The Living Peace Award Presented to the Dalai Lama
Inaugural award presented to His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, at the Great Stupa in the Colorado Rockies.
(PRWEB) September 23, 2006 -- Inaugural award presented to His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, at the Great Stupa in the Colorado Rockies.
The Living Peace Award is given to individuals or groups who live peace in their lives and thus inspire others. The Great Stupa is the symbol of this award. It is a sacred monument dedicated to peace. Nestled in the Colorado Rockies, the stupa is also a symbol of the longing of countless Americans for peace, at home and abroad. Peace is not a choice for some; it is imperative for all. It is the only way forward for humanity and our planet.
The Great Stupa is a symbol of peace. Its purpose is to promote peace. It represents the ultimate human potential, which is peace of mind and body. The stupa is a physical representation of enlightenment. Enlightenment is free from struggle and aggression, radiating inner and outer peace.
Inspired by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, the great meditation master who worked to propagate harmony and peace in an enlightened society, the stupa was built under the supervision of his eldest son and heir, Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. After more than fourteen years of construction, most of it by hundreds of volunteer workers and artisans, it was consecrated in 2001. Throughout the years of building, spiritual leaders came from around the world to conduct meditation, prayer and other rituals.
An American symbol of peace
As a symbol of peace, a stupa transcends all boundaries. The word “stupa” itself is becoming part of America’s vocabulary, as is appropriate in a multi-cultural, pluralistic country.
The Great Stupa is the largest and most elaborate of all stupas built in the United States. Numerous experts from many walks of life, from all over the country, were attracted to work on this project, inspired by its grandeur and profound significance. Designed to last for generations, the stupa is made of a unique mix of concrete specially developed for this project, and recognized as an outstanding achievement of American concrete technology. The statue of the Standing Buddha that greets all visitors to the stupa was cast in the New Jersey foundry of the American sculptor, Seward Johnson, who generously sponsored the work. Today, the Great Stupa has become a landmark of the State of Colorado, attracting visitors of all faiths from around the world.
In these times of unrelenting conflict when America is so often associated in people’s minds with aggressive acts, it must be seen and understood that there are many Americans who hold to the fundamental values of a nation proclaiming peace, liberty and justice for all. They share this aspiration with peoples of all countries and cultures. Aggression often seems the most direct and expedient way to solve a problem but it is fundamentally unstable and will never last. Peace is fundamentally strong and long lasting.
The award
This peace award acknowledges those who not only wish for peace, but who are an embodiment of peace in themselves, living it daily. Through their determination, they have decided to follow the way of peace, not aggression. They are an inspiration to all of us: those of us who have suffered directly or indirect as a result of war or aggression, as well as those who face any form of hardship or sacrifice.
This award will be presented by periodically to individuals who, through their lives, work and impact on society, are living peace. Because the four sides of the stupa represent different qualities of human nature -- intention, clear seeing, exertion and accomplishment -- this award may be given to individuals who manifest peace in those different areas. It could also be given to groups and organization that embody these principles.
The award was established in 2006, by Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, the spiritual head of Shambhala, a worldwide network of meditation centers. Shambhala takes its name from a legendary kingdom that embodied enlightened society.
The Living Peace Program
Associated with the Living Peace Award will be a Living Peace Program. This program will be international in scope. It will work with and support existing initiatives for peace wherever these are taking place. It will also initiate new, creative projects to awaken and strengthen the aspiration of people throughout the world for peace. Work on designing the program will begin following the presentation of the Living Peace Award to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Media Advisory: For media wishing for further information, please first visit the Press Center page at www.shambhalamountain.org. The Dalai Lama will not be available for any one-on-one interviews during this visit. Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche will be available for media interviews.
For media questions, please contact:
Shambhala Mountain Center - Brian Spielmann 303-545-0062 ext 102 or 720-771-1253 (cell)
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See the original story at: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2006/09/prweb441172.htm
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