Dorje Drolo Stupa on the Retreat Land in Pemakod:

In the sacred hidden land, Pemakod, the great Guru Padmasambhava manifested as Dorje Drolo and performed many of enlightened activities. Therefore, building a Dorje Drolo stupa in this very sacred place has great significance and will fulfill the aspirations of many masters of the past and present.

What Is a Stupa?

A stupa is an ancient form of sacred Buddhist architecture that is oriented to create a perfection of internal symmetry, such that it amplifies and broadcasts virtue that removes obstacles, subdues negative forces, and reaps benefit.

A stupa is first constructed on the inner realm, through the prayers and blessings of a Lama and his lineage, before its outer form can take shape. As it arises, it is filled with innumerable ritual objects blessed through ceremony, including the relics of great realized masters, rolled mantras, small clay representations of the different forms of the Buddha called tsa tsas, and other precious worldly treasures.

The outer form of a stupa represents a meditating Buddha, seated in the lotus position and crowned. Each of the five basic geometric shapes in the stupa corresponds to the five elements, and represents an attribute of an awakened being.

The Significance of a Dorje Drolo Stupa in Pemakod

Most of the time, when Guru Rinpoche subdued negative forces, he did so as Dorje Drolo, the most wrathful form of Guru Rinpoche. In the form of Dorje Drolo, Guru Rinpoche concealed treasure teachings (or "terma"), and entrusted oath-bound protectors or guardian spirits to guard the teachings for the benefit of beings at all times.

Pemakod is one main sacred place where most of these enlightened activities took place. Thus, Guru Rinpoche called Pemakod the "King of the Hidden Lands," wherein he had concealed his blessings of all kind.

In degenerate times, Guru Rinpoche's blessings are very powerful. Dorje Drolo brings Guru Rinpoche's enlightened power to liberate beings to their utmost intensity. So by constructing a Dorje Drolo stupa in Guru Rinpoche's Hidden Land, we are ensuring that the blessings are very swift and radiating to every direction. The power, swiftness and profundity of Guru Rinpoche's blessings in holy places like Pemakod is amplified tremendously.

So, for peace and happiness in the world--as well as to protect Pemakod from all forms of degeneration--a Dorje Drolo stupa will be constructed at a very significanct place, in Yoldong, Pemakod.

The Dorje Drolo Stupa Will be Filled with Many Precious Items

When China occupied Tibet, His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche instructed his heart disciples to leave the Chinese-occupied part of Pemakod and to resettle in the South. Many of His Holiness's closest disciples came to the retreat land of Tulku Orgyen Phuntsok's previous incarnation, Togden Sithar, in Yoldong,. They brought with them many sacred objects such as thangkas with His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche's calligraphy and handwriting on the back, large woodblock-style printed Prajnaparamita Sutra pechas, statues, and other precious objects. Although these objects will be enshrined in the new three story temple that is being built, some of these objects are no longer useable due to decay over time and the effect of harsh elements, but they are too precious to just throw out. Such precious items and other sacred relics will be enshrined in this Dorje Drolo stupa.

This stupa will be filled mostly with Dorje Drolo tsa tsas, as many as we can make. Since hydrostone is not available in Pemakod--but but beautiful rich clay is abundant--we will make the tsa tsas out of Pemakod clay, using brass molds. We are working on securing high quality brass Dorje Drolo tsa tsa molds that are as close as possible to the level of detail in the hydrostone molds used to make Dorje Drolo tsa tsas for Bhakha Rinpoche's stupa in New Mexico.

Thus this stupa will become and remain a very significant one in the hidden land, from simple commemoration of Padmasambhava's enlightened activity in the hidden land to a great site to pay respect, do practice and, for some, to attain liberation through seeing.

This stupa is expected to be completed at the end of next year, so that the consecration ceremony can take place at the same time as that of the main temple.

Please join us in fulfilling this aspiration in the hidden land.

Construction in Pemakod is very costly, as all materials--every bag of concrete, all rebar, every can of paint, and all other building materials--must be brought up from Tuting (where the road ends) on worker's backs. Additionally, artisans will be brought in to do the decorative work on the stupa, and their permits, transportation and other incidental costs must be covered as well as their wages.

Some offerings must be made to the specialized Lamas who oversee not only the construction itself, but also ritual performances at different stages of the construction. Likewise, and more importantly, all stages of interior work must be carried out in strict accordance with instructions for building an authentic stupa, including creating two mandalas and long life pole etc.

If you wish any further information please contact Willa Keizer, the principle fundraiser for this project.

May our precious teacher live long, and complete his aspiration for the benefit of beings.