"The Tibetan Cultural Center"

The Tibetan Cultural Center is situated in the rolling hills of south central Indiana. Entering the property is a parking or vendor's area on the left, then a winding road takes you down through beautiful forest populated with various Oak and Ash. You pass the Jangchub Chorten to the left, and then the Tibetan Cultural Center on the right. Across from the TCC is the Kalachakra Stupa. Farther down the road (lane) is the Chamtse Ling Interfaith Temple. The TCC was originated by Thubten J. Norbu (the brother of the Dalai Lama) and is now run by his son. The Dalai Lama has come, several times, to the TCC. He transmitted the Kalachakra Empowerments in 1999, then he dedicated the Chamtse Ling Temple in 2003.

Sign at the Entrance to the Tibetan Cultural Center	The Jangchub Chorten	The Kalachakra Stupa
The Tibetan Cultural Center	The Chamtse Ling Interfaith Temple	The Altar at Chamtse Ling
Interfaith Gifts	Interfaith Gifts

"The Heart Shrine Relic Tour"

Below are the photographs of the Maitreya altar and the relics. The altar was set in the center of the room on a square table. One large and two small Maitreya statues sat in the center surrounded with offerings brought by those that came to see the relics. On each of the four corners sat a locked plastic box containing the relics and artifacts. Cushions were set around the alter for anyone to stop and meditate. The Shakyamuni Buddha's relics were removed from the case to be used in a blessing where they were touched to the head of the person being blessed, while a prayer was said.

 

The photos of the relics are very large files, so that everyone can get a good look at them. They may load VVVVEEEERRRRYYY slowly on your computer(You, probably, will need a large amount of RAM.). Smaller files are available and are marked, but they are not as interesting as the closeups.
Below the pictures, you will find a link to a Word doc. that will list the relics. You can look at the picture and read the W.doc simultaniously, although, with the size of these files, you should be able to read the cards that accompany each relic.
Below that, you will find links to The Maitreya Project, The Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition, The Tibetan Cultural Center, and to Gar Drolma Choling.

Maitreya Altar	Maitreya Altar	Relics #1 Smaller File
Relics #2 Smaller File	Relics #3 Smaller File	Relics #4 Smaller File

Click Here for the document listing the relics.

Links

The Maitreya Project
http://www.maitreyaproject.org/
The Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition
http://www.fpmt.org/
The Tibetan Cultural Center
http://www.tibetancc.com/
Gar Drolma Choling
http://www.gardrolma.org/

I want to thank, again, the persons at the Tibetan Cultural Center and those with the Heart Shrine Relic Tour for graciously allowing me to take these photos.
Ken/

 

"May all beings have happiness and the causes of happiness,
May they be without sorrow and the causes of sorrow,
And, may they never be separated from the sacred happiness that is sorrowless,
May they always live in equinimity, having neither too much attachment nor too much aversion,
And, may they always live in the belief of the equality of all that live."