New Temple in Second Life!

Drolma Lhakhang
A Green Tara Temple and former refuge of Atisha, one of Tibet's greatest teachers.
Founded in 1055, but currently under construction.

At Free Tibet, secondlife://Wakeley/28/ 69

Atisha (982-1054 A.D.) was an Indian Buddhist master who helped revive Buddhism in Tibet, a period often known as the 11th century renaissance, a time when the great foundations for Tibetan Buddism were laid. Atisha spent the last 12 years of his life in Tibet and much of it at or near Drolma Lhakhang, about 45 minute's drive south-west of Lhasa, where the great teacher died in 1054.

So sacred and unique is this temple is that the Indian government managed to persuade China not to destroy or deface the site during the cultural revolution of the 1960s, one of the very few Tibetan religious locales that escaped the epic destruction of Mao Zedong's campaign within Tibet. In RL, it is a modest structure, but imbued with enough energy and 11th century artwork that pilgrims continue to assemble inside its dingy, dark spaces.

The devotional focus of this temple is Green Tara (Drolma), who has been described as the mother of all buddahs and had a particularly strong connection to Atisha.
"Followers of Green Tara believe that her special powers will help overcome dangers, fears, and anxieties, and that she will grant wishes. She is also believed to help one cross over from danger to safety or from suffering to happiness. Her femininity imbues her with soft and compassionate feelings, and she acts very quickly and directly as a savioress. Representing active compassion, she is particularly worshipped for her ability to overcome the most difficult situations."

Her mantra, to be repeated as much as possible by the devoted practitioner, goes like this:
TAM ~ OM TARE TUTARE TURE SVAHA ~ TAM ~ OM TARE TUTARE TURE SVAHA ~ TAM ~ OM TARE TUTARE TURE SVAHA ~ TAM ~ OM TARE TUTARE TURE SVAHA ....

For now, Tibet's King Songsten Gampo (6l7-698 A.D.) sits on the main altar. He's the construction supervisor.

Thanks to Free Tibet for land hosting this build. Join the Drak Yerpa Group in SL for future in-world updates.