His Holiness inaugurates and consecrates the Mitreya Bodhi Stupa

December 2, 2009, Gurpa, Bihar, report by Tashi Paljor, photos taken by Tashi Paljor
 

His Holiness inaugurated and consecrated the Mitreya Bodhi Stupa situated on a hilltop where there is the Mahakassappa cave (Rewo Jakhang ). Rewo Jakhang the Holy Kukkutta Padagiri is located in Gurpa, Bihar, two hours’ drive from Bodhgaya.

The Stupa opening ceremony organizers and the head of the local Indian village welcomed His Holiness on reaching Gurpa. After taking a short rest His Holiness climbed for almost an hour up the hill to the Holy cave of Rewo Jakhang.

Bikkhu S.T. Annanda received His Holiness, and the Stupa was duly consecrated and inaugurated.

Bhikkuni Sik Tsi the sponsor of the Stupa, Master Ching Yao and many sangha were present at the ceremony. "We are blessed by His Holiness accepting the invitation and gracing the ceremony," said Bhikku Annanda of the Asian Buddhist Culture Center Bodhgaya and one of the main organizers of the event.

The Stupa was dedicated to Buddha Mitreya, Maha Kassappa and Arya  Asanga. According to the texts, the latter meditated in this cave for twelve years.