The birthplace. Where the Buddha entered the world.
The Shakya prince of Kapilavastu who left his palace, sat beneath the Bodhi tree, and set in motion the wheel of the dharma. The historical Buddha whose words seeded a tradition that now belongs to a fifth of humanity.
Princess of the Koliya clan, wife of Suddhodana of the Shakyas, mother of Siddhartha. She gave birth in a garden at Lumbini under a sal tree, and died seven days later. Tradition holds she was reborn in the Tushita heaven, where her son later visited her to teach the Abhidhamma.
The Birth.
A discourse on the place of Nepal in the unfolding of the Buddhist tradition, delivered in Kathmandu before a Newar and Tibetan audience. The first of a two-part teaching by one of the rarest and most uncompromising teachers in the Khyentse lineage.
The Tzu Chi Foundation's sixtieth anniversary observance at Lumbini — a triple festival of Buddha Day, Mother's Day, and the foundation's own founding, broadcast live from the birthplace of the Buddha.
The opening day of the vassa (rains-retreat) discourse series at Rajkiya Buddha Vihara, Lumbini — a teaching on the inner work of recovering from depression.
The 2025 Kathina at Rajkiya Buddha Vihara, Lumbini — the annual robe-offering ceremony, the moment when laypeople offer the kathina robe to the sangha at the close of the three-month rains retreat.
The 2025 Kathina at Shakyamuni Vihar, Lumbini — the offering of the robe to the resident sangha following the close of vassa.
The Vesak 2570 broadcast from Nagarmandap Shree Kirti Vihar in Kirtipur — the Newar Theravada community observing the festival at its principal vihar.
Traditional round zafu — kapok-filled, organic cotton cover. 14" diameter, 6" tall. Sits firm. The cover is removable and machine-washable. Available in saffron, charcoal, and aged ivory.
Sterling silver. 22mm. Open lotus geometry. Each piece numbered and certified, blessed in the morning ceremony at Mayadevi Temple. Comes with a TPS pilgrim card stating site of origin and number.
Inside the box: a Samoira zafu cushion (mini), a 21-stick supply of Lumbini juniper incense, the 21-day audio retreat (download card), a vial of Pushkarini pond water, a Sacred-Garden soil sachet, the Royal Thai Monastery prayer card, and a signed photograph from a resident bhikkhu. Arrives in a hand-stamped birch box.
