The Great Stupa of Dharmakaya Which Liberates Upon Seeing
The Great Stupa of Dharmakaya has been built to last for over 1,000 years. The finest and most enduring materials have been used throughout the structure. The shape of the Stupa represents the Buddha, crowned and seated in the meditation posture on a throne. His crown is the top spire; his head is the square at the spire's base; his body is the vase shape; his legs are the four steps of the lower terrace; and the base is his throne. The Stupa stands 108 feet tall and contains three levels. A 48-foot square base with gates, stairways and openings on all four sides form the lower level. Inside is an assembly hall 33 feet square and 24 feet high. In its center is a large, golden statue of the Buddha sculpted in the Gandaran style. Most stupas are sealed monuments. A most unusual aspect of The Great Stupa of Dharmakaya is that the Hall of the Buddha on the first level is open to the public. The second level, reached by interior stairs, contains a small chamber, 32 feet square and 14 feet high. Here there is a three-dimensional Chakrasamvara mandala, as well as statues, paintings and frescoes throughout. The third vase-shaped level of the Stupa houses a round chamber 19 feet in diameter and 16 feet high that contains a statue of Vajrasattva. On top of this level is the spire, which consists of 13 disks representing stages of enlightenment that narrow at the top, crowned by a golden moon, sun and jewel. The Stupa is surrounded by a terraced park, nearly 200 feet in diameter, of lawns, trees, gardens and walkways.
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