In conjunction with the Dalai Lama's visit in September, 2005, a beautifully carved Tibetan Prayer Wheel was located
in this Garden. It is one of only two in North America, and the only one blessed by him. It was created by Buddhist
monks in northern India in the Tibetan capital in exile Dharamsala, and is filled with over one million written mantras.
It is the center piece of a contemplative garden, the Garden of Infinite Compassion, designed by renowned landscape
designer, Martin Mosko. Giant boulders keep watch over reflecting ponds and a quiet, meandering stream. When one turns the Prayer Wheel, blessings of hope, peace and compassion are sent out to all the world.
The Garden's Landscape architect, Martin Mosko, is a graduate of Yale University and has trained extensively with Japanese
master gardeners. His gardens display both unsurpassed artistry as well as technical excellence. His vision is to create
landscapes of wonder that help to define the three aspects of contemplative design: the physical, the energetic, and the
metaphysical. The garden includes a proper understanding of proportion, a correct use of space, and the integration
of light and color in ways that are both pleasing to the eye and comforting to the soul. Mosko considers the natural
flow of the energy of the land, as well as the diverse characteristics of drainage and wind and light patterns.
The Sawtooth Botanical Garden is honored to be chosen as the site for the Prayer Wheel and to have the opportunity to
create a very special place for people of all faiths to come, reflect and find peace. We are pleased that the Garden of
Infinite Compassion fits so well with our mission of serving the community as a high altitude botanical garden and
educational center, with our mission of educating and inspiring people to appreciate and live in balance with
the natural world.
Over 3000 bulbs have been planted in the berm overlooking the Garden of Infinite Compassion for a May/June bloom time.
Bulbs include Daffodils, Muscari (grape hyacinth), Scilla, Chionodoxa, and Dutch Tulips. The western berm has been lightly
seeded with locally collected perennial wildflowers such as Lupine,
Sego Lilies, and Scarlet Gilia. Plant labels will be installed as funds become available.
