The largest stupa in North American is the Great Stupa of Dharmakaya, which "Liberates Upon Seeing". It has been under construction at Red Feather Lakes - Rocky Mountain Shambhala Center near Fort Collins, Colorado since 1987 when Vidyahara Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche died. The Vidyahara was significant because he achieved a great deal in bringing Buddhism to the United States. He established the Naropa Institute in Boulder, Colorado in 1974, as well as the Nalanda Translation Committee, a group of Tibetan and Sanskrit scholars which has translated a large body of Buddhist texts into English. He also established Vajradhatu, an international association of Buddhist meditation centers or Dharma Study Groups. In 1983 he founded Gampo Abbey in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia which is a Kagyu monastery.

I attended the consecration ceremony on the last day August 18th, 2001. I have before and after photos which you can view on-line by clicking here.

A stupa (Sanskrit meaning "to heap") is a building which enshrines the physical remains (after cremation) of the teacher and is meant to represent the awakened state of enlightenment. It can be considered a mandala or sacred arrangement. It is shaped like a Buddha sitting in meditation posture on a lion throne. The spire with the jewel, sun and moon represents the crown chakra. The square at the base of the spire represents the head and the body is the vase shape. The spine is represented by the life force pole or "srok shing" made of cedar which houses some of the teacher's sacred remains. The main hall represents the throne upon which the master sits. All 5 elements (space, wind, fire, water and earth) are also represented symbolically from top to bottom of the stupa.

The work of experts in architecture, metal-casting, gold-leafing, painting and sculpture will culminate during the week of August 9th-18th, 2001 at the consecration of the Great Stupa of Dharmakaya which will be one of the biggest events in American Buddhist history. Come and visit this shrine which liberates upon seeing. Many dignitaries and Buddhist masters will attend from around the world. This stupa is located at the Rocky Mountain Shambhala Center outside of Fort Collins, Colorado near Red Feathers Lake. People can actually enter this stupa (many stupas you can only view from outside). It is 108 feet high and made of cement and much of it is covered with gold leaf.

The stupa represents a place to honor the heart of the teacher. To me the skull or head is a symbol of enlightenment. In fact the skull relic will be placed inside the large Buddha statue's heart on the main floor of the stupa.

The ceiling of the main floor of the stupa will have a painting of the Kalachakra mandala over the figure of a seated Buddha. On the next floor up is also a room for ceremony. It is a real blessing to visit this site. I was fortunate enough to help with rolling prayers while reciting mantras to put inside of the statues which will go into the stupa.



The goal of this page is to heighten the awareness of the Tibetan peoples plight and struggles. Please tell your friends to visit this site.

Go to Back to Red Dawn's Home Page

May all beings benefit.







See my dharma lenses here and join this great community!




Get One
For the person who likes to read their Buddhist books and mazazines on a gadget - try the Kindle!

Copyright 2000 - 2008 Marsha Camblin Denver, CO