Monumental: Story of the Stupa (Paperback)

“I would like to congratulate Ian Green and his team on what they have achieved and welcome this book in which he recounts the story of creating the Great Stupa from an enchanting idea to a completed project. It’s a story that vividly illustrates the importance of dedication to a positive goal—it shows that if you persevere and never give up there is no end to the good things that you can do.”
—From the Foreword by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama

“Lama Yeshe always told us to “think big.” Similarly, Lama Zopa Rinpoche would exhort us to “do more, not less.” In building the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Ian has succeeded in fulfilling his Lamas’ wishes beyond anybody’s wildest dreams. It really is a mind-boggling achievement—one that will continue to benefit uncountable people and other sentient beings for longer than we can imagine. And it is great to be able to read the blow-by-blow of how the Stupa was built, not to mention the builder’s backstory and what led him to undertake this monumental challenge.”
—Dr. Nicholas Ribush, Director of the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive

‘One of the questions that most intrigues me is what happens when a world religion such as Buddhism is transplanted to the Australian bush. Can this provide us with new opportunities for cross-cultural understanding that are not possible in older, more established settings?  Ian Green’s account of his journey into Buddhism, the building of the Great Stupa in Bendigo and the world tour of the Jade Buddha makes for a fascinating, inspirational and at times wondrous read. With the institution of the Peace Garden at the Great Stupa and the placement of symbolic artifacts of many great religious traditions side by side, we have one answer to my question. As I read Ian’s chapter on the Peace Garden, it took me back to a hot summer’s afternoon when the tiny Jewish community of Bendigo gathered at the Stupa to dedicate its gift of a Chanuka menorah. It’s on that personal level that Ian’s work and his remarkable story resonate most powerfully. In this book we encounter a man driven by an overwhelming sense of mission, and in the Jade Buddha, the Great Stupa and the Peace Garden we sense the potential of that mission to break down barriers of distrust and misunderstanding, not just for Australia but for humankind.’
—Rabbi Fred Morgan, Emeritus Rabbi, Temple Beth Israel, Melbourne

‘Leaders who have great vision can be found in every nation. But those that dedicate all their efforts with sacrifice, humility and grace, and finally achieve their vision are only a few in number. Ian Green is one of them.
Ian’s contribution to Bendigo is exemplary. His journey to establish the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion has been one of unwavering commitment. Ian is a great friend of the Islamic community of Bendigo and has been supportive of our journey to establish an Islamic Centre in Bendigo from the very beginning. His work with the Bendigo Interfaith Council and generosity to establish a multi-faith peace park on the grounds of the Great Stupa, providing all faiths with a space to display their respective religious installations, is a great demonstration of inclusiveness and peace. I commend Ian for all of his efforts and especially his latest effort, ‘Monumental’ which undoubtedly comes from his heart and is a great record of his vision and journey to establish the Great Stupa—a place that brings positivity to all those who visit it.
I hope that all those who are working towards goodness will look to Ian as a role model.  I ask God to continue to guide Ian Green, and us all, toward success.’
—Sheikh Atalla Khawaldeh, Imam of Bendigo