NEW Blue Lotus Temple STATUE Donations!

221 Dean Street,Woodstock IL 60098

24 June, 2023

Description

Dearest Sangha, I have recently returned from a sacred and important trip of repair and reconnection in Vietnam. As we pilgrimaged to various Buddhist holy sites, it had a remarkable impact on me. I found many people worshiping monks, statues, holy places. I found people building shrines to past teachers. Devotion like this has often been so sacred and beautiful to me— but this time it was also somewhat troubling. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about what I saw. Eventually we made it to the late, great master teacher and Vietnamese monastic,Thich Nhat Hanh. I saw so many people there coming to pay respects and worship at his new shrine and resting place. I met a man who believed coming to pray to Hanh would bring him good luck. I was happy for him, I know mind is the forerunner of all states, so I believe he may indeed be lucky if he believes he is. But for days after I couldn’t stop thinking about what I saw. Thich Nhat Hanh is a human being. I am also. All our monks are. We are flawed, sometimes broken, sometimes unclear, uncentered. Our job is so important- we’ve devoted our lives to serving people and passing along the teachings of the Buddha in a way that updates the teachings for modern times. But I don’t believe we should be worshiped in any way. It reminded me of one of my first commitments I made to myself when forming the Blue Lotus Buddhist Temple. I vowed to not let this beautiful place be about me, or any person, or even any group of specific people. I wanted to build a shrine and holy place for you to come practice, not to come worship me. I believe we’ve done this well. I’m grateful that, for the most part, people come and understand the monsastics and our community are here to develop and cultivate their own practice, to figure out the practical application of Buddhist wisdom, not to worship us as individuals. Soon after, a desire grew in my heart to build a monument of sorts to this core principle and soon after we came across the opportunity to experience a 7 foot marble buddha statue that mesmerized me. I felt a deep stirring in me that compelled me to find a way to get this Buddha to Woodstock and to place it in front of our temple. I want all to know, for all time, this place is deeply dedicated to principles, not personalities— even my own. I humble ask you to support my goal however you can. I am asking for donations to cover $15,000 to acquire and deliver this buddha statue to the Blue Lotus, to be mounted outside for all to see and worship and to remember, we believe in the principles set out by The Buddha, and we dedicate this place to the practice of those teachings. However you can help, know I am so grateful. Bhante Sujatha