Seven Jewels Lake
The jewels represent the treasures of the Dharma. According to the sutras of the Mahayana Tradition, there are seven types of jewels: gold, silver, colored glaze, crystal, coral, pearl and agate which are regarded as the precious treasure of the mundane world. A swampy area of approximately 5 acres was developed into the beautiful lake. The area around the lake also contains walking paths, perennial flowers, a rock garden, Chinese pavilions and decorative bridges. It’s a great place to relax.
Bodhi Path
“Bodhi” literally means “awaken.” Thus, Bodhi Path means “Path to Awakening.” It symbolizes the idea that ignorant sentient beings of this mundane world could become fully awakened and attain enlightenment by walking the path, i.e., practicing the teachings of the Buddha.
The Bodhi Path was the result of the efforts of the previous Abbott, Ven. JiRu, and all others who contributed to its construction. It runs directly from the visitor’’ parking lot to the Great Buddha Hall. Walking up the Bodhi Path, one is reminded to follow the eight-fold Path and to be liberated from the sufferings in this world.
18 Arahants
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Bodhi path contains 18 statues of Arahants, 9 on each side. The 18 Arahants were great disciples of the Buddha.
Culapanthaka Thera, declared chief among monks skilled in creating forms by mind-power and in mental “evolution” (cittavivatta).
Subhuti Thera, described as “foremost in realizing emptiness”.
Mahakotthita Thera, ranked foremost among masters of logical analysis (patisambhidappattanaj).
Revata Thera, declared as foremost among forest-dwellers (arabbakanaj).
Mahakappina Thera, considered foremost among those who taught the monks.
Upali Thera, declared to be the most proficient of those who were learned in the Vinaya or Discipline (vinayadharanaj).
Kaludayi Thera, declared pre-eminent among those who gladdened the clans (kulappasadakanaj aggo).
Bakkula Thera, often mentioned as an example of a monk who practiced asceticism without preaching it to others.
Nanda Thera, declared him chief among his disciples in self control.
Anuruddha Thera, foremost in consoling the monks and admonishing them as to their future course of action.
Sariputta Thera, the chief disciple of the Buddha, declared as foremost among those who possessed wisdom.
Punna-mantaniputta Thera, declared to be pre-eminent among those who preached the Dhamma.
Moggallana Thera, the second of the Chief Disciple of the Buddha, pre-eminence lay in his possession of iddhi-power (supernormal power).
Gavajpati Thera,
Mahakaccana Thera, considered chief among expounders in full of the brief saying of the Buddha.
Rahula Thera, declared as foremost among those of his disciples who were anxious for training (sikkakamanaj).
Kondabba Thera, declared to be pre-eminent among disciples of long-standing (rattabbunaj).
Pindola Thera, declared him chief of the “Lion-roarers.”