The Wisdom Garden is meant to evoke the mindful awareness of our Buddha nature, a jewel of wisdom and compassion that lies beneath the turmoil of ever-changing thoughts, emotions and sensations that constantly swirl through our minds. At its center stands a stone stupa symbolizing the awakened mind of a Buddha, free from the normal sufferings of our minds.

You are invited to try out the ancient practice of mindfully circumambulating a sacred object – called Korwa in Tibetan – by following the path around the stupa in a clockwise direction.

As you circumambulate the stupa, you can recite the mantra: Om Mani Padme Hum. This means praising the jewel in the lotus. It refers both to the great Bodhisattva Chenrizig, who embodies the Buddhist principle of love and compassion for the well-being of all beings, and to the fact that a jewel of wisdom is hidden in our minds.