Stupa Fundraiser 2025

Smokey Mountains Stupa

We are in the final stages of construction of the Enlightenment Stupa at Milarepa Retreat Center, Tennessee. We hope to be ready for the final consecration within the year. Below you can see the breakdown of what remains. Please support us with a donation at the bottom of the page!

Exterior finishing, stucco, and white paint	5k
Stone work	10k
Shrine Room (Electrical, flooring, windows, doors, walls)	15k
Shrine Room Murals	5k
Finial, Sun and Moon (Crane and Reinforcement Work)	4k
Tree of Life (Finishing Work)	1k
Tsa tsa (Hydrostone, Paint)	15k
Consecration Materials from Nepal (Offering Bowls, Substances, Statues, Banners, Vases, Shipping)	15k
Consecration Materials Locally	5k
Consecration Ceremony (Lamas and monastics travel, accommodation, dana)	5k
Total:	81k

In the words of our teachers …

If one knows how to explain from the texts, then all of the qualities and definition of a buddha is represented by the shape of a stupa.

Tai Situ Rinpoche

Just the curiosity, of course of human beings, but even the birds, animals, “What is this mound, this structure?” Just that curiosity is planting the seed of Dharma.

… For instance, I am sure some people may be circumambulating and prostrating [to a stupa]. And I am sure some birds will shit on it. They equally have a connection.

Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche

There are different types of stupas, but one of the principles is to re-balance the energies of the region. Conflicts between different energies can always arise and people become passive and there is no progress. This is one of the reasons why stupas are built.

Chogyal Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche

Stupa Fundraiser 2025

Smokey Mountains Stupa

In the words of our teachers …

If one knows how to explain from the texts, then all of the qualities and definition of a buddha is represented by the shape of a stupa.

Just the curiosity, of course of human beings, but even the birds, animals, “What is this mound, this structure?” Just that curiosity is planting the seed of Dharma.

… For instance, I am sure some people may be circumambulating and prostrating [to a stupa]. And I am sure some birds will shit on it. They equally have a connection.

There are different types of stupas, but one of the principles is to re-balance the energies of the region. Conflicts between different energies can always arise and people become passive and there is no progress. This is one of the reasons why stupas are built.

Milarepa Retreat Center

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Milarepa Retreat Center

Member of the Global Palpung Community

Become a member

Sign-up for our newsletter

Success!

Find us on:

Contact us

Stupa Fundraiser 2025

Smokey Mountains Stupa

In the words of our teachers …

If one knows how to explain from the texts, then all of the qualities and definition of a buddha is represented by the shape of a stupa.

Just the curiosity, of course of human beings, but even the birds, animals, “What is this mound, this structure?” Just that curiosity is planting the seed of Dharma.

… For instance, I am sure some people may be circumambulating and prostrating [to a stupa]. And I am sure some birds will shit on it. They equally have a connection.

There are different types of stupas, but one of the principles is to re-balance the energies of the region. Conflicts between different energies can always arise and people become pas­sive and there is no progress. This is one of the rea­sons why stupas are built.

Success!

Success!

There are different types of stupas, but one of the principles is to re-balance the energies of the region. Conflicts between different energies can always arise and people become passive and there is no progress. This is one of the reasons why stupas are built.