Dorje Shugden Stupas in Tibet Dorje Shugden Stupas in Tibet
Beautiful stupas of Dorje Shugden (gyalchen tendoe) have been constructed all over Tibet. A symbol of Enlightenment, stupas are a form of spiritual architecture... Dorje Shugden Stupas in Tibet
Dorje Shugden stupa in Tibet

Stupa of Dorje Shugden

A symbol of Enlightenment, stupas are a form of spiritual architecture that have existed even before the time of Buddha Shakyamuni. Originally serving as tombs for important figures such as kings and national heroes in ancient times, the practice of constructing stupas has since been renewed by the Buddha to represent the heart of Enlightenment. The tradition of erecting stupas then spread across Asia and has resulted in thousands of stupas being built in every Buddhist country in the world and by Buddhists of all traditions.

The Buddhist stupa or chorten in Tibetan usually contains precious relics of highly attained masters as well as countless images of Buddhas and Dharma texts, in order for future generations to make a connection with the Dharma and gain blessings. Due to the potency of its blessings to practitioners, stupas are often a pilgrimage destination for Buddhists. One such place is the famous Boudhanath Stupa in Nepal.

Practitioners jointly fill this stupa with holy items

Practitioners jointly fill this stupa with holy items

Remaining true to the Buddhist tradition, dedicated practitioners have taken it upon themselves to construct beautiful stupas of Dorje Shugden (gyalchen tendoe) all over Tibet. Designed in the style of the pagoda, a common form of stupa built by Korean, Chinese and Japanese Buddhists, these Dorje Shugden stupas bless all who encounter them.

These pagoda-like Dorje Shugden stupas are extremely beneficial as they attract many other Buddhists of different traditions to make offerings and receive the blessings and assistance of Dorje Shugden. Although the external structure of a pagoda and the more common Tibetan stupa are different, in essence they do not differ, as what constitutes a stupa is its internal symmetry and space.

The completed Dorje Shugden stupa

The completed Dorje Shugden stupa

Offering khatas to a stupa is a very meritorious act

Offering khatas to a stupa is a very meritorious act

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  • Lew

    Posted on July 10, 2016 #1 Author

    It is always great to see photos of beautiful stupa. This article didn’t say where is the stupa. Can someone tell us where in Tibet is this stupa? This is also the first time I see a Tibetan stupa in pagoda style. To my limited knowledge, the pagoda style is very common among the Mahayana tradition, but I never know this pagoda style is used for stupa also.

    May all the people who donated to the building of stupa, and the people who build the stupa collect merits to achieve higher learning and training.

    Reply

  • pammie yap

    Posted on August 24, 2016 #2 Author

    Beautiful stupa! I always find stupas to be beautiful and holy filled with lots of blessings. Just like the Vajrayogini Stupa in Kechara Forest Retreat (http://retreat.kechara.com/news/vajrayogini-stupa-at-kechara-forest-retreat/).

    We at Kechara Forest Retreat are truly fortunate to have a stupa that is filled with so many blessed items because we get to circumambulate and make our aspirations for now and for others in the future.

    I can still remember the time KFR stupa was being built. So exciting and amazed at the process. All the fine carving and work it took to build. Would be even more exciting when we have different stupas in KFR in the future.

    Reply

  • nicholas

    Posted on August 24, 2016 #3 Author

    Stupa is the oldest Buddhist spiritual monument. It represent the enlightened mind the path to its realisation.

    For Buddhists, building stupas also has karmic benefits. Karma, a key component in both Hinduism and Buddhism, is the energy generated by a person’s actions and the ethical consequences of those actions.

    As a Dorje Shugden practitioners it’s always a blessing to be able to circumambulate Dorje Shugden Stupa. May there be more Dorje Shugden stupa build and many people able to be bless.

    We are honoured to have Vajrayogini Stupa in Kechara Forest Retreat. The stupa was build according to the traditional manner and we have stored a lot of relics, Buddha images, spiritual text and many other holy items. Kechara Organisation is after Vajrayogini heaven and it’s so auspicious that we have this holy stupa.

    Reply

  • Pastor Henry Ooi

    Posted on August 24, 2016 #4 Author

    A stupa dedicated to Vajrayogini stands in Kechara Forest Retreat (KFR), Bentong, Malaysia. Local contractors prepared the ground and constructed the platform per engineering drawings.
    A team of three people, specialising in making stupas, were flown in from Nepal to construct the stupa, after Tibetan monks consecrated each section by section. Visitors to KFR like to walk around (circumambulate) the stupa while chanting mantra thus collecting merit. More stupa will be built in KFR and dedicate to different Buddhas.

