awake. It's a generator for positive energy that is said to have influence for hundreds of miles around.”

The stupa was built by monks from Nepal and consecrated by Gochken Tulka, who, Cashman said, is one of the only people in the western world qualified to to do such a consecration.

“He's only one of five in the world who does what he does,” Cashman said.