Although we had lived in Sedona for many years, we had never visited the Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park. Thanks to a friend, a recent trip to Red Rock Country from the Valley of the Sun brought us to this sacred ground, situated at the base of Thunder Mountain.
Stupas have graced the Earth for over 2,600 years and are said to be the physical embodiment of the Buddha’s enlightened mind. One of the oldest forms of sacred architecture on the planet, their blessings are immeasurable and their presence in the West very rare. For millennia stupas have been built to deepen the spiritual life and promote healing, peace, and prosperity, and are a place for meditation and spiritual renewal.
Construction on the 36-foot tall Amitabha Stupa began in July, 2003, with a final 3-day consecration ceremony taking place on August 1, 2004. On this final day, marked with offerings, song, and dance, prayers began in the early dawn at 5:00 AM. At this hour the Stupa was bathed in moonlight, but when the rising sun shone on the face of the Amitabha Buddha, the Stupa was born. Since then the Amitabha Stupa has been radiating blessings of compassion day and night.
The external beauty of the Stupa covers many offerings within its walls. A sok-shing, tapered 4-sided, 21-foot long cedar column runs along the central channel and is the life force of the Stupa. It is carved at the top like a stupa and has a thunderbolt at the bottom. A large copper cauldron has been placed in the center as a symbol to protect the environment and replenish the five classical elements (earth, water, fire, air, and space) and is said to restore the Earth’s vital energies. Along with this are holy relics, rolled mantras, semi-precious stones and crystals, and other deity statues.
When you arrive at a stupa, Buddhist tradition teaches that there is great benefit in walking clockwise around the stupa at least three times, while making personal prayers for those suffering and for world concerns. A small offering can be made after this journey to dedicate the merit of these prayers for the greater good.
After the three of us had made the journey around the Stupa, we quietly absorbed the serenity of our surroundings. Soon a lone coyote’s cry pierced the silence. Native Americans feel the coyote teaches us that only when all illusions have fallen away will we connect with the source ~ beautiful symbolism experienced on this sacred ground.
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Paint Your Landscape 
What a wonderful find for you. It was time.
Overdue I would say. Take care Joan.
Even looking at the pictures is a spiritual experience.
It was very peaceful. You and Stan would like it I’m sure.
That red is GORGEOUS!!! SO rich!! Makes me think of chocolate almost! Like REAL Coco Powder!!!!
You would love Sedona Jaz! 🙂
I think it makes me hungry LOL 🙂
You are too funny! 🙂
This Stupa really blends in with the surroundings. There is a Stupa near me at Benalmadena Pueblo on the Costa Del Sol, Spain that says I am here, look at me, as it is massive, brilliant white with a gold top, located on the side of the mountain overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. I have visited it a few times and marvel at the murals inside and sometimes the monks make sand pictures. May your exhaust pipe be free of potatoes jammed in there by pranksters 😉 Take care. Ralph x
I would love to come to Spain someday. I am sure it is a beautiful country. As for the exhaust pipe, I think you may have been one of those pranksters when you were a young pup! 🙂
I still am !! 😉
I have no doubt! 😀
Stupas in AZ! Buddha of Infinite Light looks majestic. Wonderful post, LuAnn.
Thanks Amy. I believe there are only two states that have stupas, one being AZ and the other MD. Don’t quote me on that. 🙂
Beautiful….sorry to have missed this. Perhaps next year. Love the snow against the red rock 🙂
It does make for a very pretty scene. Glad to have had the chance to get to know you and Al. Safe travels to you and I hope we will meet again somewhere down the road. I feel certain that we will. 🙂
Oh….we WILL meet again….count on it!
😀
We visited a Buddhist shrine in Houston. What a warm peaceful feeling Paul and I both had. Everyone we met were so eager to make us feel welcome.
They certainly do subscribe to a very peaceful lifestyle.
Amazing! Just from the photos you can tell it just “fits”, and I’m sure it’s even more inspiring in person.
