A pair of handprints mar the body of Buddha in West Sedona.

That’s how some local Buddhists view two blemishes that appeared last August on the base of the 36-foot tall Amitabha Stupa, a sacred architectural structure revered in Buddhism as a source of compassion.

“We Buddhists consider a stupa to be a physical embodiment of the body, speech and mind of the Buddha,” said Wib Middleton, one of the stupa’s caretakers.

Middleton said the handprints were likely left by someone who did not understand the sacredness of the stupa as more than a structure.

The stupa’s caretakers — who include Lynn and Olin Robie, Wib and Jane Middleton, David and Sylvia Sommerville and Brenda Baker — have attempted to remove the prints from the sacred Buddhist structure but to no avail, according to Wib Middleton. They will likely have to repaint the stupa, a process that will take considerable time and effort.

The architecture of a stupa metaphorically embodies the shape of Buddha sitting cross-legged on a throne. The shape of the stupa reflects the stages of enlightenment with a bronze spire rising into the air.

Stupas are among the oldest forms of sacred architecture in the world, dating back to the first Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, who lived and taught in India in the sixth century B.C.E.

Buddhists with the Kunzang Palyul Chöling community built the Amitabha Stupa in Sedona in 2004 under the guidance of KPC founder and spiritual leader Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo.

“Stupas have existed for 2,600 years,” Middleton said. “It’s not an ordinary object. They have certain qualities because of what’s inside.”

Although Amitabha Stupa looks like a solid concrete block, the interior is hollow. During its construction, it was filled with items to serve as “antidotes to different types of suffering,” Middleton said.

There are hundreds of mantra rolls covered in prayers for compassion written in tiny, 2-point font. The scrolls were bound and stacked inside the stupa along with offerings of grain to prevent famine, and medicine plants and herbs to heal diseases. The Amitabha Stupa has close to a billion prayers for peace inside, Middleton said.

Also included are sacred objects, relics of Buddhist lamas and holy texts Buddhists believe amplify and magnify the power of prayers and compassionate thoughts made in the stupa’s presence.

“You can think of them as a super generator of compassionate intention,” he said.

Middleton said the caretakers want people to enjoy the stupa and use its “spiritual technology” as a focal point for prayer, but respect the sacredness of the stupa and the surrounding park.

No one person owns the land, Middleton said. It is collectively owned by KPC. There is also a small stupa, a teak wood statue of Buddha and a medicine wheel on the property.

Non-Buddhists also contribute, such as John Schaefer, who maintains a certified wild bird habitat at the park.

Stupas are rare in the Western world, but common throughout countries with large Buddhist populations.

Amitabha Stupa Park is located on Pueblo Road, West Sedona.

Guidelines for the Amitabha Stupa Park:

• The park opens daily at dawn and closes at dusk.
• The Buddhist tradition is to walk around the stupa clockwise while making personal prayers for peace, compassion and the end to suffering in the world.
• Circling the stupa three times is traditional, but more circuits are always beneficial.
• Leaving donations on the stupa’s altar in considered auspicious. Typical donations include flowers, crystals, jewelry, shells and beautiful objects.
• Visitors should not leave personal photos, nor remove anyone else’s offerings.
• No smoking, incense, smudges, candles or flammable materials are permitted due to fire restrictions.
• Do not stand, sit, climb or place any objects on the stupa itself because it is considered sacred.
• Do lot leave food offerings because they encourage wildlife.
• Pets are welcome but should be leashed.
• No evening use nor camping is permitted at the stupa park.
• For private group tours, call (877) 788-7229.