What is the Mandarava Project all about?

Buddhism teach about Method and Wisdom. In the Tibetan Vajrayana system symbolized by Dorje (septar) and Bell. The Dorje is symbolizing the male power and the Bell to the female wisdom and the unity of both meaning that they are inseparable, ultimate unity and non-dualism.

In Tso Pema (Rewalsar) the legend is about the Princess Mandarava who renounced worldly affairs and went to the mountain together with her retinue of 500 maids in order to meditate and practice the Mahayana buddhism.

Here Guru Rinpoche arrived and became her teacher (see links).

Today in Rewalsar Mandarava is remembered and worshipped by both Hindus and Buddhists.

The Lotus Lake is overlooked by and 35 feet high Guru Rinpoche statue which is very beautiful.

But where is Mandarava?

By the Lake there is a small cave, called Mandarava cave where there are hand prints from Mandarava in the rocks and a small shrine with a small statue of princess Mandarava clad in sari and blouse.

Also on top of the mountain in the big Guru Rinpoche cave and secret cave there is a similar shrine for Mandarava.

But there are no evidence about who was Mandarava and why she became the most important consort of Guru Rinpoche together with Yeshe Tsogyal.

Here are the links where you can read more.

So why not make a big Mandarava statue and shrine?

And why not start to fulfill the testament of Mandarava namely to protect the environment, avoiding sectarianism, disbutes, famine and wars.

That is what the project is all about.

That Mandarava 's wisdom is a female energy doesn't mean that males can't participate and is in no ways anti male power, as men are born from females there is no diversity here. But we think that the concerns for cleanliness and environment and peace is very female issues and very important to practise not only at this small holy place but everywhere in our world

The building of a Mandarava statue and shrine is appealing to Buddhists and Hindus. It will also create a common ground for the community. And we are sure that also is logic to Buddhist all over the world.