"The goal of the Maitreya Project is to bring the greatest possible benefit to as many as possible, for as long as possible. As its focus, Maitreya Project is building a magnificent 500ft / 152m bronze statue of Maitreya Buddha. Constructing the statue—because the essence of Maitreya Buddha is loving-kindness and peace—will provide a symbol to bless and transform the mind and heart of everyone in the world. The statue will be located at Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh, in northern India close to the place of the historical Buddha's passing away. It will be constructed as a Buddhist cathedral for the public and will be designed to last at least 1,000 years so it can act as a catalyst for peace for a full millennium."

The Maitreya Project Heart Shrine relics have been donated to and collected by Lama Zopa Rinpoche specifically for placing in the Heart Shrine of the 500ft/152m Maitreya Buddha statue. The statue will be the focus of Maitreya Project's vision of creating spiritual, social and economic benefit during the next millennium.

The relics will travel the world until approximately 2010 when they will be placed in the completed 500ft/152m Maitreya Buddha statue. Until then, it is Rinpoche's wish that as many people as possible will have the opportunity of viewing these relics in their local communities.

The collection is truly extraordinary. There are many relics of Shakyamuni Buddha and of the Buddha's well-known disciples—Maudgalyayana, Ananda and Sariputra—as well as relics of many other saints and spiritual masters from the Chinese, Indian and Tibetan traditions.

To learn more about the Maitreya Project and Heart Shrine Relic Tour, please visit the Maitreya Project website at www.MaitreyaProject.org.

Tulku Zangpo Rinpoche

•  Tibetan Buddhism, Nyingma Lineage

Tulku Orgyen Zangpo Rinpoche is a Buddhist teacher in the Nyingma Tibetan Buddhist tradition. At the age of six he was recognized by Tarthang Kyabje Garlong Rinpoche as the reincarnation of the awakened being Padma Rangdrol Dorje. He was later formally enthroned as a tulku, or reincarnated master, by Lhatul Garwang Nyima. He engaged in years of study and meditation of the Buddha's teachings under the guidance of His Holiness Jigmed Puntsok. Rinpoche received the entirety of teachings of the Nyingma Buddhist lineage from some of the greatest enlightened masters of this age. He is now the head of Tashi Gomang Monastery in Eastern Tibet. Rinpoche has been teaching at various monasteries throught Tibet and at numerous centers in throughout the east and west. He currently resides in Santa Cruz, California and is the Spiritual Director of Compassion Fellowship.

Prajwal Ratna Vajracharya

•  Newar Vajrayana Priest and Buddhist Dance Mastser from Nepal

•  www.dancemandal.com

Prajwal Ratna Vajracharya is a priest of one of the Tantric Buddhist lineages of Nepal and a ritual master both of the Charya Nritya dance tradition and other ritual forms performed by the Newar Vajracharya lineage. Prajwal began his training in Charya Nritya at eight years old, receiving formal instruction mainly from his father, the Buddhist scholar and ritual master Ratna Kaji Vajracharya. Prajwal Vajracharya is now the premier teacher, practitioner, and performer of the tradition and is a veteran of several world tours with beginning and advanced students around the globe. He founded Dance Mandal: Foundation for Sacred Buddhist Arts of Nepal to preserve and expand this rare art form and its related traditions. With the survival of this sacred ritual dance threatened by modernization, Prajwal, at his father's wishes, has dedicated his life to bringing this unique Buddhist heritage from the temples of Nepal to the world, while adhering to its original purpose as a profound spiritual practice.

LIN THUU THIEN TU

Vietnamese Buddhist Temple

Nuns: So Co Thich Nu Dong Hanh and Su Co Thick Nu Nhu Niem

Buddha Heart

•  Rev. Eric Schmitz

•  www.buddhaheartusa.org

Buddha Heart USA is an effort on behalf of Mahayana Buddhism and Buddha Heart International in Taiwan with ordained Priest/Teachers in Arizona, Massachusetts and Idaho. Buddha Heart is perpetuating lineages of Buddhist practice derived from the Pure Land (ching tu) and Esoteric (Chen Yen, Shingon) schools for the benefit of those seeking highest realization. Buddha Heart is an esoteric tradition dedicated to the practices of mind, body and speech. Buddha Heart sangha meets on Monday evenings from 7:30 until 9 at First Congregational United Church of Christ located at 2201 Woodlawn Ave. in Boise.

White Cloud Zen Center

Rein Konpo Kaales

•  www.whitecloud.org

Rein Konpo Kaales was born and raised in Amsterdam and is a long time practitioner, monk and teacher of zen Buddhism. As a young man he traveled extensively in the middle east. Later he studied several different eastern disciplines, such as Tai Chi, karate and judo and studied Tibetan Buddhism under Lama Yeshe, before making a life long commitment to zen practice under the guidance of Genpo Roshi, abbott of Kanzeon Zen Center International in Salt Lake City. He received Denkai transmission in 1998 and is recognized as lineage holder of the late Maezumi Roshi, a lineage that encompasses both the Soto and Rinzai traditions of zen. Rein Konpo now teaches at the White Cloud Zen Center in Pocatello, located in eastern Idaho.

•  Press Release (Word Document)

•  Flyer (right-click, "Save As"; high-resolution JPEG, 2MB)

•  Maitreya Project Heart Shrine Relic Tour press materials