Reserving of Niches at Dizang Hall

When reserving a niche online, you are agreeing to all the terms and conditions described in the contract, whether or not your have received or signed the contract. The contract will be mailed to you for your signature when MABA receives the donation for your niche. As niche locations are allocated by lottery, the Monastics at MABA will draw from the lottery two possible niches for you. You may choose the location of the one you prefer.

Make checks payable to ”MABA“ and mail to:

MABA

299 Heger Lane

Augusta MO 63332

Or

Further details about urns, – single and double berths – etc, please contact us by email: info@maba-usa.org, or call us at Tel: (636)-482-4037, and speak with Ven. Kongzheng (for Chinese) or Xian Yang (for English).

Official opening blessing

and

ceremonies

for Dizang Hall,

was held on

Sunday, Oct 15, 2006

In Buddhism, death is not an end, but a beginning. By creating Bodhisattva Dizang Hall, the Monastic Community is able to provide, for both the living and the deceased, a place of peace and serenity in an auspicious building set against one of the highest rolling hillsides at the Monastery. In conformity with the Asian tradition of filial piety toward one's parents, those who have passed on may now rest eternally under the watchful care of Lord Buddha and Dizang pusa.

In the center of the graceful oval interior of the Memorial Hall, surrounded by golden memorial plaques, a 12-foot tall copper statue of Dizang pusa stands guard over those who have passed on. The Bodhisattva is surrounded by the burning flames of his vows to protect those who have died, especially those who have been reborn in one of the hell realms. Dizang holds the great Taoist staff, which symbolizes his protectorship of the six realms, and all beings in them. The statue stands in a tall alcove, guarding over the berths and symbolizing our commitment as Buddhists to respecting and caring for those in our families who have passed into their next lives.                   

The architectural design of Dizang Hall will have a contemporary look while respecting the ancient style of such burial places. It will be elegant, warm, and beautiful. A pair of stone lions will placed on both sides of the entrance to guard the front gates. There will be two stupas that are 10 foot tall. The statue of Dizang (Ksitigarbha) Bodhisattva will be placed inside the Dizang Hall. There will be hundreds of niches to hold the urns of the cremated remainsthe deceased.

Location

The Dizang Hall will be situated next to the Chan Hall. It will be oriented on the slope of the hills facing the valley, with adjacent parking lot for easy access.

Service Items

Reservation of the niches, ordering the urns, placing the urns, relocating the urns, chanting service for transference of merits, funeral service, placement of name tablet of ancestors, and visiting dying patients.

Dharma Services

Daily sutra chanting conducted twice daily, transference of merits through special dharma service, and regular dharma service held every weekend.