The Great American Stupa for World Peace
Team
The Propitiating Lama / Chairman of Bodhivastu Foundation

lama rangbar
The Prophetic injunction (Lung Ten) to build the Maha Bodhivastu Stupa was transmitted to Lama Rangbar Nyimai Ozer (Adam Friedensohn) of the USA via the High Bhutanese Oracle, Druk Chokyong Tsimar who foretold of the needs and benefits of making such a large stupa in the USA at this most important transitional moment of our planet's history.

Lama Rangbar is charged with the work to rally support from people from all walks of life and guide the project through until completion. Several high Lamas are mentioned in the prophecy serving various roles and functions.


About Lama Rangbar Nyimai Özer:

Adam Friedensohn (Lama Rangbar Nyima Ozer), is a Mantra lineage holder trained in the Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhist tradition over the past 30 years. Recognized as the single activity emanation of Tulku Chimed Yugyal the ritual meditation master of Rangnang Ogmin Ling Dzogchen Monastery in Kham Tibet, he exemplifies the transfer of Eastern Wisdom to Western mind. His teachings are always fresh and up to date yet solidly based on the authenticity of the ancient school (Nyingmapa) tradition. His presentation of awakened mind is warm, playful and invigorating. Lama has returned to the USA after 20 years of living and practicing in Nepal in order to establish one of the most important monumental peace projects of our times, Maha Bodhivastu The Great Mandala for World Peace. Lama has also established several environmental organizations in the fields of solar energy, electric vehicles, poverty reduction for remote areas and vital service provision. He is the Founder of The Himalayan Light Foundation, Lotus Energy, Eco-Visions, and Clean Environmental Products International as well as the Bodhivastu Foundation for Enlightened Activity.


sapana shakya
Sapana Shakya
Treasurer
With over 18 years of experience in the field of rural development, environmental protection activism and not-for-profit organization administration, Sapana Shakya is well versed in handling complex program logistics and interdisciplinary coordination.

She is a founding director of The Himalayan Light Foundation and President of Eco-Visions and Clean Energy Products International, both registered and operating in Nepal.

A practicing Buddhist since a very young age, Sapana's Newari descendants trace back to the Shakya clan of Lord Buddha Shakyamuni.



ken frey
Ken Frey
Planning Advisor
Kenneth I. Frey is the Director of the Institute of Physical Therapy in New York City. Ken is a New York State Licensed Physical Therapist, Diplomate and Techniques Certified CranioSacral Therapist as well as a Certified Visceral Manipulation Instructor for the Barral Institute, and certification examiner for the Upledger Institute CranioSacral Therapy Certification Program.

A Buddhist practitioner for over 20 years he serves on the Boards of Directors of Yeshe Nyingpo in NYC and Varja Dakini Nunnery, America's first Buddhist Nunnery, in Lincoln, Vermont.


Technical and Artisan Team Members
The actual Bodhivastu Phuntsok Chörten will require a very large number of skilled craftspeople from abroad as well as from the United States. Lama Rangbar Nyimai Özer has been training several craftspeople in Nepal over the past 18 years in fields such as copper and iron work, thangka iconography, and cement work.

As these craftspeople join the project, they will be added to the Bodhivastu website on this "Team" page. At a later time, the Bodhivastu project will be requesting sponsorship and support of these artisans, as well as some from Bhutan to bring them to the United States to work on the Phuntsok Chörten-a journey and a transcultural event that will be essential to the success of the Stupa. Your support will be greatly appreciated.


osvaldo nitya brighenti
Osvaldo "Nitya" Brighenti
One of the early Architect/Draftsman for the Bodhivastu Project, Nitya was born in Italy in 1949 and is an architect and painter. He worked in Italy teaching and freelancing from 1975 to 1985, and moved to the United States in 1985, where he worked in New York City on various projects including residential, commercial, and institutional architecture. Nitya relocated to Hawaii in 2002, where he currently resides and works. Among other projects, Nitya designed a debate ground for Sera Mey in South India, a stupa in the Burmese tradition, and a Lama residence in New Jersey.



j.r. jeevan goff
J.R. "Jeevan" Goff
Jeevan left the United States and moved to Nepal in 1992 to utilize his skills to help the Nepali people electrify their country cleanly by using solar energy. Together, he and Lama Rangbar (Adam Friedensohn), established Lotus Energy Pvt. Ltd.

