While many of the world’s leaders were gathered in Copenhagen taking on the challenge of a collective response to climate change, an important step was taken in Cottonwood, Arizona on December 16, 2009 towards individual responsibility of the earth’s stewardship.

Under clear skies near the Coconino National Forest, an international gathering of community leaders, local residents and international visitors celebrated the opening of the Mago Earth Park, a natural oasis and educational environment for peace and harmony.

The event featured the introduction of a new landmark, a 39-foot statue of “Mago” and six-acre park, surrounded by Red Rock Country vistas. Rooted in ancient East Asian tradition, Mago (麻姑) is a name for Mother Earth. Ma means “mother” and go means “eminent and ancient origin.” Mago is similar in significance to Gaia in Western culture. It is a name that holds deep reverence, love, and gratitude for the Earth.

Mago figures in the Budoji (符都誌), a text written by Jesang Park, a famous scholar of the ancient Korean Shilla Dynasty (BC363-418). According to this text, Mago is the mother and originator of all life, and she was the spiritual leader who established Mago Castle, an ideal environment where humans maintained peace and harmony between one another and with nature. From its inception, humanity has dreamed of a society of harmony and unity like Mago Castle. Mago is a mythological, universal symbol of this longing that recurs in the ancient world across cultures.

Mago Earth Park founder Ilchi Lee says, “The majestic beauty of the Sedona and Cottonwood areas holds the power and atmosphere to awaken the noblest part of the human spirit. Anyone standing on this land can feel love for Mother Earth and experience the realization that when we go beyond differences of nationality, religion, race, and culture, all humanity becomes our family of Earth Citizens. The sculptural representation of Mago is erected here as a symbol of unity of humanity, not a symbol of a specific belief.”

It is hoped that Mago statue will enable people to move beyond intellectual consideration of the earth’s condition and inspire passionate concern and action on the part of each individual.

Please visit http://www.magoearthpark.org for more information about Mago and the Mago Earth Park.