Dear worldwide sangha and friends,

After two years of effort by dedicated workers and the continuous support of devoted sangha and friends, the construction aspect of the stupa monument for our precious teacher Ven. Gyatrul Rinpoche has been completed.  

We would like to share some photos of the final stages. The spire and umbrella have been set on top, the gau ornament has been placed, and the statue of Vajrasattva has taken its seat in the gau chamber. Workers have recently finished the process of relocating and smoothing all of the earth that was displaced when building the stupa's foundation, seeding the area with many flower and grass seeds and covering it with straw for the winter. 

The stupa is now a pristine white color and it shines brilliantly in the sun like a snow mountain while the golden spire sparkles, uplifting the hearts of all who see it.

Vajrasattva statue on its seat in the stupa's gau

Completed stupa on day of Vajrasattva statue placement

Before construction began, one of our building volunteers commented, "The stupa is already there. We just have to make offerings to it!" And, after a summer rich with offerings of concrete and rebar, sacred images and precious substances, joyful effort, sweat, and determination, the stupa has appeared! This is truly a manifestation of Ven. Gyatrul Rinpoche's enlightened activity, so that all beings may freshly connect with his compassionate presence.

Chakung Jigme Wangdrak Rinpoche will bestow a brief blessing during this year’s Vajrakilaya retreat in November. The formal consecration ceremony will be presided over by Gochen Tulku Sang-Ngag Rinpoche, tentatively scheduled for October 3rd-5th, 2026.    

Completed stupa, ready to be blessed and then consecrated

(To view more images of these last stages of stupa construction, click HERE!)

Now that the stupa has been completed, what remains is to landscape a beautiful environment to properly honor it. This phase is in the planning stages.  

If you wish to visit the stupa, you are welcome to spend time there and at the adjacent Vajrasattva Statue Garden any time you come to Tashi Choling.

Stupa and adjacent Vajrasattva Statue Garden

We wish to express our deep gratitude to all who made a monetary contribution to the stupa project. Due to your practice of giving, we were able to meet our funding needs within the construction timeline in a perfect flow. With each dollar you gave, devotion expressing itself as generosity became the stable foundation of merit for this project. Through that, the stupa could manifest swiftly and without obstacle – how inspiring to witness this process taking place!

And, we would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the volunteers who helped from far and wide: the tsa tsa makers, the construction crew, the donors of sacred items, the cooks and shoppers, those who helped to prepare the precious substances and the drivers who helped transport them, and those who helped to offer the tsa tsa and substances into the chambers of the stupa. Finally, many thanks to those who recited over 530,000 mantras and prayers to ensure smooth progress with no obstacles. 

Everyone’s generosity, in the many forms it took, came together to invoke this magnificent support of harmony, prosperity, love, wisdom and enlightenment into our world. Thank you!

May the stupa stand for many aeons, and may Rinpoche’s enlightened activity ever increase to benefit beings!

Tashi Choling is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. EIN# 93-1273454.