The Martha’s Vineyard Bodhi Path Buddhist Center celebrated its 25th anniversary with the consecration of a new stupa last week.
Founded in 1999, Bodhi Path has been the hub of Buddhism on the Island, and members said they hoped the dedication of the religious statue could mark a new stage of growth for the West Tisbury center.
“To have [a stupa] here, I just think is incredibly special,” said Penelope Dixon, one of about 30 members who went to the ceremony on Wednesday.
Placed just outside the Bodhi Path’s open meditation building, the stupa is a mound-like structure that is supposed to bring blessings to the area, to those who participate in its construction and to people who meditate beside it.
The more than two dozen people at the consecration Wednesday sat in chairs around the stupa, reciting prayers translated from Tibetan in unison while watching Karma Trinlay Rinpoche, a Buddhist master and scholar, throw rice on the sacred monument. Karma Trinlay Rinpoche traveled from his home in France to teach lessons for Island Buddhists and bless the stupa.
Below the stupa’s rounded top are carvings that depict the meditating Buddha. The stupa was built in Nepal and assembled atop a stone base by Celio Guimaraes, who owns the Vineyard Haven-based CCG Landscaping.
The Buddhist center has been a place of peace for many over the years.
Ms. Dixon started going to Bodhi Path on Sept. 11, 2001. At the time she lived in Chilmark, and when she heard the news of the World Trade Center attacks, she needed a calm environment to go pray.
Ms. Dixon recently traveled to Bhutan, where Buddhism is widely practiced, and said she saw several Buddhists do devotions with stupas.
“Having the center grow up like this... is really a huge honor,” she said
Inside the stupa’s thick gray walls are mantras written on strips of paper and then rolled into a thick scroll. Treasure vases, each blessed by Karma Trinlay Rinpoche, and a Tsatsa, or sculptural representation of the Buddha, were also placed inside.
Before the consecration, Bodhi Path members were invited to give meaningful objects and many gave jewelry to be blessed inside the stupa.
“Take care of it,” Karma Trinley Rinpoche said after the prayers ended. “It has the power to fulfill all your wishes.”
The Martha’s Vineyard Bodhi Path was founded on September 11, 1999 by Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche, who died in 2014. He was from Tibet and came to the United States to spread Buddhist philosophies.
Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche was looking to start a Bodhi Path center on the East Coast and upon visiting the Vineyard, thought the serene trees and soothing waters would best support meditation.
To celebrate the center’s anniversary, Martha’s Vineyard Bodhi Path co-coordinators Barbara Dacey and Sharon Gamsby played a recording from the center’s first meeting.
“I’m fortunate to be the person who started this here,” said Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche in the recording.
The Vineyard’s Bodhi Path center is one of several across the country and the globe.
The Island center was originally located in a small house on Mayflower Lane in Vineyard Haven. Ms. Gamsby recounted how on opening day, there was heavy rain and guests sat in folding chairs. In 2001, the center moved to its current home in West Tisbury.
Several original Bodhi Path members built the new center that now has an open meditation room and house for visiting teachers to stay. Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche, who directed plans for the new center, wanted a large open field behind it to give practitioners a freeing view.
Ms. Dacey and Ms. Gamsby, both original members, said it has been an honor to lead the Bodhi Path, especially during the stupa consecration, and hope the anniversary events will inspire others eager to learn about meditation.
“Come here and learn to meditate with us,” Ms. Gamsby said. “Anybody can come in and hopefully feel comfortable.”
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