Dhammagiri Stupa Coated in New Colour, Tiratana Bronze Plaques, 4 small Buddha Statues; Dhamma Tablets
- Dhammagiri
- Apr 3
- 9 min read
Stupa Coated in Correct Colour
Our stupa is now coated in the correct colour, and the same goes for the plinth and surrounding concrete slab.
The stupa coating is smooth, whereas the concrete has been provided with an anti slip treatment, to minimize danger of anyone slipping on rainy days.
The visible openings provides access for enshrining relics and Dhamma tablets. After the ceremony, these opening will be sealed completely.
Tiratana Bronze Plaques
The first of our 16 bronze plaques have been completed by the contractor, and look splendid, with the highly polished Tiratana standing our beautifully against the dark background.
The 16 plaques will be installed by the contractor, probably on Monday 28 April, well in time for our ceremony on Friday 02 May.
The Tiratanas will flank the Brahma Plaques with the quote from Brahma Sahampati on two sides of the stupa; the other two sides will have devas in anjali flanking the Brahma Plaques.
Buddha Statue in Abhaya Mudra for Dhammagiri Stupa
Our 4 little Buddharūpas have finally arrived.
They have been custom moulded and cast in Thailand. We're very happy how well the artist, Khun Born, succeeded in capturing the Indian Gupta style, which is not an easy thing to do for such a small statue (only 11cm high/2.5 inch across knees).
Indian Gupta art (around 5th century CE) does not aim at relistic representation, but instead is focussed mainly on expressing the sublime inner qualities of the Buddha, like wisdom, peace, calm and compassion. Appearance of the statue is highly refined, with the sublte garments smoothly covering the body.
We will install four statues in circular niches in the upper section our Saddhamma Cetiya:
Abhaya Mudra/Gesture of Imparting Fearlessness (one hand raised palm outwards) Facing East, the first statue visible when approaching the stupa
Bhūmi Phassana/Earth Touching = Māra Jina Mudra/Defeat of Māra Gesture Facing South, second statue visible when circumambulating
Varada Mudra/Gesture of Bestowing Blessings (one hand on knee facing outwards) Facing West, third statue visible when ciruambulating
Samādhi Mudra/Meditation Gesture Facing North, third statue visible when ciruambulating
The statues have already received special Paritta Chanting from Ajahn Karuniko during his recent visit with us, and even a special blessing from HH Somdet Phra Mahathirachan, abbot of Wat Pho and member of Supreme Sangha Council of Thailand in charge of overseas activities of Thai sangha.
HH Somdet Phra Mahathirachan at Dhammagiri
Enshrining Ceramic Tablets with Essential Dhamma Teachings
As our stupa is specially dedicated for the Saddhamma to last a long time, we will enshrine ultra long lasting ceramic tablets into the stupa's relic chamber, inscribed with essential teachings of the Buddha.
The artist in Austria doing these tablets has developed a technique to burn text or images in high resolution onto the tablets, lasting potentially for millennia.
The tablets being only 20cm x 20cm large, and costing EUR350 for piece, we used Geramond Bold 5pt font to fit both Pali & English of the Fire Sermon onto one tile. However, this is still very clear and legible (at least with good eye sight). The 300dpi resolution of the tablets is actually noticably higher than the 3 example photos above, but I didn't want to slow this blog page loading with large-file photos. However, you can see all tablets that we will enshrine in this photo album in high resolution, including the option to download each image in high res as well.
We had donors for 14 tablets, which is also the absolute limit that we could prepare in time. Anumodanā to Ajahn Moneyyo, who did most of the finicky and complex text selection & formatting process, and to the generous donors of the ceremic tablets costing EUR350 each (including postage to Australia, and depositing of second copy in Austrian saltmine for ultra-long conservation in the 'Memory of Mankind' project MoM)
The tablets will be enshrined stacked in a marble box
All of it is excellent Dhamma, the most fundamental and profound teachings of the Buddha, and if you're curious to see the content of all the tablets, please click here for the complete photo album in high res.
