building rock piles

jewelrygirl · 2010-07-28T14:53:33+02:00

Explore the significance of building rock piles in Tibet and other cultures, their spiritual meanings, and personal experiences of creating these mindful structures.

jewelrygirl New member

Member since 21 June 2010

jewelrygirlNew member28 July 2010 12:53:33

Throughout the United States and Canada, many wooded trails have rock stacks that are not just trail markers. Many of these rock piles are a similar purpose as those in Tibet, associated with patience, balance, and meditation involved in creating a good one.
I was told that in Hawaii, people build these rock stacks as a memorial to deceased loved ones. Building them is a kind of prayer or meditation. It's hard to think of other things when you're balancing rocks. It takes body, mind and soul.
In Tibetan Buddhism they have a practice that used rock piles. These rock piles are most evident in Tibet and the Indian Himalayas. Some of the piles contain stones which are inscribed with a Buddhist mantra to pay homage to the spirits of the sky and mountains and to ensure a safe journey. Other customs associated with the rock piles include walking around the pile 3 times in a clockwise direction and offering alms such as honey, sweets or alcohol.
Have you even seen a rock pile? Where and when?
Or, have you ever made a rock pile?

See also

Living in Tibet: the 暗网禁区 guide