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The great spaces that
echoed as I walked and the symmetrically perfect walls kept my mind in
a state of wonder at the architectural splendor before me. When I
reached the center of this lotus-structure the energy of my body and
my thoughts relaxed. I could smell the sandalwood incense burning and
watched it making shapes in the air as it slowly filled the center of
the lotus.
What was outside of
me gradually disappeared and I found myself meditating. I sat in a
section where I would not be seen or approached. As I sat I felt this
energy of calming flowing over my body as the sun's rays shot through
the roof. The way it lit up the whole center core was amazing.
 I
was there to honor and dedicate my thoughts to my best friend who had
died of a brain tumor the previous year. I went into my own world and
reflected on the lotus temple which created a sacred space for myself
in which I was able to remember significant moments with her and
celebrate what her friendship meant to me. One of the many important
lessons I have learnt in my friend Trish's passing is that life is
lived in moments, and that death's arrival cannot be predicted. If you
can become passionate about life, you can become a master of those
moments and create the life you want.
Trish had an amazing
way of staying present and being as grounded as a blade of grass
blowing in the wind whenever life became chaotic. She had an amazing
way of calming people and giving them strength. She was a courageous
woman who always saw others as her equal, and who never showed
competitiveness towards anyone. She had the power of grace and gave it
to everyone she met. I knew in my heart she was there at the temple
that day.
 Attracting
more than 2 million visitors like myself every year the Lotus temple
was built in the heart of New Delhi, India. The new temple welcomes
people of all races and religions, all cultures and classes. This
extraordinary structure has been hailed as one of the most outstanding
architectural achievements of this generation. The concept of the
temple was to build it as a Lotus flower because this symbol shows the
embodiment of India’s spiritual heritage. The lotus came to be born in
the creation and design for the Bahai temple. The appearance of the
lotus flower can be found in Zoroastrian, Christian and Islamic
traditions.
The central
auditorium seats twelve hundred people with the ability to fit an
additional thousand. The structure functions as a series of skylights
which allows light to enter the central hall, similar to the way light
travels through the petals of a lotus flower. It symbolizes the
oneness of God, religion, and humanity.
For the Bahai
community the completed temple stands as a witness to the spirituality
of all religions and the commitment to build a peaceful and united
world. Thousands come everyday to visit either for prayer or
meditation. The lotus represents the manifestation of God and it is
also associated with worship. There is a deep universal reverence for
the lotus.
The light and water play an important part of the structure as well.
Light enters the hall the same way it would pass through the inner
folds of the lotus temple. The center of the dome is a like a bud,
which had twenty-seven petals, the light enters the inner folds and is
then reflected throughout the hall. The central bud is held in place
by nine open petals. Each of them function as a skylight. The main
building is surrounded by nine pools of water; the shapes represent
the floating leaves of the lotus.
India is a land rich in cultural heritage whose people are steeped in
ancient and very diverse faiths. We can see this expression through
Indian life, art, and in particular the architecture which is evident
throughout India itself. These architectural symbols demonstrate the
inner most spirit of human kind which unite humanity with its creator.
The Bahai faith proclaims this unity, and sees it as one of their
foundations of their religion. When you visit the Lotus Temple you
feel the presence and the importance of a sacred healing place within
that is reflected outwardly.
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