A Garden for Meditation

The Calm at the Heart of Change

Originally, Sukhavati Garden was conceived as a landscaping project for the natural area behind the Institute, creating a quiet outdoor space conducive to meditation practice.

Following the construction of the Great Stupa, which enshrines the relics of Künzig Shamarpa, the addition of eight gilded copper stupas, a large prayer wheel, and two commemorative stupas dedicated to Lama Gendun Rinpoche and Lama Purtse has naturally shaped new spaces within the garden.

The circumambulation path linking all of Dhagpo’s stupas extended the garden to the surroundings of Dhagpo’s historic temple.

Today, the garden is expanding once again to offer a new meditation space. A pathway will lead directly to the heart of the Institute’s Residences garden, which will be home to a new stupa and meditative spaces.

The Eight Stupas

In the tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, there are eight specific forms that commemorate important moments in the life of Buddha Shakyamuni. One finds a specific form of stupa for each event marking the Buddha’s life, from his birth to his death, including his attainment of enlightenment. The amount of elements involved and the manner of assembly vary from one type to another.

The celebration of these eights events in the historical Buddha’s life is associated with eight locations, which have become pilgrimage sites principally located in India’s Indo-Ganges plain (with the exception of Lumbini, which is in Nepal).

The Lotus Blossom Stupa celebrates the Buddha’s birth in Lumbini park.
The Conquest of Mara or Enlightenment Stupa commemorates his enlightenment in Bodhgaya.
The Stupa of Turning the Wheel of Dharma recalls his first teaching following enlightenment in Sarnath’s Deer Park.
The Stupa of Descent from Tushita Heaven celebrates his return among humans on Mount Sankashya following a stay in the divine realms where the Buddha went to give teachings to his mother.
The Reconciliation Stupa recalls the end of the schism at Rajgir.
6. The Great Miracle Stupa commemorates how the Buddha overcame mistaken masters of philosophy in Shravasti.
The All-Victorious Stupa celebrates victory over death at Vaishali.
The Parinirvana Stupa recalls the Buddha’s death in Kushinagar.

The eight stupas are fabricated in copper finished with gold leaf, according to tradition. They were created by Gérard Guinot, an artisan in connection with Dhagpo who is also responsible for the statues of the Institute and the small temple. Each stupa will be roughly 1.7 meters (5 ft., 7 in.) high. They will be placed on granite blocks in pairs. A pavilion-style roof will protect them from the elements.

The Prayer Wheels

In an open pavilion overhanging Shamar Rinpoche’s stupa and the eight stupas, there will be a manual prayer wheel engraved with Kalachakra’s mantra.

There will be a sitting area available for meditation, turning the prayer wheel, or contemplation close by Lama Purtsela’s house.

The Two Carved Stone Stupas

These two stupas were crafted in the traditional Nepalese style. They were carved in Nepal, then assembled and consecrated at Dhagpo. Their presence is an homage to Lama Gendun Rinpoche and Lama Purtsela.

The Circumambulation Path

A circumambulation path links all of Dhagpo’s stupas. Beginning at the Stupa of Enlightenment in front of the Institute, it continues to Shamar Rinpoche’s Stupa and the Eight Stupas, then passes the two carved stone stupas, the prayer wheel pavilion, and the prayer flags before reaching the historic stupa. From there, it continues past the prayer wheels and the surroundings of the historic temple before returning to the forecourt of the Institute.

The Licchavi Chaitya Stupa

Composed of a square base surmounted by a dome and crowned with a finial, this Nepalese-style carved stone stupa will echo the two existing stone stupas while being larger in scale.

Notes from the Road

Follow the progress of the project…

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