Kurukulla Center Stupa Project

In the near future, we are going to build a large stupa in our back yard. We are not doing this to become famous or to have something to be proud of. We do this so that all sentient beings can create the causes to achieve happiness, in particular so that future generations can accumulate merit and purify negativities by circumambulating the stupa, making offerings, and so on.

If you leave your money in the bank, when you die this money might be a cause for your family or friends to fight with each other. But if you use the money for building something like a stupa, it will be a basis for many generations to accumulate merit. I think if you are able to help us, either by making a donation or by rejoicing in our efforts, this is a very good opportunity. -- Geshe Tsulga

Read a letter from Nick Ribush to the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive list April 2009.

Update to the Kurukulla e-list July 28th 2009:

Dear Kurukulla community,

Very exciting day today: the throne of our stupa was delivered and installed on its foundation:

Getting ready to unload it from the truck.

Squaring it up.

Done!

Geshe-la and Nawang Khechog check it out.

Now we have to fill it up!

Here’s a list of things that traditionally fill the throne:

1. Vase made of gold, silver, copper, porcelain
2. Various earth from holy place, rich country, rich people etc.
3. Various water from holy places
4. Various stones
5. Various wood: white/red sandal wood, akaru or aloe wood, calambac, camphor, nutmeg, saffron
6. Various teas
7. Precious things: lapis lazuli, pema raga, sapphire, emerald, gold, silver, coral, pearl, turquoise
8. Various excellent fabrics
9. Various grains: barley, rice, wheat, sesame seed, white pease, honey, crystal sugar, curd, milk, butter
10. Various medicines; precious pills
11. Household stuff, kitchenware utensils, toys
12. Weapons: armor, helmet, sword, etc.
13. Various clothes of both male and female.

What You Can Do

We have most of the above items covered. You can see them in the guest room for the next couple of weeks. However, we still need to buy a few things, so if you want to help it’s best to donate money so that we can buy exactly what we need.

However, as I have been mentioning, this is a wonderful opportunity to create great merit by offering precious stones and metals to the stupa. If you have precious or semi-precious jewelry, gold, silver, diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, amethysts, coral, turquoise, lapis that you would like to offer, please bring it to the Center and give it to Geshe Tenley. If you can’t get there, please let me know and I’ll suggest ways we can get it.

Also, if you have foreign currency (coins or notes), you can offer that, too. That doesn’t mean you should go out and buy it (it would be better to donate that money directly to building the stupa), but if you have some, you can also offer that.

The second stage, the steps, will be installed in 2-3 weeks.

In the Meantime

We’re in the process of creating a visual record of the entire stupa-building process, from the original blessing of the ground by Chöden Rinpoche a couple of years ago to its completion (whenever that will be!). (Thank you Wendy.)

Watch the ceremony with Choden Rinpoche on YouTube.

Watch the cement for the throne being poured into the form on YouTube.

So, many thanks to all who have supported this project so far. And if you have not or if you would like to, please contribute by PayPal or check as usual.

Really, helping build a stupa is a fantastic opportunity to create vast amounts of merit. Don’t miss out!

Much love,

Nick