Exploring the Essence of the Dewachen Sanctuary in Floridablanca, Colombia: A Vision in Images
- Martha Cecilia Vesga de Olsson
- Dec 15, 2024
- 3 min read
The Dewachen Sanctuary, in addition to being a physical place, is a spiritual refuge that gives you internal freedom. In this photographic tour I invite you to explore the most significant corners, where every detail has been created with intention and love. I also show you the evolution of the construction of the sanctuary and pay tribute to all those who contributed their energy and dedication to making it a reality.
Inspiration for the construction of the Sanctuary
Every corner of the Dewachen Sanctuary tells a story of dedication, art and spirituality that harmoniously connects with the epic purpose of inspiring healing and re-connection, uniting the energies of all those who collaborated to bring it to life.
I have tried to stay as faithful as possible to the Tibetan customs of decorating the great Buddhist temples, in terms of colors, textures and layout in space. Some of the ornaments on the walls and columns are carved wood and others molded in plaster on site and then painted in gold. The fabrics, as well as the prayer flags, were brought from Kathmandu, Nepal and Dharamsala, India, in 2018 and 2019 when I made my pilgrimage trips through those lands to learn about the culture, Buddhist rituals and study more deeply the teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni, Siddharta Gautama. Thanks to my friend Rogerio for accompanying me on the first exploration and thanks to my daughter Daniella for being my pimp on the second trip. I really enjoyed the company. I believe that having lived this experience and practiced Buddhism during these years has given me greater security and strength to be able to share with you the sweetness and spiritual welcome that I feel within me today. Each element of the sanctuary seeks to reflect the beauty, spirituality and healing energy that I felt in those sacred places, uniting tradition and purpose in a unique space for transformation and peace.
The entrance and surroundings
Crossing the threshold of the Dewachen Shrine, the soul finds space to breathe. The entrance adorned with details that evoke purity and serenity invites you to leave the weight of the outside world behind. Every element, from the stones under your feet to the plaster engravings, seems to whisper a single truth: this is a place to heal, a refuge for the spirit.
In this photo gallery you can see how the work was carried out to adapt the physical place where the Sanctuary is located. There were no plans, no designs, I just woke up one day and told myself: it is not possible that I am going to leave the consecrated statues that I just received inside the crates where they came packaged and so I let myself be carried away by intuition.
The Central Altar and the Sacred Elements
On the central altar, the Medicine Buddha and Yuthok Yönten Gönpo stand as guardians of healing and wisdom. The statues, made and consecrated by Lama Chimed in Mauá, Brazil, were sculpted with devotion and precision, transmitting the pure energy of his teachings.
Recognition of Master Builders
The Dewachen Sanctuary would not be a reality without the dedication and talent of the master builders who participated in its construction. Their hands shaped every detail of the sanctuary, respecting the spiritual and architectural vision that this space demanded. I want to express my deepest gratitude to maestro Oscar González and his assistants Snejder González, Andrés Dueñez and Erwin Gonzalez, whose skill, commitment and tireless effort made this project possible. From the design of the altars to the construction of the structures, each step was guided by meticulous work and a deep respect for the tradition and purpose of this place. Their contribution not only created a physical space, but a spiritual refuge that now welcomes all those seeking peace, healing and inner connection.
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