We on the road to Shambhala

Today we are drawn to The Great Stupa of Dharmakaya

... and we are truly enlightened.

The Great Stupa of Dharmakaya has been built to last for over 1,000 years. The shape of the Stupa represents the Buddha, crowned and seated in the meditation posture on a throne.

The Standing Buddha on the outside

During the Mahayana period of Buddhist development, stupas began to be embellished with various themes of enrichment: the cosmic embrace, opulence, generosity, super-rich, gold, big gates, ornamentation.

A golden statue of the Buddha sculpted in the Gandaran style sits in the first level of the Stupa.

The first floor of the Stupa is open to the public. The second level, reached by interior stairs, contains a small chamber, 32 feet square and 14 feet high. Here there is a three-dimensional Chakrasamvara mandala, as well as statues, paintings and frescoes throughout. You must seek special permission from the Shambhala Mountain Center to gain access to the other floors.

The marble floors were magnificent!

The insect motifs caught my eye.

Not all bugs!

Among many of the treasures inside is this signed illustration of Babar visiting the stupa by Laurent de Brunhoff.

Outside, one might find a collection of other treasures!

The Shambhala Mountain Center is located about an hour north-west of Fort Collins! It's a little bit of Nepal right here in the frontrange of Northern Colorado! Who woulda thunk!