    Reply

  • Pastor Antoinette Kass

    Posted on August 24, 2016 #5 Author

    It is important to know what Stupas are about and the many holy relics that they contain. It is very meritorious to circumambulate a Stupa with the many holy texts inside.
    In the picture above, the Stupa is dedicated to Dorje Shugden. Kechara Forest Retreat has a beautiful Vajra Yogini Stupa which blesses the land and all the beings. It is definitely a must-visit and very meritorious to make your aspirational prayers at the Stupa.

    Reply

  • Eric kksiow

    Posted on August 24, 2016 #6 Author

    This article make think of – http://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/10-articles-on-stupas-contest.html

    And the benefit of building Stupas :
    1. One will be born as the child of a great king.
    2. One will have a noble body
    3. One will become very beautiful and very attractive.
    4. One will have sharp sense faculties.
    5. One will be powerful and famous.
    6. One will have a great entourage of servants.
    7. One will become a leader of men.
    8. One will be a support to all.
    9. One will be renowned in the ten directions.
    10. One will be able to express oneself in words and verses extensively.
    11. One will receive offerings from men and gods.
    12. One will possess many riches.
    13. One will obtain the kingdom of a universal monarch.
    14. One will have long life.
    15. One’s body will be like a collection of vajras.
    16. One’s body will be endowed with the major marks and the minor signs (of a Buddha).
    17. One will take rebirth in the three higher realms.
    18. One will swiftly attain complete enlightenment.

    Wish everyone achieved No : 18. _/\_

    Thank You for refreshing back
    Eric kksiow _/\_

    Reply

  • Jace Chong

    Posted on August 25, 2016 #7 Author

    Beautiful and special stupa of Dorje Shugden! I never know stupa could be in pagoda shape :)

    There are many stupas in the world, one of the biggest stupa I have visited is Boudha stupa in Kathmandu, Nepal, but it was destroyed during the Nepal earthquake and they are rebuilding the stupa.

    My favourite stupa is still the Vajrayogini Stupa in Kechara Forest Retreat. My personal feeling for this stupa is it stabilizes the whole place with its powerful energy.

    May Kechara Forest Retreat will have a stupa of Dorje Shugden one day :)

    Reply

  • Julia Tan

    Posted on August 25, 2016 #8 Author

    It is very please to see stupas being built all over the world. Stupa symbolizes Buddhism. It represent the Buddha’s mind. We have our own very holy Vajra Yogini Stupa in Kechara Forest Retreat. It is located in the middle of three buildings. which are the Wisdom Hall where the biggest Dorje Shugden Statue is placed, the Tsem Ladrang, H.E. the 25th Tsem Tulku Rinpoche Residence and the Dukkar Apartment where we do retreat in group or individually, hosts meditation courses and also hostel for students who stayed in Kechara Forest Retreat.

    Rinpoche always encourages us to circumambulate, prostrate and even clean the Holy Vajra Yogini Stupa to purify our karma and collect merits. How can walking around the stupa have this benefits? Check it out http://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?s=stupa.

    We are very blessed to have everything just like a monastery in Kechara Forest Retreat, that compassionately and skilfully created by our beloved Guru, H.E. the 25th Tsem Tulku Rinpoche purely wanted to bring Dharma to all sentient beings.

    Reply

  • Pastor Chia

    Posted on August 25, 2016 #9 Author

    What a interesting article to know building a stupa of Dorje Shugden in Tibet. Stupa is symbolism of Buddha enlighten mind. Is nice to have many kind and different tradition are building at around the world. In Kechara Forest Retreat land has a stupa special build to contain Buddha Vajrayogini energy to bless this land. Inside Vajra Yogini stupa contain many images of Vajrayogini,,mantra and holy relic. Is very meritorious if can emu- circulate around the stupa, purify our negative karma from our delusion mind. In fact, we should building more stupa to bless the environment , animals and sentient being who can see the stupa images directly. purifying negative karma faster.

    Reply

  • Albert

    Posted on August 25, 2016 #10 Author

    Stupa is the sign of Buddhism still alive, many Stupas around the world was built to house the ashes of High Lamas, because of these great Lamas around, Dharma can be spread so far and so wide.

    I have been to a monastery many years ago, i like to go circumambulate the Stupa, while looking at the stupa, it reminded me how much the Great Lama that lies below it has done so much to spread the Dharma, to work for the benefit of others, because of them, because of their great compassion towards the sentient beings, I’m able to be here to learn the Dharma, to get blessing from the 3 Jewels, nothing i can do to repay their kindness, to repay the kindness of my guru, H.E. the 25th Tsem Rinpoche.