16 Bronze Plaques for Stupa
Our Saddhamma Cetiya has made it through cyclone Alfred perfectly fine. However, we had some cosmetic damage from shipping. Harley did an excellent job in fixing all of that perfectly, and to install the spire on top, making sure that it's really stable.
Next, we will coat the stupa with a high quality concete coating, to protect it from the elements, to cover up the repaired sections, and to change the colour to sandy-beige, as envisioned on our concept drawings.
We're also working to install bronze plaques and Buddha statues in the niches on the external walls of our Saddhamma Cetiya.
4 Buddha statues in four different mudras (hand gestures) will be in the topmost circular niches
In the circular niches below the Buddharūpas will be four 12-spoked Dhammacakkas
In the square niches below that will be four inscribed Brahma Plaques, quoting Brahma Sahampati's words of encouragement to honour, respect and revere the Saddhamma, and to remember the teachings of the Buddha, from Anguttara Nikāya / Numerical Discourses Fours No21. Click on gallery below to expand images to see them clearly
If you wish to contribute to the stupa projects, you can do so on the donation page.
Please add 'Stupa' to your donation, so that our treasury team can identify the specific purpose of your kind generosity.
Relic Enshrinement Ceremony with LP Anan Fri 2nd May 2025
We're currently planning to have the Relic Enshrinement and Consecration Ceremony for our stupa on Friday 2nd of May 2025.
We hope to have Luang Por Anan, abbot of Wat Marp Jan, and several other senior monks of our tradition joining us on this auspicious occasion.
LP Anan will also be here for Almsoffering & Dhamma Sharing on Saturday 3rd May.
On Sunday 4/5 we hope to host Luang Por Lai for almsoffering & meal, and to lead some more Paritta chanting at our Saddhamma Cetiya after the meal.
Luang Por Piak Paritta Chanting 01 March
On Saturday afternoon 01 March, Luang Por Piak gave a special blessing to our newly arrived Saddhamma Cetiya.
He was leading our sangha of 5 visiting and 5 resident monks in chanting auspicious paritta.
Luang Por Piak is the abbot of Wat Cittabhavanaram (Wat Fa Kram) in Lamlukka, Bangkok. He is a direct senior disciple of Ajahn Chah, ordained by him personally, on the same day as Luang Por Anan.
Luang Por is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished living meditation masters in Thailand.
Luang Por Piak was travelling in the Brisbane area, and kindly agreed to include a blessing for our newly arrived stupa in his itinerary. Anumodanā to Ajahn Khemavaro of Wat Buddha Dhamma for facilitating Luang Por's visit!
Luang Por Piak, Ajahn Dhammasiha, Ajahn Kosavaro -
Click on Image to see YT Short of Commencement Paritta Chanting
Due to Luang Por's weak health, it was not sure until the last moment at what exact time he would visit, or whether it would be Saturday 1st or Sunday 2nd March, or if he would be able to come at all.
Additionally, after many delays, we got our stupa delivered and installed on the plinth only on the evening or 28 February. Until then, we were not sure if we even have a stupa present to receive any blessings.
Considering all these major uncertainties, we found ourselves unable to publicise the event beforehand - apologies for that, but it was simply too unsure. However, we didn't exactly keep it a secret either, and quite a few devotees turned up on the day. They were undeterred to wait for an hour or two, and didn't mind risking that nothing might happen at all.
Evening Drinks with LP Piak and 4 other Visiting Monks; Our 5 Resident Monks; Laity Offering Refreshments
Delivery and Installation of Stupa 28 February
Delivery of Stupa by Tilt Truck
(however, crate was too heavy to be unloaded by tilting tray, wan we had to hire crane to hoist it from the truck)
On Friday 28/02 our Saddhamma Cetiya finally arrived. The monks are chanting while the heavy truck is unloaded by an even heavier Franna crane.
It was very delicate work to raise our Saddhamma Cetiya out of its shipping crate.
The intricately designed crate and the stupa itself had been carefully prepared by LP Thanong and his team, who kindly constructed our stupa for free, according to our plans 🙏
After unloading and raising it out of its crate, our stupa had to be hoisted onto the prepared concrete plinth in two parts. Again, very precise work was required to fit the parts perfectly on top of each other. The crane operator and his rigger did a great job.
