The Jewel in Mumbai

Summary

The Global Vipassana Pagoda in Mumbai was built to mark the birth centenary year of Sayagyi U Ba Khin, the Burmese Dhamma teacher of S.N. Goenka. The monument is built in the Myanmar style of the Shwedagon pagoda, as a token of gratitude to that country where the essence of the Buddha’s teachings was maintained in its pristine purity, and from where it is now spreading throughout India, and via India to the rest of the world. Mr. S.N. Goenka became the vehicle to make this happen and was the inspiring guide for every important aspect of this building project. Tremendous volition and effort went into the building of this staggering monument, and it is interesting and educative to explore the journey. Mr. Bikram Dandiya has beautifully chronicled some of these experiences in this booklet, The Jewel in Mumbai, the story of the making of the crystal bud atop the Global Vipassana Pagoda.