A statue of Padmasambhava in the form of Guru Nangsi Zilnoen is being built in Takela, Lhuntse in the eastern part of the Kingdom of Bhutan to bring peace and harmony to the world as prophesied by Lord Buddha and the Great Dzogchen masters.

Within 2013 the construction of the enormous bronze statue of Guru Nangsi Zelnen in Tangmachu is expected to be completed. The 151-foot tall statue will be seated on a 38-foot high lotus-base on a hill in Takila, overlooking Tangmachu village.

According to Khenpo Karpo, who is managing the project, the statue is being built, following the prophesy of Lam Sonam Zangpo, a renowned Bhutanese Yogi, who said that a statue built in Takila would be most beneficial to the stability, peace and prosperity of the country and the world.

Guru site at Takila. Source: Druk Odiyana

“Once completed it’ll be a major attraction for many people around the world, just like the Jarung-Kharshor stupa in Nepal and Dorjiden (Bodh Gaya) in India,” Khenpo Karpo said.

According to him, the groundbreaking ceremony to build the statue was done in 2005, but the actual work started only in 2008. Today, there are around 25 workers, many expatriates, and the structure of the base has been completed. On top of the base, a steel frame of the main statue has been welded in place.

The lotus throne of the statue will be big enough to house three different lhakhangs: the Choeku lhakhang in the upper storey, the Longku lhakhang in the middle storey, and the Trulku lhakhang and museum on the ground floor.

The project occupies a 27-acre area and, besides being a pilgrimage site, it will also serve as an area, where Buddhists can meditate and retreat, according to the khenpo.

Takila is about 13km from Tangmachu.

Source : kunselonline & www.drukodiyana.com.bt