Lotus is a pioneer solar company and established the standards for Solar Village Home Lighting Systems; there are now hundreds of thousands of households in Nepal benefiting from this simple and reliable technology. Lotus Energy also helped implement remote hospital solar-power plants, remote water-pumping, electrification for vaccine refrigeration and medical equipment, and has electrified rural schools, monasteries, and tourist lodges. Jeevan has retuerned to the USA and has established Lotus Energy in Hudson, New York which provides and installs solar electric power systems for residences and commercial applications. J.R. is also known as "Jeevan," which is the Nepali word for "life."


satish
Satish
Iron/metal worker
Satish has been working under the guidance and tutelage of Lama Rangbar for over 15 years. A master craftsman in his own right, Satish will lead the team that will complete various aspects of iron and metal ornamentation for the stupa.


zack larson
Zach Larson
Zach Larson is a Tibetan Buddhist practitioner and scholar based in Wisconsin. He studied Tibetan language and Buddhism for seven years at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and had the good fortune to receive teachings and blessings from the great masters of the Nyingma School during his 2-1/2 years in Nepal and India. His books include Compassionate Action: The Teachings of Chatral Rinpoche (New Delhi: Shechen Publications, 2005 and 2009) and Compassionate Action (Ithaca, NY: Snow Lion Publications, 2007). For more, please visit: www.compassionateaction.info or his blog at http://himalayanmountainlion.blogspot.com.


volunteer
How You Fit In
Volunteering your skills and services to Maha Bodhivastu

Get involved!
Make MAHA BODHIVASTU AND THE PHUNTSOK CHORTEN happen!


There are so many ways to help the Phuntsok Chorten manifest to restore and heal our world.

Cash Contributions:
No cash support is too small nor too large. Small amounts as a one time donation or set as a regular monthly amount are extremely beneficial.

In-kind Volunteering
Many people have small amounts of funds but also have some time and skill to offer the project. Valuable s skills include, web outreach and mailing list development, editing, film making, hosting outreach events and producing CDs. If you are able to do any of these things, please do not hesitate to contact Sapana at: sapana@bodhivastu.org and see how your skills can best serve the project.

Connecting Bodhivastu with donors
Most of us don't have millions lying around the house but know someone who does. At this stage, we must purchase the land immediately to safe-guard the prophesized land. We hope that by the end of September that we will have printed special donation booklets with serial numbered pages. These booklet will briefly explain about the Maha Bodhivastu Project and the Phuntsok Chorten.

This Month's favorites:
The Bodhivastu Website is needs translation into several other languages. German and Tibetan have been commenced by volunteers. Other required languages include: French, Chinese, Thai, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Italian, Scandinavian, Bahasa Malay and Bahasa Indonesia. Please contact us or forward to potential volunteers.

Outreach Now
Bodhivastu and The Phuntsok Chorten seek skilled individuals ready to donate time to a number of project elements ranging from graphics and fund raising to web work to internet outreach and development of e-based mailing lists.

Also: Bodhivastu needs a Facebook expert. Let us know if you are one!

Project Stages and Support
The Bodhivastu Foundation is a 501 C-3 organization and seeks several types of support to make Bodhivastu and The Phuntsok Chorten manifest without obstruction. Project requirements include:
    1) Fundraising and Outreach
    2) Land purchase and legal processes
    3) Permits and Perpetuity registration
    4) Ground pacifying and consecration ceremonies
    5) Ground breaking ceremonies
    6) Construction commencement
    7) Development of civil works and facilities
The Bodhivastu Foundation accepts:
  • One time extra ordinary grants
  • Endowments
  • General donations from the public
  • In-kind contributions in the fields of videography, graphics, legal works, and admin.
Current Major Requirement:
The Bodhivastu Foundation needs an initial three and a half million dollars to secure the land and commence permit processing.

For those wishing to become a part of our special team:
Please via email.





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