Levelling Works to Prepare and Widen Stupa Site 19/02
On 18 & 19 February, we had some 30 cubic meters of 'roadbase' and soil delivered and built up around the stupa foundation, to give us a flat, level area around the Saddhamma Cetiya of about 16 m diameter.
We also had the access road widened generously, providing full view of the stupa already on approach.
Work was done by same contractor who did the concrete foundation and plinth for our stupa. They finished it in just 2 days on Wed 19 February
Harley did a great job raking in grass seeds & spreading some jute mats on the slope to the north for erosion control.
We have completely soaked the soil with a lot of water, to allow it to fully settle, and hopefully have some grass growing there soon.
However, what we really need now is our Stupa, which was manufactured by LP Thanong in Thailand, and shipped to Brisbane last December. It arrived in port already on 7th of February, but it's stuck in customs ever since.
We have contacted customs, but apparently they can take as much time as they please, and don't even have any obligation to tell us how long it will take them to process.
Infomally, we were told that it should be only a matter of a few more days; so let's hope for the best 🤞
Foundation Stone Ceremony Sat 8th February
Foundation Stone for our Saddhamma Cetiya right at the End of the Ceremony
On Saturday 8th February, at 08.30 am in the morning, we had a simple ceremony of laying the foundation stone of our Saddhamma Cetiya, right on top of Dhammagiri summit.
Our sangha of 4 monks was reciting auspicious Paritta Chants, while Harley supported by Leslie and Danny cemented the foundation stone onto the top of the plinth. Later, the stupa will be placed over the foundation plaque.
Luang Por Liem had advised us to have a proper, long lasting foundation stone, so that future archeologists hundreds of years into the future may find information about our stupa even after the edifice itself has crumbled into a ruin.
Consequently, we enquired what material would be longest lasting, and were told that black granite is the most enduring option. The inscription will be engraved into the granite, and additionally inlaid with 24 K gold to highlight the text. Naturally, this golden highlighting will not last centuries, but the incised lettering will be easily readable even after the golden inlays have flaked off.
Foundation Stone, Highly Polished Black Granite, Engraved Inscription inlaid with 24K Gold
We have chosen 8th of January, the day when works commenced for pouring of concrete for foundation slab and plinth commenced, as the official foundation date. We also added the Buddhist year (Thai counting), so that future archeologists can sync the current Western calander with the Buddhist one, in case information about the time difference of both systems has been lost in the distant future.
We also added the dedication for the authentic Dhamma, the true and unadaltered teaching of the Buddha (= Saddhamma), to last a long, long time; for the benefit of countless beings to continue practising Dhamma in accordance with Dhamma.
Finally, we're expressing our respect to Triple Gem,
and we've placed a Tiratana Symbol at the lower margin of the stone.
Meanwhile, our stupa has arrived in port, and will soon be delivered to Dhammagiri.
Until the levelling works around the stupa foundation are finished by 15/02, the Chedi will remain enclosed in the wooden crate used for shipping, to protect it during the heavy earthmoving works.
Saddhamma Stupa Project
Artist Version of Saddhamma Cetiya
Many eminent senior monks suggested that the summit of the Dhammagiri hill would be a very suitable place for a stupa. A stupa that contains relics is an external focus to recollect the Buddha and his great disciples and gives people the opportunity to still pay respects to them after they have passed away.
We specially dedicate our stupa for the 'Saddhamma' (= Original, Authentic Teaching of the Buddha) to last a long time. While as the true Dhamma of the Buddha is still available in this world, we have a chance to study it, investigate it, practise it, and realize it.
Excavation, Building the Framework, and Concrete Pour of Plinth & Foundation Slab for Saddhamma Cetiya (08th to 13th January)
Our 2.9m high Stupa, which is modeled after the corner towers of the Maha Bodhi temple in Bodhgaya was already built by Luang Por Thanong and his monks-team and lay supporters in Thailand for us as a gift, and was shipped to Australia.
Stupa safely packed inside crate for shipping from Thailand
Any contributions towards the stupa project are very welcome and can be made via our donations page:
