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In the 1970s, Ian Green was enjoying the busy world of advertising in Australia - a life of booze and partying. But one day the fast-moving life seemed to stop. In a way, he felt like he was empty inside. And he went on a tour of India.
After reaching India, he saw a temple in every corner, faith in every person. He realized, 'I have been forgetting the spiritual side all my life.' Not only did the diversity of Hinduism attract him, he experienced an unprecedented peace after reaching the Deer Park in Sarnath. From there, he bought a small book, a book on Buddhism, 'What is Buddhism?' After reading it, a profound change took place in him .
After returning to Australia, he heard the sermon of a Buddhist monk who had returned from Nepal. After that, a new chapter started in his life. In 1979, he reached the monastery in Kapan for the first time. There he met Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche. The goal of life became clear - meditation, sadhana, and service to Buddhism.
That trip took him to a forest in Bendigo, Victoria. Father's offer of 50 acres of land, Lama Yeshe's blessing and Ian's devotion gave birth to - 'The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion'. Based on Gyantse Gumbum in Tibet, this stupa is now 50 meters high. It is said that it will take about five decades to complete the construction according to the concept and design. 
'The foundation was laid in 2003,' recalls Ian, 'still not quite ready. It may take another two/three decades.' But this stupa has now become a tourist destination. The Australian government has given millions of dollars in grants for the construction of the structure . The world's largest Kalachakra mandala is being built on the ceiling.
Ian's journey is not only personal - it is also a cultural and inter-religious bridge. Therefore, the Australian government awarded him with the Order of Australia Medal (OAM). His life is now entirely devoted to Buddhist discipline. But he says, "Life was difficult in the beginning, but now I think - very few people get such an opportunity, which can benefit others for thousands of years even after death."
When asked about his family, wife Judy and three sons, he smiles. 'Mrs. is my biggest support . He doesn't want to be in the limelight . But it was possible with his help.' 
Ian's life is now also connected with Lumbini . "More than two lakh Nepalis are in Australia," he says. If you meet a Nepali in Australia, he will ask you - 'Have you been to Lumbini?' But if you get the answer that you didn't go, it will be unpleasant. "I feel like we don't know Lumbini anymore," he says.
So now he is going to organize a 'Lumbini Festival' dedicated to Nepali culture at 'The Great Stupa' with a plan to promote Lumbini. The festival, which includes Nepali food, dance, and religious stories, will be held in November.
In fact, Ian Green's story is not just one person's journey. It is in itself a confluence of the busyness of the West and the peace of the East . His life started in the jungles of Bendigo and lately he has been connected to Lumbini . Therefore, he has a plan to build a small Lumbini in the 'The Great Stupa' complex.
