The Stupa in general

What are Stupas?
Why do we build them?
What do they the signify?
Where do they come from?

A 3-dimensional model of enlightenment
'It is through the language of archetypal symbols that we reconnect ourselves with the primordial ground from which all human culture has sprung... Among the oldest of architectural forms, the Stupa is a universal symbol of enlightened mind, a familiar sight in all countries where Buddhism has flourished. In the Stupa we find the ancient reliquary monuments once built for kings and heroes transformed into profound expressions of knowledge. Rightly interpreted and understood by both reason and intuition, it mirrors the harmony and perfection of universal principles and invites the human mind to awaken its full capabilities...'.

This quotation from Lama Govinda gives us a taste of why Stupas were built and what they signify now and in former times. They are the most fascinating structures on the planet. Their development mirrors that of our cultures, and their transformation stands as a witness to the changes in our philosophical concepts.

Nobody has yet answered the question regarding the earliest origin of Stupas. There are various theories: that the origin of the Stupa was as a stake placed in the ground around which a tethered animal would walk in circles; or as a hill inside which a jar containing the ashes of a dead hero was placed. In their early history, Stupas were used as reliquaries or as graves - similar to the pyramids of Egypt. At the time of Sidhartha Gautama (VI - V century B.C.) the meaning of the Stupa evolved greatly. Symbolic aspects developed so strongly that they changed completely the meaning of the Stupa as a grave or reliquary. Stupas became a multi-purpose symbol, a real treasure of knowledge about phenomena, the universe, the nature of our mind and the way leading to the state of full development or enlightenment. Through its form, and through the 'jewels' which are placed inside of it, a Stupa works with us on many different conscious and subconscious levels. Stupas are energy generators and transformers. They take energy from nature and focus and redistribute it. It is believed that Stupas have great protective power. Being filled with positive energy, they pacify and transform sources of negative power.

One of our goals as developed humans is to protect those who need protection. By helping to build a Stupa we can add our 'brick' in a joint effort towards the realization of this goal. As purely symbolic structures - Stupas are not temples or ordinary buildings - they invite us to think and meditate about their message. In this way, they are animators of our development in varied fields of endeavor, such as religion, philosophy, history, geography, archeology and mind itself. Once built, they rest on their stone foundation, unchangeable and free from the influence of social and political events and turbulence. Because of these profound effects, Stupas are the most useful buildings we can construct.

Swayambhu Stupa in Kathmandu, Nepal.

The Enlightenment Stupa in Benalmádena

Welcome to the Enlightenment Stupa - a Buddhist monument for peace, prosperity, harmony of the world and a place for meditation. It has been inaugurated on October the 5th 2003 due to the wishes of the great Buddhist Master from the Himalayas, Lopön Tsechu Rinpoche.

The inaugurative ceremonies have been directed by H.H. Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche with the presence of Buthan's Minister Lömpo Sangye Ngodup, Lama Ole Nydahl and the Mayor of the Benalmádena city, Enrique Bolin.

According to the buddhist teachings there are 8 different types of Tibetan Stupas. Each of them represents an important event in Buddha Sakyamuni's life story. The Enlightenment Stupa (or Chian Chiub Chorten in Tibetan) symbolizes the achievement of Buddha's enlightenment, the nature of a fully awakened mind.

Each of the 8 different Stupa types is built according to very precise instructions where the exact design and proportions have to be strictly followed.

The outer structure has a deep significance at many levels and its inner containers (treasure chambers) are filled with symbolical objects. The Stupa has consequently been charged up by powerful ceremonies performed by Lamas.

Stupas are normally closed monoliths, which believers circumbulate and express their wishes as being in front of Buddha himself. To absorb its beneficial influence into our lives it is recommmended to walk around the Stupa in a clock wise direction. Buddhists believe that wishes done near a Stupa may become true.

The Enlightenment Stupa in Benalmádena is one of the few exceptions in the world by having incorporated a meditation hall in its inner structure. This was possible due to the dimensions of the monument - it is until the present moment the largest Stupa in the West.

Some facts about the Stupa in Benalmádena

The monument has been erected on a panoramic platform overlooking the Costa del Sol with the help of architect Wojtek Kossowski, who participated in the construction of 16 other Stupas directed by Lopön Tsechu Rinpoche in Germany, Austria, Poland, Denmark, Russia, Switzerland and Spain in the last ten years.

It is 33 meters (108 feet) tall with a base width of 25.8 meters (82 feet) and contains an over 100 square meter (1100 square-foot) meditation room inside.

From the ceiling of the meditation hall up to the top of the gold-plated umbrella the Stupa is completely filled with sacred objects. Its containers (treasure chambers), which are sealed forever contain among others:

• 6000 Buddha-Reliefs made out of clay by two western students of Rinpoche, representing six different buddhist aspects:
  • The historical Buddha Sakyamuni
  • Thousand Arm Chenresig - The Thousand Arm Buddha of Loving Eyes
  • Sangye Mitukpa
  • Sangye Menla - The Medicine Buddha
  • Buddha Amytayus - The Long-Life Buddha
  • Dorje Sempa - The Diamond Mind Buddha
• half a ton of buddhist prayers printed on cotton paper
• the complete teachings of Buddha Sakyamuni - Kanjur (108 volumes) and the complete explanations of the teachings - Tenjur
   

• the Tree of Life - a 17 meter long, especially elaborated tree placed vertically in the center of the Stupa, representing the Buddha's spine, when interpreting the Stupa as Buddha's body, or representing the Axis Mundi, when interpreting the Stupa as the whole universe
• innumerable sacred objects and relicts brought from the Himalayas from the most holy buddhist places
• The most precious relict is a Buddha Kashyapa Relict - the previous Buddha before Buddha Sakyamuni's times
• A small Tsa Tsa (clay relief) personally done by the most famous tibetan Yogi of all times, Milarepa (11th century)

The paintings on the walls of the meditation hall represent the life story of the historical Buddha Sakyamuni and have been elaborated during 6 months by artists from Nepal.

In the basement of the Stupa there is place for exhibitions related to Tibetan Buddhism and the Himalayan culture.