Blazing Gloriously Like A Mountain of Gold:
Seating the Lotus Garden Buddha
27 October 2009
Placing the Buddha
Once the mantras were affixed, Mark Good and the Lotus Garden karma team moved into position to strap the Buddha for his ascent. This was a fairly long process because the utmost care had to be taken so that the straps did not damage the Buddha's body.
Photo Credit: Gary Good (crane operator) attaches a strap to the crane's hook while Mark Good (Lotus Garden's contractor) and karma team member Sudie Hargis watch ©2009 Mindrolling International
Photo Credit: Lama Phuntsog and Karma team members ©2009 Mindrolling International
Gary Good, the crane operator, had been standing by as the mantras were placed. He confessed he had hardly slept the night before because he was so worried about the safety of the precious object which lay in his hands. Now it was his turn to take center stage and, assisted by the karma team, he impressed everyone as he raised the Buddha and skillfully maneuvered it into position above the throne.
Photo Credit: Gary Good supervises karma team members at work
©2009 Mindrolling International
Photo Credit: Karma team maneauvers the Buddha into an upright position
©2009 Mindrolling International
Photo Credit: Buddha upright and ready ©2009 Mindrolling International
Photo Credit: Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche, Jetsün Dechen Paldrön, nuns and sangha members watch from the far side of the pond ©2009 Mindrolling International
Photo Credit: The Buddha being raised ©2009 Mindrolling International
Photo Credit: Buddha being lowered to the throne ©2009 Mindrolling International
Everyone held their breath as they watched the Buddha be lifted up and up and then lowered gently into the waiting arms of the karma team members guiding it from atop the pedestal.
Photo Credit: Jessie Hercules (hidden), Chris Jarmon and Lama Phuntsog guide the statue as it is lowered into position on the lotus throne ©2009 Mindrolling International
It was the exhilarating moment which had been anticipated for so long. Applause, cheering and anjali erupted spontaneously. Rinpoche herself looked from every possible angle demanding adjustments until the statue was completely straight.
Photo Credit: Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche checking the straightness of the statue
©2009 Mindrolling International