Travel to Namchi the amazing statue of Guru Padmashamva.

The Project

T o begin with the project on May 2nd 1997 the State Government constituted a Committee consisting of Secretaries of Tourism, Buildings and Housing, Roads and Bridges, Ecclesiastical, Forests and Finance departments to plan and implement the Samdruptse project in a proper manner taking due care of the physical as well as religious aspects. Further, as suggested by the Chief Minister, an Advisory Board with Kyabje Dodrupchen Rinpoche and other prominent monks was also constituted to advice the committee on the religious aspects of implementing the prestigious project. Later, the Tourism Minister, accompanied by the Principal Secretary (Finance), Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Tourism) and Special Secretary (Ecclesiastical), called on Venerable Dodrupchen Rimpoche and formally requested Him to take up the responsibility of construction and installation of the Statue of Guru Rimpoche and assured Him of all the financial support and other related matters in reference to the project. The Venerable Rimpoche kindly consented to take up the responsibility after some initial reservations. Later, during an important meeting held at Samdruptse on December 16, 2001 Kyabje Dodrupchen Rinpoche spoke the following words:
"Forty six years ago I came to this land crossing mountains running away from war and strife. Here the king and the people gave me shelter and protection. When I crossed over to Sikkim, even though I had nothing with me, I was happy to be safe and be in the hidden land of Guru Rinpoche. I had read about this land in the scriptures described by many Tertons. We used to pray to be able to visit and also to be born in this land. There was prediction made by one Terton that I have to live in the hidden land. Now, I have been here for more than forty six years, during that time I have tried in my simple way to contribute to the people and the society through whatever Dharma I know. This year the Chief Minister asked me to take on the project of building the Guru's Statue. I told him that I do not have any experience of taking on such a huge project. I do not have any worldly education. He insisted that I should take on the project because worldly people will not know how to 9° about such an important project in true spirit. That made me think. When he, as the leader of our society, is making such an effort to build a statue of Guru Rinpoche in this sacred hidden land then I being a lama should help realize his prayer come true. I decided to take on the project. According to Dharma, nothing happens byaccident. It's our karma and prayers that we all have gotten together in one place to work on such a sacred project. The Chief Minister, even though he is not Buddhist by faith in this life time, must surely belong to the lineage of Boddhisatvas from the previous lives. That is how he is able to think of such Q project and also be in a position to make it happen. I strongly believe that this statue will not only help this nation but it will bring peace and harmony to the whole universe.
We, who are here, are all connected from our previous lives and because of our positive karma we are joined together to do this project. In order to complete this project I need your support and full co-operation. I am a simple monk not trained in any of the modern subjects. You all are educated and experienced in the field of construction so we should work at this project like that of our own. Imagine how much care we put in building our own house. We should care for this project more than that. One person can help another person on individual basis but the statue like this will help countless sentient beings. Not only human but also all the insects and animals will find seed of enlightenment through the blessing of this statue.
I still repeat, that I am a simple monk unaware of any modern technology, I ask for help from all of you who are present here to help make the vision of our Chief Minister come true. I understand that he wants to bring peace, harmony and prosperity to this land and people through the blessing of this eminent statue. This is a great opportunity for all of us to make good merit for our future lives. We should do this project with the best intention, which is the basis of our Dharma. When you plant an apple you get an apple and when you plant rice you will get rice. In the same manner the fruit of this project will depend on the original intention of all those who are involved. It is an occasion of joy to know that one man came up with such courage and vision. Now, it is through our co-operation and the intention that we have to materialize this project.
I thank you all for coming here taking time off from yOUf work. I shall pray for your health and happiness.
This sermon was spoken in Tibetan by Rinpoche and was translated into English by Sonam Paljor for those who were present there.
Kyabje Dodrupchen Rinpoche accompanied by the Committee constituted to oversee the implementation of the project visited the site at Samdruptse on May 5th 1997. The moment Dodrupchen Rinpoche reached the location at Samdruptse with the visiting team, he expressed that no site could have been more suitable and ideally located. His Eminence also indicated that the installation of the statue would greatly benefit the State from all angles as Sikkim is considered to be a holy land and a pilgrimage center wherein a number of hidden treasures, including the sacred mountain Khang-chen-dzo-nga were blessed and consecrated by Guru Rinpoche when He passed through Sikkim on His way to Tibet. Dodrupchen Rinpoche also strongly felt that Sikkim's Chief Minister Pawan Chamling's brilliant initiative to install the statue of Guru Rinpoche was extremely timely and significant especially at a time when the world was full of negative aspirations and omens. I After the visit, the Forest Department was assigned to develop the area as an Eco-park and initiate environmental clearance for the project. The Buildings Department was asked with surveying the area and preparing a comprehensive contour map and conducting soil and load bearing tests. Similarly, Roads & Bridges Department was directed to initiate the alignment of the road leading to Samdruptse and provide a footpath. Thereafter, discussions were held on collection and preparation of the Zoong (Sacred relics) of religious and sacred items by the Dodrupchen Chorten Trust to be filled inside the statue, locating skilled artisans and sculptors and architects to design the lay-out of the entire area and landscaping it in harmony with the natural surroundings. The Chief Secretary, accompanied by a high-powered official team, also visited Samdruptse on August 17th 1997 and inspected the progress of work of different departments.

