BUILDING THE ZUNI MOUNTAIN STUPA
A book by Shirley Giser, Forward by Tulku Orgyen Phuntsok
The book, Building the Zuni Mountain Stupa, is a chronicle of the building of the Stupa from its inception to its completion. It starts at the very beginning in 1990 when Bhakha Tulku Rinpoche first came to the Gisers' land in the Zuni Mountains, future seat of the retreat center and Stupa, and continues through the Consecration in 2009.
Within the book is a detailed description of the actual building process, including all the rituals and ceremonies that were performed during its construction. It is lovingly written in intimate detail with anecdotes and personal observations during this time period.
Building the Zuni Mountain Stupa takes the reader on a spiritual journey to the heart of Tibetan Buddhism. A Stupa is a physical manifestation of the very pinnacle of Buddhist philosophy, and this book provides deep insight into its meaning and significance, including many esoteric rituals that are seldom seen or performed.
The book is filled with full-color photographs of our precious teachers and the dedicated workers who brought the Stupa to fruition. It contains photos which depict the building process, step-by-step as well as the rituals and ceremonies performed during the building. Building the Zuni Mountain Stupa is a must-read for anyone who has visited the Stupa or is curious about how one becomes manifest.
The building aspects of the Stupa were meticulously researched through interviews with the primary builders, especially Stanley Giser. The information on all the many rituals and ceremonies along with their significance were ascertained through interviews with Tulku Orgyen, Lama Urgyen, and Bhakha Tulku Rinpoche. Other information was gleaned through the Internet and other written sources.
Excerpt from Tulku Orgyen's Forward:
"Shirley Giser is a long-time Dharma practitioner and a devoted student of Bhakha Rinpoche. She was Treasurer of the Board of Vairotsana Foundation New Mexico during construction of the Stupa, and she also contributed her artistic and practical skills in numerous ways to ensure that the project met with complete success. She also witnessed all of her husband Stanley Giser's (in partnership with Matthew Bowers) work on the Stupa. Stanley was the central pillar and "master mind" of all details of the Stupa's construction. Because she and Stanley continue to live near the Stupa, Shirley is blessed to see the Stupa every single day. By living on this serene land without any distractions and in the presence of the Stupa, Shirley has had the opportunity to reflect thoroughly on the auspicious circumstances of how this Stupa came to be. With such intimate experience and clear memory of the works and people involved, Shirley has written, Building the Zuni Mountain Stupa with eloquence and clarity. It is my heartfelt aspiration that this book will inspire everyone who reads it, so that each of us rekindles our commitment to engage in virtuous works for the benefit of all sentient beings."
The book is being offered for $35 plus $5 for shipping costs. Because of the many color photos, printing costs were very expensive. In order to keep the price as reasonable as possible, the book is being offered at just slightly above the printing cost. All proceeds from sales go directly to Vairotsana Foundation New Mexico.
To order a book, please send a check to Vairotsana Foundation NM c/o Mary Lebus at P.O. Box 485, Grants, NM 87020. Or use the online option below. Be sure to include a shipping address and a note explaining that the money is for the book. Allow approximately two weeks between placing your order and receiving the book. If you wish to contact Shirley Giser directly, you may reach her at sandsgiser@gmail.com.
May the Stupa’s blessings continue to radiate perpetually throughout the universe, and may all beings be benefitted.