Global Vipassana Pagoda

The center of the Global Vipassana Pagoda contains the world's largest stone dome, built without any supporting pillars. The height of the dome is approximately 29 meters, while the height of the building is 99.06 meters, which is twice the size of the previously largest hollow stone monument in the world, the Gol Gumbaz Dome in Bijapur, India. The external diameter of the largest section of the dome is 97.46 m, and the shorter sections are 94.82 m. The internal diameter is 85.15 m. The inside of the pagoda is hollow and serves as a very large meditation hall, with an area covering more than 6,000 m2 (65,000  ft2). The massive inner dome seats over 8,000 people, enabling them to practice the non-sectarian Vipassana Meditation as taught by S. N. Goenka, and is now being practiced in over 100 countries. An inaugural one-day Meditation course was held at the pagoda on 21 December 2008, with Goenka in attendance as the teacher. Ten-day Vipassana Meditation courses are held free of charge at the Dhamma Pattana Meditation center, which is part of the Global Vipassana Pagoda complex. ==Construction history==

Timeline Planning for the construction of the Global Vipassana Pagoda began in 1997, while actual building work started in 2000. The pagoda consists of three sub-domes. The first and largest dome was completed in October 2006 when bone relics of Gotama Buddha were enshrined in the central locking stone of the dome on 29 October 2006, making it the world's largest structure containing relics of the Buddha. The relics were originally found in the stupa at Bhattiprolu, Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh, South India. They have been donated by the Mahabodhi Society of India and the prime minister of Sri Lanka to be kept at the Global Vipassana Pagoda. The second and third domes sit atop the first dome. Construction of the third dome was structurally completed on 21 November 2008. The Global Vipassana Pagoda complex is an evolving construction. A museum depicts the historical life and non-sectarian teaching of Gotama the Buddha. The Global Vipassana Pagoda's educational displays communicate the Buddha's teaching of the universal practice of Vipassana as a path towards real happiness. The Global Vipassana Pagoda complex consists of the following structures: • Pagoda dome containing relics of the Buddha. The pillar-less structure of the massive Pagoda dome encompasses a Meditation hall to seat around 8,000 Vipassana meditators - the largest such Meditation hall in the world. • Vipassana Meditation centre Dhamma Pattana • Museum depicting the historical life of the Buddha • Two smaller pagodas on the north and south side • Library and study rooms • Circumambulation path around the dome • Administration building • Underground parkade • Vipassana Research Institute office and facility for Pali study program • Dhammalaya Guest House for Vipassana meditators The south pagoda contains 108 Meditation cells for use by Vipassana students taking a Meditation course at the adjoining Meditation centre. Construction materials The foundation of the dome consists of basalt, while the dome itself is made from sandstone, brought from Rajasthan. The individual blocks of sandstone weigh between 600–700 kg each and are kept in place due to the unique design of the bricks. Each of the bricks interlocks with the ones adjacent to it, and lime mortar is used to fill in any remaining gaps. The circumambulation path is laid in marble. The pinnacle of the pagoda is adorned with a large crystal. The spire is covered in real gold, while the rest of the pagoda is covered in gold paint. The spire is topped with a special ornamental umbrella piece donated by the Burmese. The main doors to the pagoda are wooden and hand-carved in Myanmar (Burma). Truly gold Global Vipassana Pagoda.jpg|left|View from the Arabian sea Pagoda_at_Mumbai.jpg|Night view of main entrance Pagoda sunset view.jpg|View of the pagoda from Gorai Creek at sunset Amazing monuments in the Global Vipassana Pagoda.jpg|Amazing monuments in the Global Vipassana Pagoda Motif on Global Vipassana Pagoda.jpg|right|Motif on Global Vipassana Pagoda Pagoda Meditators.jpg|Meditators seated inside the Global Pagoda dome ==See also==