london diary

 
 At the centre of the garden is the Kalachakra Mandala associated with world peace. Around it are eight stone
meditation seats which represent the noble eightfold path;
right view, thought, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness and concentration.

 The four gates to the circle represent the elements, earth, air, fire and water

 a closer look at the Kalachakra Mandala

 

The Language Pillar is carved on four sides with a special message from His Holiness the Dalai Lama in
Tibetan, English, Chinese and Hindi.

"We human beings are passing through a crucial period in our development.

Conflicts and mistrust have plagued the past century, which has brought immeasurable human suffering and
environmental destruction. It is in the interests of all of us on this planet that we make a joint effort to turn the
next century into an era of peace and harmony.

May this peace garden become a monument to the courage of the Tibetan people and their commitment to peace.

May it remain as a symbol to remind us that human survival depends on living in harmony and always
choosing the path of non-violence in resolving our differences."

The Samten Kyil (Garden of Contemplation) was commissioned by Tibet Foundation, designed by sculptor
Hamish Horsley.and opened by the Dalai Lama in 1999