THE COMING OF MAITREYA

By Linda Rose

Bodhgaya. The Dalai Lama. A potent combination. Under the auspices of the Maitreya Project, that huge, magnificent project initiated by Lama Zopa Rinpoche to fulfill the heart wish of Lama Thubten Yeshe, His Holiness the Dalai Lama was in Bodhgaya January 23-28 [1998] to teach and bless with his presence the land where a 500-foot statue of Lord Maitreya will be built.

This was an opportunity not to be missed. It had been a long but perhaps auspicious 12 years since His Holiness had taught to a large audience in Bodhgaya. Except for a Chenrezig initiation and teachings to a small crowd during the nuns’ conference early 1987, His Holiness had not been back since the Kalachakra initiation attended by tens of thousands in 1985.

Last year, according to Maitreya Project’s India director Ven. Marcel Bertels, an association of Buddhist monasteries in Bodhgaya under the umbrella of the International Buddhist Council requested His Holiness to come to Bodhgaya to teach again. And the Maitreya Project sent its own invitation to His Holiness, which he graciously accepted; the January date was confirmed just last September.

Bodhgaya in India is the holiest place on earth for Buddhist pilgrims, the place where Buddha achieved enlightenment under the famous bodhi tree. Bodhgaya also happens to be situated in the central state of Bihar that is known to be among the country’s poorest and having one of the highest rates of illiteracy, child mortality and landlessness – not to mention lawlessness.

Yet in the midst of all the suffering and chaos rests the indefinable beauty, tranquility and spirituality of the Mahabodhi Temple, the Great Stupa and its surrounds. It is here, about three kilometers west of the Great Stupa, that the enormous Maitreya statue is being planned.

Getting to Bodhgaya is not easy. By plane, then by train to Gaya or road from Patna: a long and arduous journey. Arriving in Gaya is not easy either. But this time it was facilitated by the Maitreya Project team operating out of their temporary office (amidst construction) in the New Mahayana Guest House. Thought and consideration had gone into everything. Hotels were booked, ready and waiting, and friendly faces met arrivals at Patna or Gaya with transportation to hotels. Registration for the teaching event was a breeze, aided by lots of helpers. There was excitement and loving kindness in the air. All obstacles were being overcome.

The enormous tent that was to protect the people from the elements during the teachings was up on the old Kalachakra teaching site behind the Mahabodhi Temple, opposite the Great Stupa. A lot of work had been done to ready the site, said Peter Kedge, the director of the Maitreya Project International. It had been fenced off and made secure, the ground leveled and a new teaching pavilion constructed that accommodated His Holiness as well as the high lamas and abbots, the Sangha and VIPs. Lama Zopa Rinpoche felt that the whole set-up was so good, “it’s only a pity that the teachings were so short.”

A cleaning company run by Dulits (lower caste Indians), Sulabh International, was contracted to clean up the entire town of Bodhgaya, said Peter Kedge. “They also provided 75 portable toilets. They did a phenomenal job: so clean and so beautifully managed. They built them on site, all in a row, a bamboo structure with a nylon sheeting separating the cubicles. Each had a wash basin with running water and soap. Everything worked so well. Everybody – visitors, the Tibetans, Indians – appreciate this service, which is so unusual in India. They even had a ceremonial ribbon to be cut, to hand them over to us!”

The Maitreya Project exhibition stand was ready nearby. Apart from a scurry of activity led by chief organizer, Kopan Monastery’s Gelek Gyatso Rinpoche, by January 21 everything seemed to be fairly well in place, although final touches were still needed for the backdrop and ceremonial tent for His Holiness’s visit to the Maitreya land on the 28th and a long-life puja.

Meanwhile close to 20,000 Tibetans were pouring into Bodhgaya, some newly arrived from Tibet and others from Himalayan lands such as Nepal, Ladakh, Bhutan, Sikkim and Spiti. Also still arriving were about 1,000 Buddhists from around the world, including a group of 200 from Taiwan and a contingency from Singapore, the largest representation of Chinese speakers ever seen in India. Simultaneous translation was available in both English and Chinese, and then translated into French and Italian.

The dust was horrendous, but the rickshaw drivers and traders were doing good business. Bodhgaya is a busier, dirtier and less safe place than it was 10 years ago but it is developing. Beggars, ragged children, poverty, polio and leprosy are everywhere in front of your eyes: there’s culture shock for some and it’s heartbreaking. But in the midst of all this drama and chaos, there are unusually few unhappy faces.

The scene is set. It is busy at the teaching site, but down the road at FPMT’s Root Institute all is surprisingly tranquil – an oasis full of flowers. Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Ribur Rinpoche had arrived, after leading what was by all accounts an amazing pilgrimage (see “On Pilgrimage with Ribur Rinpoche and Lama Zopa Rinpoche”). Lama Tenzin Osel Rinpoche was installed, having arrived from Sera Je in south India with brother Kunkyen and father Paco. Little Cherok Lama from Kopan was playing happily in the large enclosed garden area, which also houses the local clinic and school. Kopan’s abbot Lama Lhundup was sick but reappeared smiling, and Geshe Lama Konchog got there just in time. Everyone was waiting in great anticipation for His Holiness to arrive.

