26 November 2009
In the summer of 2008, the statue destined for Lotus Garden began a long journey from Mindrolling in Dehra Dun to Mumbai, from where it was shipped to the port of Baltimore in the United States. A group of sangha members went to claim it and bring it home to Lotus Garden. The U-Haul truck bearing the statue bundled in its wrappings arrived one hot day in August during the 2008 Annual Retreat. The sangha gathered around. Everyone was delighted, curious and eagar to be of help. The Buddha was lifted from the truck, laid down and unwrapped with great tenderness. Rinpoche and the nuns then performed rituals of bathing it with fresh cloths and saffron water, blessing it with incense and a small sang offering.