The project is located at a sacred Buddhist site in the Uguumur Valley known as Heart Hill, just outside of Ulaanbaatar, which is believed to be where one of the revered Jebtsundamba Khutuktu, the spiritual heads of the Gelug lineage of Tibetan Buddhism in Mongolia, lived some 300 years ago, said Fouts, adding, “It is very special and auspicious for the Mongolian people to build symbols of love and Buddhist centers on this site, as well as to receive teachings here.” (Huffington Post)
The 177-foot-tall statue of the bodhisattva Maitreya is so far about 35 per cent complete. From huffingtonpost.com
The 177-foot-tall statue, which is so far about 35 per cent complete, has been modeled on a 17th century gilt-bronze statue sculpted by Zanabazar (1635–1723), the first Jebtsundamba Khutuktu and an influential spiritual leader of the Mongols who enriched and advanced traditional Mongolian culture through the introduction of Buddhist art, philosophy, and culture. Once completed, the statue will be connected to a 354-foot-tall stupa.
The complex will also include a temple dedicated to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, a meditation pavilion for up to 5,000 people, as well as temples and centers representing Buddhist traditions from around the world, educational facilities, an amphitheater, a cinema, and a hotel. Designed as an educational, spiritual, tourism, and cultural center for the entire world, the completed site will be open to the public free of charge. The site will be “a unique place for all spiritual traditions to come together in peace,” said Fouts. (Huffington Post)
Artist's impression of the planned statue and stupa. From grandmaitreya.com
A non-profit, non-governmental organization founded in 2009, the Grand Maitreya Foundation is implementing the Grand Maitreya Project under the spiritual guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama; Mongolian Buddhist leader His Eminence Khamba Lama Gyabje Choijamts Demberel; Lama Jhado Rinpoche; the Venerable Thupten Ngodup, the state oracle of Tibet; and American Buddhist teacher Robert Thurman, who serves as president of Tibet House in New York City.
“The whole concept is one we support—a free expression, forward- and outward-looking and hopeful for the future, of the Buddhist roots of Mongolian culture,” said Thurman’s son, Ganden, the executive director of Tibet House. (Huffington Post)