Planting trees at the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Australia

The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion is the largest stupa in the Western world: a beacon that illuminates the world with peace and compassion.

When visiting the Bendigo site in 1981, Lama Thubten Yeshe inspired Ian Green to create a full-size replica of the Gyantse Stupa in Tibet. No small task, but construction began around 2008. Apart from the Stupa, the site has expanded to include a multi-faith Peace Garden with sacred statues, ponds, waterfall, memorial walls, and extensive landscaped gardens. It is now the most visited tourism site in the City of Bendigo with over 30,000 visitors annually!

A recent photo of the Great Stupa

Tree planting at the stupa
The monumental scale and scope of the Great Stupa is testimony to the dedication of Ian and Judy Green to fulfil Lama Yeshe’s and Lama Zopa’s vision of the site. Now this dedication extends to creating a peaceful and harmonious garden setting featuring shrines and Tibetan Prayer wheels and a grove of scared Bodhi (Pepal) Trees.

Early planting saw Crepe Myrtles, Manchurian Pears and Chinese Elms placed in three large circles around the Stupa: memorial trees dedicated to deceased Buddhist loved ones.

More recent plantings have been established on behalf of the Global Tree Initiative (GTI) following the inspiration of Tenzin Osel Hita and dedicated to various people and causes,

“To the illumination of Lama Yeshe’s vision, may its brilliance shine forever.”

“To the health and long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Tenzin Osel Hita and all sentient beings.”

“May we continue to plant trees so that we may breathe air on the planet.”

“To peace and harmony amongst all faiths.”

The work of establishing the Great Stupa and gardens has been undertaken by many contractors and a team of gardeners, all on land owned by the Green Family. Several trees were planted and dedicated by Ven. Thubten Gyatso, who also created and built a garden design at Thubten Shedrup Ling Monastery.

A recent photo of the beautiful garden at the Great Stupa

The Great Stupa hosts festivals and gatherings such as a Vegetarian and Animal Blessing Festival and the Illumin8 Festival of Lights which alone attracts 15,000 people for the night-time lightshow.

Have a look at the ILLUMIN8 Festival of Light and Peace, happening the 4th of June at the Great Stupa.

What is a stupa?
A stupa is a symmetrical temple-like structure filled with holy relics and thousands of auspicious mantras, printed, rolled, and tightly packed into the structure. Buddhists believe that just seeing a stupa or feeling the wind that has blown over a stupa, brings positive imprints to the mind! Therefore, devotees walk around stupas, turn the prayer wheels, and say prayers as much as they possibly can, to generate even more positive imprints (merit).

Thank you to Ian Green, the director of the Great Stupa and Ven. Thubten Gyatso, for planting and dedicating trees at the Great Stupa!

We appreciate your incredible work!

Images below:
– Ven. Gyatso and Jill, one of our Australian coordinators.
– The Liquidambar tree, sponsored by Tenzin Ösel Hita.
– Displays from the 2018 ILLUMIN8 festival.
– Thubten Shedrup Ling Monastery garden.