A PILGRIMAGE CENTER IN THE HEARTLAND
Kanwal Prakash Singh
Over the past 30 years, a center of Tibetan culture has been
taking shape on an 80-acre wooded site amidst the rolling hills
of Southern Indiana near I.U. Bloomington. This dream to preserve
and introduce Tibetan Buddhist spirituality and culture to the
West has been in no small part due to the tireless efforts, dedication,
and inspired vision of the late Professor Thubten Jigme Norbu
(Tagtser Rinpoche), the elder brother of His Holiness the Dalai
Lama. Dr. Norbu migrated to the U.S. in 1950 and later settled
in Bloomington, Indiana.
The Tibetan Cultural Center in Bloomington, re-named The Tibetan
Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center (TMBCC) in 2006 by His Holiness
the 14th Dalai Lama (Tenzin Gyatso) who has visited Indiana five
times since 1987. Dalai Lama is the Spiritual Leader of the Tibetan
Buddhism and is the former Ruler of Tibet who has been living
in exile in India since 1959 when he fled his Homeland in the
face of Chinese invasion and occupation of his country. While
the world has looked the other way, the brutal suppression of
Tibetan people in their Homeland and destruction of their ancient
culture has continued to this day.
The Dalai Lama, venerated by his followers as a god-king and
Buddha of Compassion; by many world leaders, as a celebrated Man
of Peace, humanitarian, and wise spiritual leader; and by countless
millions of every faith tradition, admired as a brilliant Spiritual
Light and noble Enlightened Teacher of our times. In deep humility
and unbound grace, with a disarming innocence and hearty laughter,
Dalai Lama introduces himself as just an ordinary Monk.
Today, the TMBCC has several buildings on the site. Past the
colorfully ornate entrance Gate dedicated by His Holiness the
Dalai Lama in 2007, the meandering gravel road takes us to the
Tibetan Cultural Center, a beautifully decorated facility with
rooms for gatherings, displays, banquets, library, office and
gift shop; commemorative Changchub and Kalachakara Chortens (Stupas),
and The Chamtse Ling (Field of Compassion) Temple, dedicated by
Dalai Lama in September 2003 with an Interfaith Prayer Service
and renamed The Kumbum Chamtse Ling Monastery after the Kumbum
Monastery in occupied Tibet. There are the traditional fluttering
prayer-flags strung across outdoor meeting spaces, colorful Mongolian
tents, log cabins placed amidst the natural landscape; and several
large cleared areas for gatherings, fairs, and religious events
and festive ceremonies. Great care is taken to preserve and enhance
the natural beauty of this emerging campus, envisioned as a major
center for learning and culture, meditation and contemplation,
interfaith feasts and festivals, and peace and friendship among
all people.
The TMBCC grounds are a sanctuary of bliss for everyone who comes
in peace, whether they are a Buddhist pilgrims or seekers of spiritual
wisdom; scholars, students, members of the media engaged in comparative
studies of faith traditions or report on a special event; or simply
casual visitors from Indiana, around the U.S.A., or abroad. A
friendly welcome greets each visitor. An unusual stillness and
serenity pervade the grounds, steadies the mind, invites the soul
to witness an all-embracing spirit that seem to gently descend
into the innermost realm of our being.
Tibetan spiritual wisdom in exquisite gold calligraphy, gilded
statues of Buddha, colorful Mandalas and religious artworks, brocaded
ceremonial hangings and covers in brilliant colors, display of
donated sacred articles of Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Native Americans,
Sikh, Jewish, Bahai, Society of Friends, Unitarian Universalist
faith traditions adorn two columns in the center of the sanctuary
space of The Chamtse Ling Temple. Other structures and visual
attractions on the TMBCC campus, their designs and treatments
inspired by traditional Buddhist architecture in the South East
Asia, have similar decorations and adornments on their walls and
ceilings.
Each visual element, natural or a fashioned representation, throughout
the sacred complex draws our mind and sight to the rich traditions
of Tibetan Buddhist faith, to Tibetan history, heritage, the spirit
of an ancient and magnificent people and their unique culture.
Upon reflection, it sets our mind and thoughts on a journey to
times and places that until recently we had only casually known,
never personally visited, but today grace and enrich the spiritual
and cultural fabric of America. To think that this ancient heritage
is now an integral part of our young and expanding national cultural
tapestry is both significant and remarkable. We see echoes of
our own spirituality, cultural connections, and our shared humanity
at many levels, at new frontiers and unimagined crossroads where
advancements in our civilization have placed us today
For me, each such adventure outside my comfort box, every new
pilgrimage of my spirit into the unfamiliar stirs up fresh emotions
and reflections, images and imaginations, deep appreciation and
reverence for those who, with great passion and visions, embarked
on daring journeys in response to events that have shaped their
and our civilization through the ages. I marvel at the universal
human desire and efforts to create a sense of belonging, a place
to call home for our spirit, culture, and innermost stirrings.
The TMBCC, Sikh Temples, Synagogues, ethnic anchors and markers,
religious schools, festive celebrations are our response to that
innate human urge.
During a visit to The TMBCC on the Memorial Day weekend to participate
in a Tibetan Mongolian Festival, the welcome sounds of Buddhist
chants and prayers by the Monks, the birds singing their songs
of Praise, prayer-flags fluttering in the late morning wind, the
inspiring reflections offered by learned and honored guests, all
filled the space with a transforming energy. The scene and spirit
captured my mind. Before me, I saw a warm spirit of friendship
radiate from each guest present for the festivities of the day;
below me, I saw a beautiful patch of Mother Earth in all its majestic
grace and incredible bounty; above me, I saw a blue Sky-Canopy
stretched across unfathomable heavens teaming with millions of
galaxies, each studded with billions of stars. We were witnessing
our unifying faith lessons: reminded of being all a part of One
unfathomable Creation and Divine Mystery; children of One Father
and Mother of All Creation and members of One Human Family. With
compassion as our common universal anchor, we are all mandated
to honor these Truths and remember that a person of faith does
not see others as strangers, aliens, or unworthy of our respect
and thoughtful consideration.
Today, TMBCC is an international pilgrimage site in the Midwest
and a major addition to the spiritual and cultural landscape of
Indiana. The spiritually-rich and welcome spirit of this place
is being exemplified and tirelessly nurtured by Venerable Arjia
Rinpoche, a special emissary of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who
serves as Spiritual leader and President-Director of the TMBCC.
A planned major Learning Institute in ancient and traditional
Tibetan studies will further add to the importance of The Kumbum
Monastery (West).
The daily prayers and teachings by resident Monks, various cultural
and spiritual events and attractions organized by the Center staff
and followers, and faith and spirit of thousands who come in peace
and leave a little of their spiritual imprints behind in this
hallowed ground during their pilgrimage to this place, all contribute
to the spiritually-inviting nature of the area.
On this recent occasion, Mr. Gonchig Ganbold, Counsel General
of Mongolia from Washington D.C., I.U. Vice President, Dr. Patrick
O’Meara, and many others joined Venerable Arjia Rinpoche
to celebrate Tibetan and Mongolian Culture through prayers and
poetry, songs and dances, fun and feasting, cultural displays
and prized gifts, service awards and recognitions, and fellowship
and friendship. I felt blessed to be a part of the festivities
and memorable experience.
Indianapolis, Indiana USA © May 2009
