Dalai Lama Visits New Maitreya Statue In India

[Pema Dorje]

I was on facebook today and came across this:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?pid=4819806&id=339188887615&fbid=416353157615

Is this the new statue project that Lama Zopa Rinpoche was working on, the Maitreya Project I believe? Or is this something else? Either way the statue looks splendid.

[Caz]

I was on facebook today and came across this:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?pid=4819806&id=339188887615&fbid=416353157615

Is this the new statue project that Lama Zopa Rinpoche was working on, the Maitreya Project I believe? Or is this something else? Either way the statue looks splendid.

Nice ! 

The one in india looks to be huge, its a shame they cant get the project of the ground. 

[t]

I don't think that is the Maitreya Project...as per details below

http://www.maitreyaproject.org/en/index.html
The focus of Maitreya Project’s activities is building:
    * a 500ft/152m bronze statue of the future buddha Maitreya in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh State.
    * a 150ft/45m statue of Maitreya in Bodhgaya, Bihar State.

The statue should look like this...

[Pema Dorje]

I don't think that is the Maitreya Project...as per details below

http://www.maitreyaproject.org/en/index.html
The focus of Maitreya Project’s activities is building:
    * a 500ft/152m bronze statue of the future buddha Maitreya in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh State.
    * a 150ft/45m statue of Maitreya in Bodhgaya, Bihar State.

The statue should look like this...

Ah i see. it is good nonetheless.

[t]

Ah i see. it is good nonetheless.

Of course, every representation of the Enlightened Mind evokes in the minds of all who behold it their own very inherent qualities...
Sadhu!Sadhu!Sadhu!

[Caz]

I don't think that is the Maitreya Project...as per details below

http://www.maitreyaproject.org/en/index.html
The focus of Maitreya Project’s activities is building:
    * a 500ft/152m bronze statue of the future buddha Maitreya in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh State.
    * a 150ft/45m statue of Maitreya in Bodhgaya, Bihar State.

The statue should look like this...

Eventually i hope, It would be certainly something id have to go and see 

[Yeshe Zopa]

I don't think that is the Maitreya Project...as per details below

http://www.maitreyaproject.org/en/index.html
The focus of Maitreya Project’s activities is building:
    * a 500ft/152m bronze statue of the future buddha Maitreya in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh State.
    * a 150ft/45m statue of Maitreya in Bodhgaya, Bihar State.

The statue should look like this...

There is a Relics Tour currently in the UK supporting this project.


I didn't fully understand but I think my guru was saying that there were some dodgy land deals linked to the proposed site. Well, it is India! LOL

[Caz]

I don't think that is the Maitreya Project...as per details below

http://www.maitreyaproject.org/en/index.html
The focus of Maitreya Project’s activities is building:
    * a 500ft/152m bronze statue of the future buddha Maitreya in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh State.
    * a 150ft/45m statue of Maitreya in Bodhgaya, Bihar State.

The statue should look like this...

There is a Relics Tour currently in the UK supporting this project.


I didn't fully understand but I think my guru was saying that there were some dodgy land deals linked to the proposed site. Well, it is India! LOL

If theres money in it, someones in it ! 

[heybai]

Re: The Maitreya Project.  I know some of you think this is a worthy project and don't mean do insult you or your teachers, but from what I read last year is sounds like a giant boondoggle.  The money ought to have been used for pressing education and medical needs. 

Does Asia need another giant Buddhist statue?

[Caz]

Re: The Maitreya Project.  I know some of you think this is a worthy project and don't mean do insult you or your teachers, but from what I read last year is sounds like a giant boondoggle.  The money ought to have been used for pressing education and medical needs. 

Does Asia need another giant Buddhist statue?

The building of it as well there is inclusion of education facilities and a hospital so i heard as well Heybai 

[heybai]

I know, Caz.  I hope the educational and welfare facilities turn out to be top-notch and that all the naysayers (including me) turn out to be wrong.  I fear, however, that this project has already wasted an enormous amount of money (in graft, as has been reported). 

Don't know.  Maybe in the long-run it will be a great achievement.  Nothing would please me more.

[Caz]

It would certainly be something to marvel at ! If and when ! 

[Tsongkhapafan]

Re: The Maitreya Project.  I know some of you think this is a worthy project and don't mean do insult you or your teachers, but from what I read last year is sounds like a giant boondoggle.  The money ought to have been used for pressing education and medical needs. 

Does Asia need another giant Buddhist statue?

Good point, but everyone who sees an image of Buddha receives an indestructible imprint for enlightenment in their mind, including birds, animals and insects.  This imprints helps them in their future lives whereas education and medical support helps people only in this one, short life.  I'm not saying we don't need money for social care but future lives are more important than this one life and a Buddha statue like this will benefit people other than humans, therefore it gets my vote!

[Yeshe Zopa]

I rejoice in the building of the statue and the community facilities and every rupee spent in that cause.

Echoing my earlier post, it seems from my little knowledge that not much is ever constructed in India without corruption and bribery. It's not always the case, but I can recall hotels which fell down, motorways which crumbled in weeks etc etc. - inferior construction due to funds lining various pockets.  If they don't disappear first as the corrupt police tip them off, local officials get arrested on corruption charges and their successor condemns them, and is arrested himself on corruption charges....and so it continues.

The statue won't do much good if it falls down at the first sign of bad weather, so I hope at least the constructors are honest.

It is a cause worth supporting and we can't be responsible for the karma of those who line their pockets in the process.  Best to budget such a project accordingly and allow for the various people each topslicing their percentage at each level.   Not cynical, just realistic. ;)