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Just a short 15 min drive out of
Bendigo to Myers Flat, about 160 km northwest of Melbourne, brings you to
The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion. A site you would not expect to see rising tall out from the Australian Bush!
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Built 20 years ago, when completed, the stupa's exterior will be an exact replica of the Great Stupa of Gyantse in Tibet. 50 metres high and its four sides will each be 50 metres long, making it one of the largest Buddhist monuments in the Western world.
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The idea to build a Great Stupa on the property in Bendigo was the vision of Lama Thubten Yeshe. The idea to base the design of the stupa on the Great Stupa of Gyantse, was the vision of Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa were the founders of the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition.
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The Gompa (temple) inside the Stupa will have many features of traditional large Tibetan gompas including large statues of Buddhas and deities. The Gompa will be used for pujas, meditation and teachings. It is also designed to present an overview of Buddhism to visitors.
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The stupa is surrounded by landscaped parks and gardens, filled with gifts from benefactors and well-wishers of other faiths, and bodhi trees that come from cuttings of a Bodhi tree gifted by the Dalai Lama, which can be traced back to the original Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya.
The statue of Quan Yin is a female deity of Compassion, seen here floating on water.
The prayer wheels have special mantras on each one, Worshippers turn prayer wheels to accumulate merit, to help all beings in the world and purify their karma (intentional actions). They are part of meditation practice.
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Construction of The Great Stupa is estimated to cost around $20 million – not including the cost of the artwork. These funds are being raised through donations on an international basis. The Victorian Government has also contributed $2.5 million in regional development funds. Construction is taking place on a progressive basis as funds become available.
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Although the stupa has yet to be completed, it draws about 30,000 visitors each year, making it one of the more popular tourist destinations in the region once known for its gold rush. The stupa is a pilgrimage site for Buddhists from China, India, Japan, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam, as well as Australian and other Western devotees, but according to Green, the majority of the visitors are non-Buddhists who come to see how the work is progressing, to learn more about the project, and to admire the 2.5-meter jade Buddha.
Objectives of The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion:To inspire people to seek a peaceful and spiritual path.
To be a pilgrimage place for Buddhists from around the world.
To provide a refuge of peace and serenity for all and especially those in need.
To help explain Buddhism to anyone interested.
To provide a temple venue for major teaching events and seminars.
To be of service to as many beings as possible.
The Great Stupa Walking Trail - Self-Guided. Here you can downtown a map!Introductory video that gives an overview of The Great Stupa project
Explore the Visitor Centre and Peace Park
Marvel at the extensive collection of artworks and holy relics
Sit and relax at the StupaView Cafe
Enter The Great Stupa and be awed by its grandeur
View the Jade Buddha for Universal Peace
What to bring:Comfortable walking shoes
A camera, we encourage you to capture our work in progress
Pets are welcome inside and outside, we ask to keep your pet on a leash
Opening Hours:Weekdays – 9:00am to 4:45pm
Weekends/Public Holidays – 10:30am to 4:45pm
Christmas Day – CLOSED
Allow 2 hours for the visit, which gives you enough time to roam and explore the Peace gardens and gift shop. Or why not stop at the
Stupaview cafe for lunch. The cafe opened in 2018 as an extension of the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion; it serves seasonal lunch, desserts and barista coffee, teas and iced drinks. Relax inside on comfy lounges or outdoors in the courtyard overlooking the Peace Park and the Great Stupa.
Products are sourced from local suppliers. Food and beverages are vegetarian, with vegan and gluten-free options also available.
Entry to the Great Giant Stupa of Universal Compassion is by donation. The money raised will contribute towards its completion.
The paths leading up to the Great Stupa are flat and easy for wheelchair access, also forgot to mention that dogs are welcome!
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