CHIVA Dedication at the NJ Buddhist Vihara.
The Friends of Nepal-NJ is honored to present our 2023 Legacy Project to those fascinated by the art and cultures of Nepal.
Legacy Project was an ambitious initiative—promoting cultural identity, mobilizing volunteers and celebrating our tradition—which aims to encourage the widespread incorporation of Nepalese art and cultural tradition.
Building the Chiva or Stupa took about 10 months from identifying the location, artist and recruiting volunteers and finding donors for the project. The vast majority of the work was performed by volunteers from New Jersey community for this project. The project was led by Dr. Tulsi Maharjan, founding president of the Friends of Nepal-NJ.
Building the Chiva or Stupa was not an ordinary construction project, it was an act of devotion on the part of everyone who participated.
Welcome to our CHIVA and Memorial wall Project, where we celebrate the wisdom of the Buddha’s mind through building Stupa “Chaitya”.
Our community stupa is not just receptacles of offerings but also represent the Buddha’s enlightened body, speech, and mind. As you may know, the Buddha’s mind is an all-knowing and lucid, yet indefinable. Our stupa is designed to honor this profound wisdom and bring it into our daily life.
Our stupa was handcrafted by Mr. Chandra Shyam Dongol of Khokana, a skilled artisan, who carved each piece with love and devotion. We discovered the art work of Chandra Shyam Dongol through our network. We are delighted have Mr. Dongol’s art work being displayed at the Interfaith Peace garden at the NJ Buddhist Vihara. We look forward to working with him on many projects to come.
In 2024, we are planning to build a wide variety of stupas, from traditional designs to modern interpretations, each one unique and exquisite in collaboration with our growing ethnic communities. If you are interested in building your special ethnic style stupa, let us know. This is the perfect opportunity for our multiethnic community to bring home the beauty and wisdom of the Buddha’s mind at the NJ Buddhist Vihara, Interfaith Peace Garden. If you are interested being part of this project contact Dr. Tulsi Maharjan at trmaharjan@gmail.com.
2024 Legacy Project: Stupa of Enlightenment.
Here are some pictures of our volunteers in action. Volunteer recognition with US President’s Volunteer Service Awards.
Thank you for your support and commitments.
We would like to thank Sarad and Bijaya Manandhar of Milford for their donation to complete the top part of the Chiva with their generous donation of $5000 as part of their 25-wedding anniversary.
“Many hands have helped shape this monumental 2023 Legacy Project at our Interfaith Peace Garden, and the best of ideas cannot take place without generous supporters, volunteers including the individuals and institutions listed in the acknowledgements. Thank you all for sharing and supporting the vision of this project!”
Dr. Tulsi R. Maharjan
Lead support is provided by Sarad and Bidhya Manandhar.
Other major support was provided by 9-11 Carter to level the ground and create the foundation as well as helping with our ORCHARD GARDEN and memorial garden project. Mr. & Mrs. John an Linda Shockley has been helping with our Interfaith Peace garden project since 2020.
THANKS TO OUR SPECIAL VOLUNTEER:
VOLUNTEER SUPPORT WERE PROVIDED BY:
Dr. Manish Karna, Suresh Shrestha, Bishnu Shrestha, Sudhir Maharjan, Nima Sherpa, Avvas Lamichhane, Charles Chaung, Samantha Waldron, Rajendra Banjade, Sarad Ranjit, FONNJ President Roshan Karmacharya, VP Menuka Udas. If I missed any volunteers name, please let me know.
This project was also supported by our community members who donated $100 each for the Wall of Recognition to supplement additional funding for our Peace Garden and Chiva project. The Recognition Wall will be dedicating on May 11th, 2024 as part of our Community Buddha Jayanti and Nepal Day Celebration to recognize Buddha’s birthplace Nepal.
Project Chiva also has been made possible in part by grants from the Rotary District 7475, Nickelodeon and Change X. If you also like to donate funds to complete the Meditation Center project, please let us know. Once the meditation center is completed we will be able host many of our community events at the center so your support will help to complete the building project soon. Thank you again for your generosity and dedication for our project at the New Jersey Buddhist Vihara.
The Asha Project 