News from Zalaszanto

The Peace Stupa stands on a mountain 316 meters high overlooking the lake Balaton. It is Europe's largest stupa standing 30 meters high and 24 meter wide. The Stupa contains the teachings and relics of Buddha, a “tree of life” 24 meters high. The statue of
Buddha was created in South Korea.

The Stupa symbolizes the mind of Buddha and hiswisdom, compassion and love toward all livingbeings. I t symbolizes peace, bliss and enlightenment.

Tenzin Gyatso, His Holiness the 14 Dalai Lama, consecrated the Stupa on the 17 of June, 1993 with great joy. This monument was erected through the initiative of the Korean Buddhist monk, Venerable Bob Jon. Ven. Bob Jon is the president of the Buddhist Peace Stupa Foundation in Hungary. The Tibetan monks offered tremendous help and support in the realization of this project.

In1990, the mayor of Zalaszántó, Mr. Huszti Zoltán Ferenc, suggested Ven. Bob Jon the hill Világosvár for the “lighthouse of peace”.
Hungarian architects and builders designed and built the Stupa, with public and private supports from Hungary and Austria. The works were started in March 1992 and completed by the end of September. The creation of this sanctuary of peace would not have been possible without the considerate support of the councillors and villagers of Zalaszántó and the Upper Balaton Forestry and Wood Processing Estate. The building cost amounted to approximately 40 million forints. Generous donations came from South Korea and several European countries.

May the rays of peace shine from the stupa, here in the Park of Human Rights, and reach the minds of mankind all over the world.
At the request of Ven. Bob Jon (Sunim), the presidentof the Peace Stupa Foundation, His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang appointed Ven. Lama Konchok Lhundup and Ven. Lama Konchok Jigme as resident Dharma-teachers at the Peace Stupa in 2004.

Under the direction of Ven. Bob Jon, the two resident Lamas began an overall renovation of the Stupa in 2006. With their hard work and dedication and the support of many dharma friends, the Stupa was completely renovated within the same year.
His Holiness the Drigung Kyabgon Chestang performed an elaborate consecration of the renovated Stupa on the 21st of April, 2007 followed by a week of great teachings.

PRACTISING AT THE STUPA While staying at the Peace Stupa, you should leave behind your worldly intentions. First, you should take refuge in the Three Jewels and generate the mind of Enlightenment by reciting: In the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha most excellent, I take refuge until enlightenment is attained. By the accumulated merit of generosity and other good deeds, may I attain the Buddhahood for the sake of all sentient beings. The right motivation should be developed by reciting the Four Immeasurable: May all sentient beings, who are endless as the sky and who were our mothers in the past, reach happiness and the cause of happiness. May they be separated from suffering and the causes of suffering. May they not be separated from happiness which is free fromsuffering. May they rest in equanimity that is free from attachment and aversion. Then religious acts can be performed, like offering candles or prostrating again and again in front of the Stupa. While circumambulating, it is recommended to recite the following mantra: NAMO BHAGAVATE RATNA KETU RAJAYA TATHAGATAYA ARHATE SAMYAKSAMBUDDHAYA TADYATHA OM RATNE RATNE MAHARATNE RATNA BIJAYE SWAHA	By these religious acts negative factors will decrease and positive factors increase. Finally, the merit accumulated through these religious acts should be dedicated to the complete liberation of all sentient beings by wishing: By the merit I've accumulated, may I overcome all wrong attitudes and reach the omniscient state.May all sentient beings, who are suffering in the waves of birth, old age, illness and death, be freed fromthe ocean of existence. And: Precious and highest Mind of Enlightenment: where it is not born, may it arise; where it is born, may it never decline, but increase ever more. ATTITUDE Please, avoid smoking, as well as consuming meat and alcohol on the Stupa premises. Also, refrain from unnecessary and loud talking and do not behave in any other manner that might upset others. Please, respect the meditation periods and ensure that practitioners are not disturbed.	SUPPORT The maintenance and preservation of the Stupa Complex entail considerable expenses. In order to meet them, we are dependent on your help and ask you sincerely to support this unique place by your generous donation. Be assured that your contribution will be used only for the maintaining of this complex. Your can entrust your offering to one of the monks, who gives you a receipt, or deposit it in a donation box. Alternatively you may credit your donation to our below mentioned account with 'Peace Stupa' as the subject: Account number: 12083600-00151597-00100001 Thank you very much for your kind and much appreciated generosity! “The great Yogi who meditates in the rocks and the benefactor who provides him\her food have the interdependence of attaining Buddhahood together. The essence of this interdependence is dedication.” (Jetsun Milarepa )
	Buddhist Peace Stupa H-8353 Zalaszántó, Világosvár hegy 13. Hungary Tel/fax: +36 83 370 466 Mobile: +36 20 594 4430, +36 30 269 4173 Tax number: 19274717-1-20 Great_stupa@yahoo.com, www.stupa.at

Stupa Grafenwörth