If your travels even land you in northern Colorado, you should check out the Shambhala Mountain Center in Red Feather Lakes (about an hour NW of Fort Collins). The setting is amazing, and the stupa there is so perfectly tucked into the mountains that you would never imagine something like that could be hiding there. They have some very interesting classes too – the last time I was there they were doing a “renewal” retreat that was meditation and therapeutic massage coupled with kayaking and hiking, I wish I could have stayed and joined it!
Well hello there stranger! Hope all is well with you in Yellowstone. I have heard of this center in Red Feather Lakes, although I didn’t know there was a stupa there. We will have to put it on the list. Take care!
How amazing is that? Sounds like such a wonderful experience. Thanks for sharing this.
It was really very lovely, especially with a dusting of snow.
We have plans to do a Southwest swing, which will most certainly include Sedona, and this looks like a wonderful place to tuck into my planning file.
We’re home for two and 1/2 weeks before heading out again in our trailer. It feels like an eternity!
And due to our recent trip, I now know what a Stupa is. 🙂
You definitely should see Sedona. It is really beautiful. If you need any ideas for hikes or places to dine I would be happy to give you some ideas. 🙂
Wow, we had been to Sedona twice (not in RV) but did not know about this peaceful place. When we come back to the west, maybe we will swing by Sedona.
There is some amazing hiking in Sedona and I’m guessing you have done some of it.
Stunning colour on a Spiritual landscape. I would love to visit.
It is quite lovely.
Thank you for this beautiful and enlightening post….unaware of this stupa in the red rock country! A must see for our next visit!
I had heard about it but never taken the time to go. A friend who lives in Sedona had to show us where it was, as it is not very obvious for someone not familiar with Sedona.
LOVE the color on the images!
The red rocks are pretty spectacular. 🙂
I’ve never seen anything like this in the US. The Buddha statue is wonderful, and the setting fantastic. Next trip out west, we’ll plan a visit.
I would highly recommend it.
Thank you for this impressive post. I am one of the Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park caretakers. I love to tell the story of the Stupa and do regular free tours. It’s my greatest pleasure. What resides sealed inside the Stupa is part of the mystery and power that produces blessings and virtue. Please feel free to contact me to arrange a tour/brief talk when visiting the Amitabha Stupa. Thank you! Wib Middleton 928.862.0600, wmid@commspeed.net
Thank you for your comment. I can’t believe it took me so long to visit. I feel it was a place of great serenity and I will definitely visit again. I would be pleased to have you give me a tour. Thank you. 🙂
Thanks for sharing this impressive post.
My pleasure Stefan.
What a lovely spot, and gorgeous photos! I love the dusting of snow!
Me too!
Hi,
I found this very interesting. The original stupa, which are essentially relics of Buddhism, can be found in Sanchi, India. It is quite heartening to see an increasing awareness relating to Buddhism.
Shakti
I find it to be fascinating and a most gratifying approach to living.
Beautiful! Reminds of if a western version of Nepal! I will have to check this park out someday. The red rocks make it so striking too!
I can’t believe I lived in Sedona for 5 years and never visited before now. It was wonderful.
Love the last part with the coyote. I hope the three laps is not miles of walking, else I won’t be able to focus in praying. 😀
On serious note, I would like to go to there and pray for soemone suffering dearly. 😦
Sedona is a very spiritual place, especially when you get off the beaten path and this park was so peaceful. I think you would really enjoy it and no, three times around was not three miles, although I believe you could have handled that. 🙂
A little bit of the Himalayas in your own country, that is fantastic. The prayers are always lovely to look at, all colourful. What a fantastic and peaceful find.
Yes it was and not something you see too often in my country.
very informative..interesting photos..Thanks for sharing with us, LuAnn..
My pleasure.
Lovely share Luann… enjoying your travels with you…
Thanks Bulldog. I seem to be living my dream of traveling to Africa through you. 🙂
Beautiful! Wouldn’t have guessed these images were from the US if you hadn’t mentioned it Luann! Seems Tibetan, is there a sizable Tibetan population in the US?
I have heard (but not verified) that there are only a handful of states in the US where stupas exist. Sedona does not have a large Tibetan population and I am not sure about the rest of the US. I have not read, but can guess that given the reported energy and vortices in the Sedona area, this may have factored into the decision to construct the stupa here. It was a very lovely setting.