Through the Lens of Faith

One interesting phenomenon I noticed at Namdroling Monastery in India had to do with the issue of stupas and faith. Lining the monastery’s western flank is a line of 16 substantial, brilliantly white stupas, eight built in 1993, and eight in 2000. Prior to this, however, the first stupa erected at Namdroling was a modest , unadorned, poured-pebble-and-concrete structure, which was there even when I first visited in 1991. And in the morning? When the circumambulators emerge to accumulate meritorious laps around these sacred reliquaries? The 16 stupas stand virtually bereft of the faithful...

...and the small stupa, tucked away in a corner, looks like Indy after the green flag drops:

Why? The answer is simple. The small stupa enshrines a relic of Terton Migyur Dorje, and as with such stupas in Tibet, has acquired the reputation as a site for remarkable physical and mental healing. I joined the throng at the Migyur Dorje Stupa each morning, but took three turns around the 16, too, not wanting them to feel too forlorn.

Some local residents, though, just couldn't be bothered. I actually felt this way, too, after about 9am in the sun:

What’s so special about Terton Migyur Dorje? Well, I see that the Tibetan Buddhism Resource Center, bless ‘em, has made excerpts of the English translation of his liberation story available online, so check it for yourself.

And if you live in the States, or travel to the Washington, DC area? A glorious stupa containing a Migyur Dorje relic adorns the Peace Park at Kunzang Palyul Choling in Poolesville, MD.

Comments

[Chris H]

Wow - the monk in the photo of those doing khorwa (sp?) looks strikingly like Muksong Tulku. Or is that actually him circumambulating his predecessor's relics?

Thanks for the link to TBRC site as well!

[Lama Kunzang]

Wow, I didn't know that the stupa at KPC enshrined a relic of Terton Migyur Dorje. I'll have to visit as soon as I feel up to traveling. BTW, during your absence I made a great Jazz discovery: Darcy James Argue, a 33 year old composer and bandleader whose 18 piece ensemble is called Secret Society. Their debut record - they've been gigging since '05 - is called "Infernal Machines". Very interesting post-punk rock, post Avant-Garde Jazz, post minimalist Classical influences, but totally original. Check him out if possible.