"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.

Prajwal Ratna Vajracharya

•  Newar Vajrayana Priest and Buddhist Dance Mastser from Nepal

•  www.dancemandal.com

•  www.vajradance.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.

The Open Path

•  Paul Lingard

•  www.theopenpath.org

Paul Lingard has been involved in The Open Path since its' incorporation in 1976, and is currently the resident teacher. He leads pujas, meditations, classes and provides guidance to the Sangha members. Paul connected with the Vadrayana teachings thru the Venerable Namgyal Rinpoche, and since then, receiving teachings and transmissions from His Holiness The 16th & 17th Gyalwa Karmapa , His Holinness Sakya Trinsen, H.H. Chogi Rinpoche..... In 2005 his principal Teacher Lama Sonam Senge invested him with the white robes of the yogi tradition.

Dharmata Sangha / Heart of the Dharma

•  Dana Marsh

•  www.dharmataboise.org

Dana Marsh is an American Buddhist and resident teacher for Dharmata Boise Sangha. She is also the Spiritual Director of Heart of the Dharma. After may years of Buddhist meditation practice, under the guidance of Tibetan Lama Anam Thubten, she became authorized to teach in the Dharmata lineage. Her teaching is based on the Prajnaparamita or transcendent wisdom that is considered the essence of Buddha's teaching.

•  Jnanasukha Foundation

•  Heart of the Dharma / Dharmata Foundation

•  Open Path

•  Treasure Valley Dharma Friends

•  Shri Singha

•  Buddha Heart

•  Dance Mandal Boise

•  Lin Thuu Thien Tu

•  Press Release (Word Document)

•  Flyer - Full Size (right-click, "Save Target As")

•  Flyer - In Quarters (right-click, "Save Target As")

•  Maitreya Project Heart Shrine Relic Tour press materials