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Artwork outside the temple

Dipankara@Buddha

Dipankara@Buddha

There is an artificial pond in front of the Nepal-Buddha Pavilion. The Dipankara Buddha in the center of the pond greets the visitors. A legend told in Gandhara says, far back in time when Buddha was a young Sangha monk in his previous life, he made a pledge to the Dipankara Buddha that he will become Buddha. In response to this, the Dipankara Buddha gifted young Buddha with an assurance that he will be Shakyamuni Buddha. In Nepal, a large-scale event takes place which involves the Dipankara Buddha where lay worshippers make offerrings to monks.


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Singh (Lion) statues

Singh (Lion) statues

Singh (Lion) statues which stand at the entrance of the Nepal-Buddha Pavilion are protectors against evil spirits and irreligious visitors who try to trespass. The left Singh is male, and the right, female. The widely opened mouth, sharp teeth, and their gorgonizing glare represents the power to repel evil.


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braces

braces

The outside angle braces of the Nepal-Buddha Pavilion are carved with many different reliefs of Buddha, Avalokiteśvara, disciples of Buddha and others. The fierce beasts depicted in the four corners support the roof and keeps evil spirits away.


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The Center Door

The Center Door

The center door has delicate relief of four buddhas and disciples of Buddha.


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Toran

Toran

On the door of the Nepal-Buddha Pavilion, there is a semicircular carving called toran. Prajnaparamita Goddess is carved in the center of the toran. The toran, being a delicate decor, but also creates a protective ward, shows that this place is a spiritual sanctuary.


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Mani wheel

Mani wheel

Around the Nepal-Buddha Pavilion, 108 Mani wheels are placed, each carved with a Mantra.
When entering the building, one must go around the building clockwise, turning the Mani wheels starting from the front entrance, and enter from the left entrance when you come back to the front of the building.
Every Mani wheel have sutras with the same mantra, and it is said when you turn the Mani wheel, you will receive the same blessing as when you read a sutra.


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KOFUKU-NO-KAGAKU  The Institute for Research in Human Happiness

Copyright© 2008 Ryuho Okawa, Happy Science, IRH Press. All Rights Reserved.