Their party explored, sometimes on horseback,
the mountains around Crestone. His Holiness while traveling
with Hanne Strong stopped at where the stupa now stands and
pointed out the auspicious signs.
He pointed out mountain shapes that looked like elephants
lying down and other symbolic forms. These, he explained,
were signs of the propitiousness of this particular location.
It has been reported that he said that in the future the practitioners
who came here to practice would attain realization. Different
people who were with this party tell of different predictions
that His Holiness made at that time. The Karmapa also foresaw
that this special location would provide safe haven for the
teachings and for the Tibetan people. After the passing of
the 16th Karmapa his Eminence Jamgon Kontrul initiated the
building of the Tashi Gomang Stupa with many auspicious doors
which represent the 84,000 paths of the Buddha. He gave very
specific instructions on how the Stupa was to be done. Khenpo
Karthar Rinpoche and Bardo Tulku along with a small but highly
dedicated number of students spent the next decade completing
what now stands as a significant expression of the connection
with the blessings of the Kagyu Lineage. It was consecrated
in July of 1996. His Holiness suggested that great benefit
would come if the following were built in Crestone: a monastery,
a retreat center, a library to house the sacred teachings
of ancient Buddhist wisdom, a Tibetan medical institute, and
a lay community for Tibetans.
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