    May these stupas continue to stay for a very long, may Dharma continue to spread and benefit more people.

    Reply

  • Mingwen

    Posted on August 25, 2016 #11 Author

    Gorgeous and colourful stupas for The great Dharma Protector, Dorje Shugden! I would really like to have my Pilgrimage trips to various holy places of Buddhism, thus, this will be on my list!

    Thank you, Dorje Shugden.org !

    Reply

  • Pastor Ong Moh Mei

    Posted on August 25, 2016 #12 Author

    Having read about stupas and seeing so many beautiful photos of stupas, we are very blessed to have our own Vajrayogini stupa in Kechara Forest Retreat. Hopefully in the future we will also have Dorje Shugden stupa and many others in Malaysia.

    Reply

  • June Kang

    Posted on August 25, 2016 #13 Author

    This Dorje Shugden stupa shown that no matter what others said about Dorje Shugden, there are still many peoples are practicing. The reason is Dorje Shugden is an enlightened Dharma Protectorr and the emanation of Manjushri, and Dorje Shugden always help us in many ways.

    I like this pogada style of Dorje Shugden Stupa. Rejoice for all the Tibetans who have the opportunity circumambulate the Dorje Shugden stupa and being blessed .

    Reply

  • Khoo Hou Haw

    Posted on August 25, 2016 #14 Author

    I am very lucky to have the chance of being involved in building a Vajra Yogini stupa in Kechara Forest Retreat. The process of building the stupa was very strict to very inch. Experienced stupa makers and monks were here to ensure the whole process and structure was followed exactly to the tradition so that this stupa can bring great blessing to all who come to visit.

    Reply

  • Sofi

    Posted on September 6, 2016 #15 Author

    The Dorje Shugden stupa is so beautiful in its pagoda style with the many colours showing the riches of Tibetan tradition. It is rejoicing to know that plenty of Dorje Shugden stupas are being built by the people in Tibet as this shows that the propitiation of Protector Dorje Shugden is spreading effectively. Imagine the many people being blessed by Lord Dorje Shugden. The stupa, the embodiment of Heart of Enlightenment, with it containing holy relics of attained Masters could bring tremendous blessings to the people. It was told that a fly accidentally circumambulated a stupa and he was born as a man, so imagine the tremendous merits he gained from his circumambulation. May Lord Dorje Shugden continue to bless the people through every holy form possible.

    Reply

  • Fong

    Posted on September 15, 2016 #16 Author

    Many people believe the relics of holy beings are in essence energy and that if these were left behind for the future generations, then this energy will touch them. So, even if some people are firm believers of the religion, they do like to go to these places for the energy, as they term it.

    Therefore, the stupa can connect with the future generation even in the simplest way, but effective way.

    What is beautiful in these photos is that the Tibetan style stupas and the pagoda style stupas stand side by side. And, they are all beautiful and holy built according to age old specifications and meticulous attention. The love and respect on the faces of the devotees after they have completed the stupa is an affirmation that they love and respect the religion and the Buddha.

    I’m sure many will pay homage to this stupas and be blessed and connected with Dorje Shugden and the Three Jewels.

    Reply

  • Alice Tay

    Posted on April 26, 2017 #17 Author

    Stupa represents the mind of the Buddha. Therefore, it is very important and strict in building the stupa. For those who built the stupa may purifies many obstacles, brings all the realizations and achieve enlightenment ultimately.
    Besides, Dorje Shugden stupas in the style of the pagoda are extremely beneficial the local people and other visitors. They can circumambulate the stupas and make offerings as much as they can and receive the blessings and assistance of Dorje Shugden.

    Reply

  • Jacinta

    Posted on January 13, 2018 #18 Author

    Thank you for this article!
    Heard many stupas being erected but this is the first time hearing a Dorje Shugden stupa?

    Reply

  • yin ping

    Posted on April 26, 2018 #19 Author

    Stupa represents the Buddha’s enlightenment mind. By looking at the stupa, making offerings, prostrating or circumambulating, this creates imprint of enlightenment in the mind or open up more karma so that we can deeper our spiritual practice. Stupas built also calm the area from natural disasters, bring in good energy and bless all sentient beings.

    Rejoices to everyone who contributes and construct these beautiful stupas of Dorje Shugden. This pagoda-like stupa is unique in its outlook and yet the essence of the stupa is the same.

    Reply