Finally, amid much happiness, he came, and that very day, the 23rd, the teachings on loving kindness and bodhicitta began. The Dalai Lama first commented on the tent: “From a distance it looks like a patchwork quilt but inside it is wonderful!” He thought it would do an excellent job in protecting everyone from the sun or rain. It was difficult to imagine so many people were taking teachings from His Holiness. Everything was very orderly and taken care of – from the ground coverings, texts and teaching materials to all the buses and transportation to the pujas. Although the security was tight, it was not obtrusive. The Tibetans looked happy and everyone seemed comfortable. And His Holiness’s teachings were intense, business-like but compassionate.

His Holiness emphasized, “When you meditate on compassion and loving kindness there is no opportunity to cultivate negative mental states. It is virtuous Dharma practice.” He later said, “The water of loving kindness controls the flow of hatred,” stressing again and again the importance of our own mental attitude and “helping, not harming, as the most important precept.” He also reiterated the special connection of Chenrezig with Tibet, the flourishing of Dharma and the welfare of the Tibetan people, the special deity for people who practice compassion.

Apart from the teachings and initiations, the most important event was His Holiness’s visit to the Maitreya land, and his blessing and endorsement of the Maitreya Project. This happened on the early morning of January 27.

While the organization seemed to be smooth on the day, behind the scenes there were stories to tell. Ven. Marcel Bertels recounts how, for example, Gelek Gyatso, called him on the cellular phone and asked urgently, “Where is His Holiness’s cup?”! It turned out to be a very extraordinary day.

Huge colorful appliquéd thangkas of Shakyamuni Buddha and Maitreya Buddha adorned the special structure, while His Holiness – following a visit to the Maitreya Project office – sat on a new, elaborate, beautifully hand-crafted throne. He was surrounded by the resident Theravadan monks from the International Buddhist Council and key monasteries representing different traditions in Bodhgaya. Dr. Ramesh Grover, Maitreya Project’s Indian president, gave a most heartfelt, touching and impassioned welcome: “I prostate before you, Sir. … This is the most important moment of my life.”

His Holiness in reply said, “The construction of such an important statue of Maitreya in this holy and sacred place of Bodhgaya is very welcome. … Now Zopa Rinpoche has committed from his heart and together with Rinpoche the centers and sponsors have taken the courage to make this plan materializes.” (See below.)

Dr. Grover thanked His Holiness. “Your presence is a source of inspiration. We have been able to meet you face to face and feel the glow,” he said. These were moving moments.

In a dramatic turn later, a fire broke out, destroying the large Shakyamuni Thangka and part of the temporary tent structure on the Maitreya land. “One Sera monk, originally from Kopan, saved the huge Maitreya thangka by climbing up the structure and releasing it,” said Peter Kedge. Ven. Jimpa Drasang and the carpenters displayed enormous courage by running in and out of the tent to rescue as much as they could.

Towards the end of His Holiness’s teachings that day, following the Chenrezig initiation, there was an unexpected downpour of rain. His Holiness looked up in surprise but continued teaching. While people were fully protected under the teaching tent, heavy rain meant the Maitreya puja scheduled for the same evening to bless the Maitreya land had to be canceled. Mini-pujas were conducted on buses and by a few monks at the land. It was felt by most that all these conditions were auspicious signs.

In any event, the Maitreya puja took place on the Maitreya land the next day, presided over by Jadhor Rinpoche the abbot of Namgyal Monastery, together with Lama Osel, Geshe Lama Konchog, Lama Lhundup and the Kopan and Sera monks.

His Holiness also officially opened the new Shechen monastery in Bodhgaya and participated in the start of an Inner Peace/World Peace walk on January 28 (see “Monks Walk through Asia for Inner Peace/World Peace” ). The next day he blessed the start of the Nyingma Mönlam Prayers for World Peace. The Dalai Lama of Tibet then left Bodhgaya the following morning to streets lined with crowds of people of all nationalities, waving and offering khatas.

It was hard to leave the compassionate energy of Bodhgaya. This was a special time, and a great achievement for Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Lama Osel to be able to host His Holiness to teach in Bodhgaya and to bless the Maitreya land. The whole event was intended as an offering to His Holiness, according to Ven. Marcel Bertels. By all accounts, Rinpoche was very pleased with the result. It is evident – and was indicated by His Holiness – that this project, initiated with great courage by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, is something that goes beyond the FPMT, beyond sects and beyond traditions, and maybe even beyond religion. It is bringing and will bring many different people together for the sake of love, humanity and peace. For, in Lama Zopa’s words, the essence of Maitreya Buddha is the loving kindness and compassion of all the Buddhas.”

 

What is the Maitreya Project?

