Geshe Thubten Chonyi with Enzo Bianchi, photo by Ester Nuzzo
With joy and gratitude, we share some pictures from the “Finding Peace” event held last Saturday March 8 a Palazzo Reale, Piazza Duomo, Milan with two exceptional speakers: Geshe Thubten Chonyi, Abbot of the Monastery and Convent of Kopan (Nepal) and of Lhungtok Choekhorling and Enzo Bianchi, Founder of the Bose Community.
In the presence of a large audience, we presented, for the first time at a national level, our project for the first Buddhist Monastery of the Tibetan tradition in Italy.
We thank Anna Scavuzzo, Deputy Mayor of the Municipality of Milan, for her support and warm welcome, and Filippo Scianna, President of the Italian Buddhist Union who spoke about the importance of the project for the UBI itself and for the whole Italian territory, reaffirming his support and commitment to its prompt realization.
Ghesce Thubten Chonyi with Anna Scavuzzo, Deputy Mayor of the Municipality of Milan
photo by Ester Nuzzo
Ven. Massimo Stordi, President of the Monastic Sangha Association Lhungtok Choekhorling recounted to those present the historical origins of the Monastery project, and its importance for the dissemination of the Dharma, the Sangha and the community. He also introduced the Park of Contemplation and Peace that will be established around the Monastery, with paths and nature workshops open to everyone.
Architect Gino Zavanella, lead designer, known for his work on the futuristic Juventus Stadium, presented the style of the Temple. The design is the result of research carried out in India and Nepal alongside monk Massimo Stordi, as well as meetings with Lama Zopa Rinpoche. The architecture will be sensitive to both ancient traditions and the surrounding landscape , following an eco-sustainability approach, to ensure low environmental impact, high energy efficiency, and the use of natural and clean energy resources.
The screening of the video rendering of the Temple was truly touching for all those present.
Venerable Massimo Stordi, President of the Monastic Sangha Association Lhungtok Choekhorling
photo by Ester Nuzzo
Enzo Bianchi, Founder of the Bose Community, spoke wonderful words, underlining the importance of the presence of Buddhist monks and a Tibetan Monastery in Italy, for interreligious dialogue and for the spread of a message of Peace and compassion: "The birth of a Monastery is a very important step in fostering our shared humanity and for this reason, I joyfully greet the Buddhist brothers and sisters of Pomaia and their venerable Master. We are a communion, we are simple men and women travelers on this earth, and with our monasteries, we can offer paths of peace, non-violence, brotherhood". His words moved us deeply, filling us with warmth, a sense of closeness, and a shared feeling of connection.
Geshe Thubten Chonyi, Abbot of the Monastery of Kopan (Nepal) and Lhungtok Choekhorling (Pomaia), spoke about the Monastic life in the monasteries of Buddhist tradition, especially in Kopan which hosts more than 800 monks and nuns. How the approach to the inner life changes the mind and predisposes us to dialogue and openness with others, and the contribution that the Monastery will bring to these issues.
Enzo Bianchi, Manuela Ferro, Geshe Thubten Chonyi, Ani Ciampa Tashi
photo by Ester Nuzzo
Finally, on the occasion of International Women's Rights Day, Ani Ciampa Tashi He led those present in a beautiful and touching meditation on universal Peace and Love.
The event was moderated by Manuela Ferro, Vice President of the Sangha Foundation ETS, who facilitated meaningful dialogue between the speakers.
Nuns distribute blessed protective cords
photo by Ester Nuzzo
At the end, the nuns distributed the traditional red protective cords that Abbot Geshe Thubten Chonyi kindly brought from Kopan Monastery and blessed by Emeritus Ganden Tripa.
Thanks again from the bottom of our hearts to everyone present and to those who made us feel their closeness even from a distance.
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