Reliquary Stoupa

Shamar Rinpoche's Presence at Dhagpo

Stoupa de Shamar Rinpoché

Just as the Buddha’s relics were shared among his disciples and protected within several stupas, those of Shamar Rinpoche will be sheltered in the same way. Dhagpo Kagyu Ling’s new stupa will be among those which welcome a part of his relics. Other parts are already conserved at KIBI, New Delhi and in the recently-inaugurated stupa at his center Bodhi Path Renchen Ulm in Germany. Others will be sheltered in the center Bodhi Path Natural Bridge, in the United States, as well as at Shar Minub Institute in Nepal.

The stupa has been built behind Dhagpo’s Institute. The new space will offer a place to practice and to gather.

What are relics?

A relic is a fragment of the body (bones, teeth, etc.) or an object belonging to a great master or a holy person. According to Khenpo Chodrak Rinpoche, the Tibetan term for “relic” refers to the fact that it is “of great value, so great that it is beyond all price.”
Such a stupa allows one to connect to the possibility of enlightenment through the presence and the blessing of an extraordinary being like Shamar Rinpoche.
Physical relics of a master’s body also benefit us as a reminder that all beings, ordinary and realized, are subject to impermanence.

Multimedia Archives: Blog and Construction Log Book

Jul 2018 10

Shamar Rinpoche’s Statue

On November 26, 2017, the stupa’s definitive statue was installed. You can relive the moment below. Nestled in the heart of the stupa, this statue is the first statue of 14th Shamar Rinpoche created. Bénédicte Henicz, a French artist and disciple of Shamar Rinpoche, realized the statue with guidance from Jigme Rinpoche.
Here, she tells us more about the steps of its creation.

Nov 2016 18

Consecration of the Stupa, a day of Duchen

On Duchen days, we celebrate the major events marking the life of Buddha. These days are particularly favorable for group practice. On this day, we will commemorate the return of the Buddha from the divine world of Tushita where he went to transmit teachings to his mother, who had taken rebirth there as well as other inhabitants in this sphere.

Nov 2016 9

A Puja in Good Auspice

Before the mantra rolls and tsatsas could be placed within the stupa, they needed to be purified and consecrated. This consecration puja took place during one week at Dhagpo and benefitted from the presence of two great lamas of the Karma Kagyu lineage: Nendo Rinpoche and Lama Nygyam. Both are accomplished practitioners and, furthermore, especially connected with Shamar Rinpoche. [Article & video]

Oct 2016 30

Tsatsas and Bumpas for the Stupa

As the future stupa that will welcome a part of Shamar Rinpoche's relics is slowly taking form, we continue our discovery of the secrets of the fabrication of the various elements that it will contain. This time, let's take a look at tsatsas and bumpas! As many of you already know, a tsatsa is a Buddhist image made of clay or plaster and created using a mold or stamp. (...) As for the bumpas (the Tibetan term), these are vases. They were placed in the foundations of Shamar Rinpoche's stupa in early September. ... [Article & video]

Oct 2016 28

The Sokshing, a Sacred “Spine!”

In the center of the stupa, amidst the sacred substances, relics, and other mantra rolls, there is a fundamental element: the sokshing. The Tibetan term “sokshing,” which is translated as “tree of life” designates an elaborated sculpted tree trunk executed according to specific codes and with corresponding rituals. Generally, it is placed vertically in the center of statues and stupas, acting as a spine. (...) [Article & video]

Oct 2016 14

The “Mantra Workshops”: An Activity in Service of Enlightenment

With less than two months remaining prior to the consecration of the stupa that will house a part of Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche's relics, we are busying ourselves all over to prepare the substances that will fill the stupa. Among these, there are thousands of mantra rolls created in workshops set up at Dhagpo, Kundreul Ling, as well as numerous KTTs. [Article & vidéo]

Jun 2016 20

At the Heart of the Stupa

As a stupa is a reliquary monument, its design reflects its purpose as a receptacle for various substances and sacred objects. Hollowed-out spaces and different types of niches make up its interior. The contents of a stupa and its ritual consecration (rabne in Tibetan) give it its force and make it a support for practice that carries the blessing of the three jewels.

Nov 2015 3

Consecrating the site

Once the location and orientation of the stupa have been determined, a ceremony is carried out to consecrate the place.
This concerns the preparation of the site on a spiritual level, in other words assuring that all goes well from the construction itself to the environment of the stupa.

Jul 2015 30

The Genesis of a Stupa

The adventure of building a stupa begins with choosing the ideal location. Since the Institute's construction, Lama Jigme Rinpoche has expressed the wish for the erection of a stupa behind the building. Indeed, a sizable space is available to be adapted for this purpose and create a place predisposed for practice and meditation.