Tibetan Peace Garden, Southwark

The overall design of the Tibetan Peace Garden symbolises the meeting of East and West, by bringing together contemporary western imagery with traditional Tibetan culture. The circular shape of the garden, for example, is based on the fundamental Buddhist image, the Wheel of Dharma. 

As you walk into the Tibetan Peace Garden, the first thing you come across is the Language Pillar. Built in Portland stone, its design is based on the famous Sho Pillar in front of the Potala Palace in Lhasa. It carries His Holiness the Dalai Lama's message of peace and harmony in four languages: Tibetan, Hindi, English and Chinese. The pillar is topped by 'precious jewels' set upon three steps representing peace, understanding and love.

Walking from the pillar towards the garden, you will see in the pathway a circular logo, cast in bronze and set in Kilkenny stone. The two Tibetan syllables in the centre mean 'Virtue' and 'Foundation', and the six 'vajras' represent the perfections of generosity, discipline, patience, diligence, concentration and wisdom as well as the six mythological families of the Tibetan people. This is the logo of the Tibet Foundation, who commissioned the Tibetan Peace Garden.

At the centre of the inner circle , set into black Kilkenny limestone, rests the bronze cast of the Kalachakra Mandala. His Holiness the Dalai Lama, considering it to be a 'vehicle for world peace', has given the Kalachakra initiation numerous times in the East and West. Created in sand, painted or even constructed in three dimensions, this is the first time the mandala has been cast in bronze. It has the power to confer its blessings on all who see it.

Set into the paving around the mandala, and also cast in bronze, are the classic Buddhist images, the 'Eight Auspicious Symbols': the banner of victory, golden fishes, vase of treasure, lotus, conch shell, eternal knot, parasol and wheel.

Inside the perimeter of the garden are eight low York stone contemplation seats, facing towards the mandala. They represent the 'Noble Eightfold Path' of right view, thought, speech, livelihood, effort, mindfulness and concentration.

Behind them are planted flowers and plants from Tibet and Himalayan regions.

On the outer perimeter of the circle stand four contemporary sculptures carved in Portland stone portraying the elements: Air, the gateway to the west; Fire in the north; Earth in the east and Water in the south. The fifth element, Space, is represented by the open arena. The five elements are held in Buddhism to constitute the basis of our whole existence; environment, life and consciousness.

The four main sculptures are linked by a pergola covered with climbing plants and shrubs, a combination of some different species, mainly of Tibetan, Chinese and Himalayan origin.

The Tibetan Peace Garden was opened by His Holiness the Dalai Lama on May 13, 1999.

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