Say It With Tarot

Everything you want to know about Tarot--especially for contemplation, self-empowerment, personal growth and creativity--from Tarot expert, author and deck co-creator Janet Boyer.

  • Home
    Home This is where you can find all the blog posts throughout the site.
  • Tags
    Tags Displays a list of tags that have been used in the blog.
  • Bloggers
    Bloggers Search for your favorite blogger from this site.
  • Login
    Login Login form

What Is a Stupa?

Around six weeks ago, my family and I visited Sedona, Arizona to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. 

The highlight of our trip was a Vortex Jeep Tour. (I'll be making a post on the symbolism of vortices soon, as well as sharing our personal experiences with them). 

I was surprised (and ecstatic!) to find out that one of the stops on our Vortex Tour was the Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park

What is a Stupa? Well, it's a structure built to exacting specifications by an authentic Buddhist spiritual master for the purpose of prayer, meditation and the intentional influence of positive energy. The shape of a stupa is often spherical or mound-like, symbolic of the praying Buddha when he reached enlightenment.

What is particularly fascinating about Stupas is that they are filled to the brim with hundreds of sacred objects. The Amitabha Stupa in Sedona is filled with:

  • Sacred mandalas for prosperity, well-being and peace which are antidotes specific causes of suffering

  • Close to a billion mantras for peace, compassion, and the pacification of negativity

  • Precious medicines from around the world

  • Earth (dirt) from every continent

  • A sacred relic from the Buddha of our time, Shakyamuni (Gautama) Buddha

  • Numerous other extraordinary relics from past living Buddhas and Bodhisattvas

According to the caretakers, "These relics give the Amitabha Stupa its profound potency to alter the karmic fabric for all who stand in its presence."

Wow! Close to a billion mantras?

I felt the intense sacredness of the place, especially as I spun the prayer wheels and walked their Native American Medicine Wheel.

Just to know that so much care was invested in the design and construction with this particular Stupa was awe-inspiring. 

Last modified on
Janet Boyer is the author of Back in Time Tarot (Hampton Roads), Tarot in Reverse (Schiffer Publishing) and Naked Tarot: Sassy, Stripped-Down Advice (Dodona Books). She's the co-creator (with her husband, artist Ron Boyer) of the Snowland Deck and Coffee Tarot, and authored both companion books to those decks. A Renaissance Soul, she is also an award-winning cook, mixed media artist, jewelry artisan and journal maker. Next to creating, her favorite thing to do is spend time with her beloved husband, son and 5 cats at her rural home in Pennsylvania. Visit her at JanetBoyer.Substack.com

Comments

Additional information