TREASURE VASES : HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The method to create the Peace Vases was originally hidden by Guru Rinpoche in the 8th Century and then discovered by two great Tibetan saints, Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo (1820 - 1892) and Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa (1829 - 1870).

In Tibet, more than a thousand years ago, many great saints possessed the knowledge to prevent wars, famines and disease, This was accomplished through the construction, consecration and the appropriate placement of special 'vases' containing precious objects and substances which created a sustained, harmonic environmental grid that pervaded the surrounding area. From the time these vases were 'planted' until the time the Chinese communist forces brought about the 'cultural revolution' it was recorded in Tibetan history that there were no major wars, famines or disease.

We, of the technological societies have for many years witnessed the reckless deterioration of the world. Our Earth's resources are being rapidly rape, plungered or polluted and will eventually be exhausted, or will exhause themselves. Wars, large and small, are being fought to obtain sovereign, secular or religious power. Diseases for which cures have been discovered are being replaced by more virulent ones for which new cures must be found. This man-made process of deterioration is making our planet an unsafe and unfit place to live and poses an enormous threat to any possible solution to world harmony, peace and to the very survival of humankind.

The history of the Terma (treasure teaching) tradition of which these Tibetan vases are a part of has been well recorded. It was during the last century that two great Tibetan saints, Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo (1820 - 1892) and Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa (1829 - 1870), discovered together one such treasure; the teachings which contained the instructions for creating these special vases. It is perhaps significant to note that these teachings were discovered at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, the period in our history that, in many ways, created the means to destroy our planet.

These two great saints were to construct these vases again in order to replenish the diminished power of the original ones but because of the political upheavals in Tibet during the 1950's the task was never completed. In order to finally complete this task 6000 vases were made in 1991 and consecrated by some of the greatest living masters of this century. Through the auspices of Siddhartha's Intent International and under the guidance of Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche, a present incarnation of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, the vases are now being located at appropriate places on the planet; on the 7 continents; in all major oceans, seas and rivers; on 43 major island and 61 major mountains; significant locations such as the Great Wall of China, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, the Taj Mahal, Jerusalem, Stonehenge, the Polar Caps; war torn countries including Iran, Iraq, Vietnam, Tibet, Ireland, Israel, South Africa, Lebanon and other areas affected by different disaster, diseases and / or famine.

The first vase was planted at Bodh Gaya the site of Buddha's enlightenment.

There are seven types of special vases. Each contain various ingredients, depending on its purpose - elemental substances such as precious metals, gems, earth, water, as well as appropriate mantras and prayers. Once constructed the vases are then consecrated through different methods.

Of the seven types only three are relevant for use today :

• To pacify wars : This vase serves to pacify negativities such as avarice and anger that give rise to conflict, lust for power and greed which lead to senseless acts of terrorism and ultimately war.

• To pacify and prevent disease. This is to pacify old as well as existing diseases and to prevent new ones from arising.

• To restore the power 4 the elements : This is to prevent the rapid depletion and pollution of the basic elements and natural resource in order to sustain the lives of all living beings.

H.H DALAI LAMA ON THE ENVIRONMENT:

Peace and the survival of life on earth as we know it are now threatened by human activities that lack a commitment to humanitarian values. Destruction of nature and natural resources results from ignorance, greed and lack of respect for the earth's living things.

Our ancestors viewed the earth.as rich and bountiful, which it is. Many people in the past also saw nature as inexhaustibly sustainable, which we know is the case only if we care for it.

It is not difficult to forgive destruction in the past that resulted from ignorance. Today however, we have access to more information, and it is essential that we reexamine ethically what we have inherited, what we are responsible for and what we will pass on to coming generations.

Clearly, this is a pivotal generation. Global communication is possible, yet confrontations take place more often than meaningful dialogue for peace.

Our marvels of science and technology are matched, if not outweighed, by many current tragedies, including human starvation in some parts of the world and extinction of other life forms. Many of the earth's habitats, animals and plants that we know as rare may not be known at all by future generations. We have the capacity and the responsibility. We must act before it is too late.

Greenpeace Volume 15 (2) March/April 1990