Natural Bridge, VA, USA
8 Stupas
In 2023, the Bodhi Path network began a project to install eight stupas at its Natural Bridge, Virginia retreat center, around the center’s original Stupa of Enlightenment. The conditions came together for completion in June of 2024, a notable year during which Bodhi Path commemorated the 10th year since the parinirvana of the 14th Shamar Rinpoche.
Each stupa is about 7.5 feet tall (about 2.3 meters) including a pedestal base and is designed to represent one of the eight distinct important events in the life of Buddha Shakyamuni. Seven of them have an artistically created tsa tsa depicting a life event, visible to the public (all except the parinirvana stupa with its own design). Read more about the art illustrations and the stories that they tell of significant events in the life of the Buddha.
Karma Trinlay Rinpoche gave a talk on stupas for more background information on stupas.
Many Bodhi Path centers were involved in rolling mantras and making tsa tsas.
If inspired, you can make offerings to this wonderful and rare project.
Photos of the process show how things came together. Also presented is a peak at the metal and stone elements when they were in their early stages.
Things Coming Together
Stone was put on the water. Metal parts were delivered to the site. Foundations were put in. Pumbas, tsa tsas, and life trees were made.
[Local Natural Bridge Retreat Center site photos from resident Dharma Teacher Tsony.]
Traveling Lamas
Lamas traveled, some from overseas, to Virginia for two weeks up to eight weeks to support this project and perform ceremonies, including:
- Blessing the fillings for the stupas: tsa tsas, mantra rolls and so on.
- Placing the fillings inside stupas.
- Assisting in assembling the stupa elements.
- Leading inauguration ceremonies.
MAKE A GIFT
If You Would Like To Support
Making Offerings
Offerings to the 8 Stupas can be made to Wisdom Foundation, the U.S. 501(c)(3) non profit organization that supports Bodhi Path Buddhist Centers. All donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Thank you for your generosity!
Continue scrolling on this page for more on the activity that went into the 8 Stupas project.
Mantra Rolling and Tsa Tsa Making
Stupas were filled with precious objects including mantra rolls and tsa tsas, which were blessed by lamas before they were placed inside the stupas. Many Bodhi Path students from various centers wee involved in making the rolls and tsa tsas, some of whom are pictured below.
Artwork for Bas Relief Tsa Tsas
The artwork below was created for custom-made bas relief tsa tsas that were placed in seven of the eight stupas (all except the parinirvana stupa with its own unique design). Each illustration, about a major event in the Buddha’s life, was researched by our teacher Karma Trinlay Rinpoche, who also provided seed funding to initiate this $25,000 bas relief tsa tsa undertaking. Subsequently, students have completed the funding for the production of this part of the project.
Metal Elements and Stone Building Blocks
This project was truly global in scope. The granite stone pieces were from a stone quarry and were being carved in Poland. Metal elements were fabricated in Germany and gilded there by an expert in gold application for stupas. Arrangements were made to deliver the elements to the Natural Bridge Retreat Center, where the parts were assembled and the stupas was filled by lamas. The stupa architect worked closely with Karma Trinlay Rinpoche on the stupas’ designs, and then with the artisans to execute their parts of the process.
Photo Credits
- Stone elements: Piramida
- Metal elements: Heino Santo
- Gold elements: Barbara Walther
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