Maitreya Project Update

October, 2000

Sign-Off Milestone for Concept Design Team

The Concept Design Team at Whinney Mackay Lewis offices in London

For the past five months Maitreya Project's architects, artists, environmental consultants, engineers, and foundry, casting and construction specialists have been working intensively to complete the Project's first phase, Concept Design Development. Their work has included environmental impact studies, soil and foundation studies, architectural surveys, bronze casting trials, and hands-on and computer modelling of the statue prototypes. A strong interdisciplinary approach has been integral to the Concept Design Team's success.

In October, Whinney Mackay Lewis (Maitreya Project's architects) hosted two days of dynamic meetings at their offices in London. The Concept Design Team presented their much-anticipated, landmark report to Maitreya Project International's Steering Committee and the architects conducted a sightseeing tour to some of London's large architectural sites so that members of the team could have an in-person experience of architectural spaces that are similar to the Project's spacious dimensions.

The meetings were inspiring and energising. The MPI Steering Group were impressed by the work to date and have accepted and signed-off on the Concept Design Team's report.

All were honoured to have Lama Zopa Rinpoche attend the meetings. His presence was, as usual, a source of wisdom, inspiration, and delightful humour. Rinpoche explained the importance of the Maitreya Project within the context of the teaching he gave, which essentially covered the entire Lam-Rim (The Graduated Path to Enlightenment). He brought with him some of the pages of the Prajnaparamita text that will be placed at heart level in the statue. Rinpoche is writing this entire text by hand in an exquisite calligraphy of gold ink. He greeted everyone personally and gave blessings with some of the ancient holy relics, which will also be placed at the heart of the Maitreya statue.

New Architectural Development: The Living Wall

One of the most exciting results of the Concept Design phase is a refinement to the layout of the Project. The architects have called it 'the Living Wall'. The 'wall' will be a three-dimensional ring-like structure, comprising many connected buildings and rooms, serving most of the functions that are ancillary to the statue and throne building.

Project architect Christopher Cotton shows model of Living Wall to Lama Zopa Rinpoche (middle) and MPI Directors, Ven. Marcel Bertels and Ven. Roger Kunsang

The Living Wall will enclose the area surrounding the central Maitreya statue. This will give the statue a quiet and hallowed setting, and will provide visitors with an enhanced experience of anticipation and fulfilment as they progress from the bustle of everyday life outside the park to the outer activities of the park and then enter into the inner activities immediately involving the statue.

Visitors will be able to see part of the statue in the distance as they approach. Once inside the park, they will travel through a natural native park/woodland landscape to the Living Wall where most of the education, accommodation, hospitality, management and maintenance services will be provided.

Then, as they step through the ceremonial gate, they will enter the spiritual sanctuary revealing, for the first time, the full view of the Maitreya Buddha statue and circumambulation paths, statues and stupas, in all their magnificence. Visitors will be able to savour a very personal spiritual experience.

Upon entering the throne building, visitors will pause, reflect and then proceed to the dramatic larger temples, smaller shrines, external balconies, small courtyards, and open spaces for quiet contemplation and meditation.

The guesthouse, monastery and nunnery will have their own more private entrance and parkland setting.