King Ashoka was a wheel-turning king and strong supporter of the Buddha’s teachings. He lived around 260BC and was known to be a fierce and brutal warrior before he embraced Buddhism. So horrified was he by his own negative actions that he renounced violence and dedicated himself to the Middle Way and flourished the Dharma. With his strong merit, he was able to build numerous monumental stone pillars throughout his kingdom to inspire his people. Each pillar, measuring 12-15 metres in height and weighing 50 tonnes, was inscribed with Buddhist teachings. His legacy lives to this day. 10 of these pillars can still be seen in parts of India including Vaishali, Patna and Sarnath.
Now, there is an opportunity for you to follow in the footsteps of King Ashoka to create the cause to be a wheel-turning king and leave a legacy that will benefit generations to come. Thekchen Choling’s Project G.I.V.E. is now transiting to become the Ashoka Pillars Fund. The Ashoka Pillars Fund will continue to be a monthly contribution of any amount that will support Thekchen Choling’s objectives of propagating and preserving the Dharma, and serve the community by funding the temple’s operating expenses. In appreciation of your support, we are now offering benefactors special monthly prayer dedications based on the level of contribution. Every contribution is a great opportunity for merit accumulation. We rejoice at your merit and generosity to protect future generations with the gift of Dharma.
Read on to find out more about the benefits of supporting this fund.
Note: Dedication will be made on the following month after the first deduction of the monthly subscription to Ashoka Pillars Fund. For any enquiries, please email to donate@thekchencholing.org
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Sacred Mirror
The Sacred Mirror represents consciousness and the element of space. Clear, pure and bright, the mirror reflects all phenomena objectively without bias, thereby reminding us to practice objectivity and to rise above our judgmental minds. On a more subtle level, it reflects the Buddha’s core teaching of emptiness – that nothing exists on its own side without a dependent arising cause.
Pinnacle of the mirror
The pinnacle of the mirror, formed by the white crescent moon, flaming red sun and an orange flame of fire, represents the completion stage of Vajrayana practice.
Light Rays
The light rays radiating from the Sacred Mirror represent the flourishing of the Buddha’s teachings, fanning out to the furthest reaches of the universe.
Full Moon Disc
The moon disc represents Bodhicitta, the aspiration to become a Buddha to benefit all sentient beings.
Blue Lotus
Divinely fragrant, blue lotuses bloomed only in the Buddha’s time. By incorporating it into the temple’s logo, it is symbolic of the ever-present Buddha in Thekchen Choling. Moreover, a lotus flower represents purity, perfection, compassion and renunciation, similar to how the beautiful lotus remains untainted even though it had arisen out from the muddy waters.
Nine Precious Jewels
These nine precious jewels represent the Guru, Buddha, Dharma, Sangha, yidam or mind-seal deity, Dharma protector, the sky, earth, and the human realm.
Two Dragons
The two dragons represent continuity and harmony and create the cause for the temple to enjoy the strong support of members and benefactors for Dharma to flourish.
Golden Khata
The flowing golden khata represents the auspicious increase of all Dharma activities.
The Seven Gems of the Chakravartin or a Wheel-Turning King
1. The precious horse represented by a unicorn’s horn
2. The precious elephant represented by its tusks
3. The precious queen represented by round golden earrings
4. The precious minister represented by square golden earrings
5. The precious general represented by a pair of crossed swords
6. The precious jewel represented by the triple-eyed gem
7. The precious Dharma wheel represented by a branch of coral