By Peter Kedge, Director of the Maitreya Project International

The Maitreya Project is a major Buddhist development at the place of Buddha’s enlightenment, Bodhgaya, in Bihar, India. The founder of the FPMT, Lama Thubten Yeshe (1935-1984), had the wish to build a large statue of the future Buddha Maitreya here, which is now being fulfilled by his heart-disciple Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche.

The focus of the project will be a 500-foot-tall statue of Maitreya – equivalent to a 50-story building. The project, occupying 45 acres of land, will encompass a monastery, nunnery, teaching center, visitor accommodation and, under the umbrella of the project, a school, a hospital incorporating Ayurvedic, Tibetan and allopathic medical systems, as well as extensive other social welfare projects.

The statue will be built, in accordance with the wishes of Lama Zopa Rinpoche, to last 1,000 years. Rinpoche has said: “Anybody who does prostrations, circumambulations, makes offerings, even just comes to see the statue, creates the cause of enlightenment, even if the motivation is impure, not Dharma. These actions become the cause for liberation from samsara and the cause to achieve good rebirth in the next life with much happiness. And they become the cause of happiness in this life, health, long life, wealth, all the happiness one desires.”

 

“From the depths of my heart I appreciate and applaud this wonderful project”

–His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Early in the morning of January 27, His Holiness blessed the land in the holy place of Bodhgaya where the 500-foot statue of the future Buddha Maitreya is to be built.

“Today I am giving this talk on the occasion of the coming together of many Dharma friends. After this present Shakyamuni Buddha and following the degeneration of Shakyamuni Buddha’s teachings, it is Maitreya who is ready to come as the future Buddha. Now, you have a good plan to construct the image of Maitreya Buddha and for this wonderful project I would like to say many tashi deleks and express my deep appreciation as I rejoice at this virtuous action.

“Relying on certain Mahayana citations and quotations we believe that in this fortunate eon 1,000 Buddhas will appear. This is the time of the fourth Buddha, Buddha Shakyamuni, whose teaching is still existing, and the fifth Buddha will be Maitreya Buddha. Those who are not liberated at the time of the teaching of the preceding Buddhas, these sentient beings or followers are said to become the primary followers and students of the next Buddhas and then obtain emancipation. Because of the bodhicitta and specific prayers of each of the thousand Buddhas, such connections have been taught.

“It is because of this fact that in the land of Snow, or Tibet, there is this diffused tradition and practice of constructing statues and images of Maitreya in most of the temples and monasteries. The construction of such an important statue of Maitreya in this holy and sacred place of Bodhgaya is very welcome. Zopa Rinpoche intimated to me some time ago that Rinpoche’s spiritual guru the late Thubten Yeshe had this plan to construct the Maitreya statue. Now Zopa Rinpoche has committed from his heart and together with Rinpoche the centers and sponsors have taken the courage to make this plan materialize. Now it has become a major scheme.

“You have already started the project and laid some kind of foundation, but there are a lot of things to be done. This project is really wonderful and is the result of great courage and determination. From the depths of my heart I appreciate and applaud this wonderful project and all those people connected with it – the benefactors and all the others who have contributed and are contributing to it. You should realize that this is a very holy and sacred project and I will therefore pray and wish that it will benefit the flourishing of Buddhadharma and the well-being of sentient beings. From your own side it is extremely important to cultivate a correct motivation and try to pray and dedicate the success of this project to the well-being of sentient beings.

“As you know the very name of Lord Maitreya means loving kindness, or love. Love or loving kindness refers to a wish to make sentient beings meet with happiness, and compassion is a wish that sentient beings be separated from suffering. So therefore we should aspire to peace, love and compassion prevailing on earth and everybody living in harmony and peace. Due to such a temporal peaceful environment and existence, gradually all sentient beings are able to purify their minds and gradually achieve enlightenment. We should pray in such a way.

“As you know, Buddhists from all different schools and countries regard this place as very holy and sacred and come here for pilgrimage. After the completion of this huge statue of Maitreya Buddha I’m sure many people out of devotion, and some as visitors, will definitely visit this place. Even in the case of those who might visit this statue as a casual visitor, though they do not have any special faith, I’m sure that merely seeing this holy statue and taking its picture will leave a positive imprint in their minds. So, irrespective of whether one has religious faith or not, I’m sure that this statue will help many people.

“Rinpoche’s expectation is that this image should remain for 1,000 years to come. In terms of the materials that will be used for the construction of it, people are supposed to be doing a lot of research to collect materials that would last for 1,000 years. I’m sure therefore this will provide an opportunity for the technicians to make new discoveries.

“Finally it is my great hope and belief that you will achieve success in the great virtuous actions of preparation, actual construction and completion, and once again I would like to express my appreciation and deep thanks to Zopa Rinpoche and to all those who are involved in organizing and making this a success as well as all the benefactors, constructors, technicians, artisans and local Indian people who are involved in making the project materialize.

[After applause, tea and rice were served to everybody.] It is a very good coincidence that as soon as I finished talking you serve tea and rice – so please enjoy!”