I've raised £4000 to honour Bhante Sangharakshita with a painting of his vision in the cave
Organised by Maitripa
Story
A Gift to Honour Bhante Sangharakshita
“One night I found myself as it were out of the body and in the presence of Amitābha, the Buddha of Infinite Light, who presides over the western quarter of the universe. The colour of the Buddha was a deep, rich, luminous red, like that of rubies, though at the same time soft and glowing, like the light of the setting sun. While his left hand rested on his lap, the fingers of his right hand held up by the stalk a single red lotus in full bloom and he sat, in the usual cross-legged posture, on an enormous red lotus that floated on the surface of the sea.” Excerpt From: The Rainbow Road from Tooting Broadway to Kalimpong, Complete Works, p.345
In 1949 Bhante’s vision in the Virupaksha Guha cave was life-changing. His vision of Amitabha holding the lotus convinced him that it was time to seek formal ordination and join the lineage of the Buddha. Later he founded the Triratna Buddhist Order, in which we are continuing the lineage of the Buddha to this day.
To honour our teacher Bhante Sangharakshita and to mark his fifth death anniversary (this October) Suvajra, Vimaladasa and Maitripa have commissioned a beautiful painting by Chintamani. This painting will depict Bhante’s vision in the cave and will be hung in Adhisthana, serving as a powerful reminder of the teachings and guidance that Bhante has given us.
The painting fills a gap in Triratna. Indeed, there are currently no powerful images of Bhante's crucial vision available. For that reason, prints of the painting will be made available in Adhisthana’s bookshop, giving us all the opportunity to connect with Bhante's vision and Amitabha in our own homes.
Suvajra, Vimaladasa and Maitripa have commissioned Chintamani on faith. They are now in need of 4000 pounds to pay for the painting, and this is where your help comes in. Your contribution, no matter how large or small, will help to ensure that this project can be completed and shared with the wider community.
We urge you to consider making a donation of 50, 100 or 250 pounds. Your generosity will not only support the creation of this beautiful work of art as an offering to Bhante, but will also be a contribution to the continued growth and flourishing of our sangha.
Any money beyond this amount will be donated to the Urgyen Sangharakshita Trust. The image depicted on this page is a photo the huge thangka by Chintamani, on which the painting will be based.
