Mani Peace Wall
Project Updates
“There is nothing that benefits as much as generating a mind of compassion filled with thoughts of loving kindness. Nothing else is of any use”
— Venerable Bhakha Tulku Rinpoche
The Mani stone and Mani wall tradition was made famous by Queen Bhrikuti, the wife and consort of Songtsen Gampo (Tibetan: སྲོང་བཙན་སྒམ་པོ) who was the 33rd Tibetan king and founder of the Tibetan Empire. He was a major historical figure credited with the introduction of Buddhism to Tibet, influenced by his Nepali consort Bhrikuti, of Nepal's Licchavi dynasty. He is also regarded as being responsible for the creation of the Tibetan script.
Making or commissioning Mani stones and walls had tremendous power to maintain peace, Queen Bhrikuti was prolific in commissioning Mani walls to be made from carved mani stones and placed over many mountain passes throughout the Himalayan region.
Since that time, the tradition of commissioning mani stones for inconceivable merit and protection from evil has continued unbroken until today. When you support the Mani Peace Wall, each stone carved with the mantra in proper proportions will be placed into the mani peace wall as your substantial vote for peace in this world.
To learn more about Mani’s click here to read a blog post written by Lama Rangbar.
Your Participation and Contribution
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Finish the small stairways on either side of the retaining wall and place handrails for stability
Add two Mani prayer wheels on each end of the wall
Cover the wall circumambulation path with weed blankets and red stones
Finish stone supports for two benches
And finally, write and carve as many Mani stones as will fit on the foundation
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Cement = $200
Hand railings x 2 = $750
Prayer wheel assembly welding bearings and materials = $300
Pathway preparation, red gravel and weed cloth = $250
Bench support blocks = $115
One more Dremel battery powered drill = $175
Cutting bits for Dremel drill carving of the stones = $175
Benefactors can now participate by supporting the carving of one mani stone at a time! Ösel Dorje will carve and paint individual mani stones for whoever sponsors this activity. So even if you cannot participate in person, by supporting the carving of a Mani stone, you are linking your own continuum to the Mani Peace Wall substantially and thereby effectively placing a stone in your name or someone else’s name for their connection and benefit.
Any amount can go toward supporting the carving of a Mani stone, however, if you wish to sponsor an entire stone in your name or for your family, friends or someone who has passed away, this will range from $108 up to $300 per stone depending on size and syllables in the mantra. Some stones are made purchased blue stone and others from riverbed stones collected locally.
One of the best ways to contribute to the Mani Peace Wall is to come to TKL in Big Indian, NY for a few days now and then, and especially on Mani Peace Wall weekends, and help carve mani stones.
This is both fun, meritorious, and meditative.