Laying of Foundation Stone : Then, after several rounds of meetings at various levels, the momentous day finally arrived when His Holiness the Dalai Lama reached Namchi in South Sikkim on October 21st 1997 to lay the foundation stone of the statue of Guru Padmasambhava at Somdruptse the next day. The significance of the day was not lost even on the weather. Although it rained throughout the night at Namchi, the day when the foundation stone laying ceremony was to be conducted saw the entire region swathed in glorious sunlight. His Holiness, accompanied by the Chief Minister, the then Speaker of Sikkim Legislative Assembly Shri C.B. Subba, Cabinet Ministers and others left for Samdruptse.

Since there was no motorable road at that time, His Holiness took a pony ride from the highway to the site at Samdruptse. After laying the foundation stone, His Holiness offered prayers to Guru Rinpoche and conducted prayers for the peace and prosperity of the State and all sentient bei'ngs. Later, His Holiness while lauding the initiative taken by the Sikkim Government in general and the Chief Minister Pawan Chamling in particular, to install the Statue of Guru Rinpoche said that he would wish and pray that the young State of Sikkim, where multi-religious communities live in complete harmony, sets a good example to the rest of India and in the eyes of humanity. With the foundation-stone laying ceremony over, the work on locating professional artisans and sculptors having good knowledge of making both copper and bronze statues began. In this connection, the Tourism Secretary, accompanied by Secretary and Chief Engineer, Buildings, visited Kathmandu, Nepal from 14th to 17h December, 1997 and saw a number of statues including the 18-feet statue of Guru Padmasambhava installed inside a Sherpa monastery at Bodhnath. The team also met a number of well-known and skilled artisans and sculptors and discussed various aspects of their profession relating to making statues and images. Meanwhile, work on providing budgetary support, monitoring manpower and materials and completion of official formalities were simultaneously progressing in full swing in consultation with the Dodrupchen Chorten Trust. The Chief Minister, who was the nerve-centre and the motivating force behind the entire project, was regularly posted about the progress.

After nearly three years of hard work put in by more than 1000 labourers and scores of engineers, architects ond sculptors, the seemingly impossible project;! of construction and installation of the massive statue of Guru Padmasambhava was finally over' without any major hurdles. In a grand religious ceremony held at Samdruptse on November 28th 2003, His Eminence Kyabje Dodrupchen Rinpoche, whose Chorten Trust executed the project, officially handed over the completed statue to the Chief Minister, Dr. Pawan Chamling, who took it over on behalf of the Government of Sikkim. The Chi-tyo Chi-Ien (handing and taking over) service was attended among others by Smt. Tika Maya Chamling, Rajya Sabha M.P., Mr. P.T. Gyamtso, Dy. Speaker, Sikkim Legislative Assembly, Mr. Palden lachungpa, Tourism Minister, Mr. K. T. Gyaltsen, Senior Secretaries of the State Government including eminent Rinpoches and prominent representatives of Dodrupchen Chorten Trust.

After filling up the statue with sacred relics including rolled mantras of scriptures and zoong and performing Rabney (consecration) ceremony on the statue Venerable Dodrupchen Rinpoche later thanked the Chief Minister for entrusting such an important project to a humble lama like him and assured that he had completed the Statue with the best of intentions to fulfill the Chief Minister's aspiration to benefit the people of Sikkim and all sentient beings. The Rinpoche, while reiteroung that he had executed the project as per the wishes of the Chief Minister, said he was now handing over the completed statue to the Chief Minister personally so that he could chart the future course for this great beginning. His Eminence was all praises for the Chief Minister's vision and leadership in completing such a splendid tribute to Guru Padmasambhava in His hidden land.