The Enlightenment Stupa of Benalmádena - Facts

The monument was erected on a panoramic platform overlooking Costa del Sol with the blessing of Lopon Tsechu Rinpoche and with the help of the architect Wojtek Kossowski, who participated in the construction of 18 other Stupas guided spiritualy by the Master.

16 of these Stupas were built in Spain, Germany, Austria, Russia, Switzerland and Poland in the last eleven years of Rinpoche’s life. After his passing away and following his wish, the projects of three more Stupas were accomplished in Denmark, Mexico and Greece.

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 hall inside. From the ceiling of the meditation hall up to its top, the Stupa is completely filled with sacred objects. Its treasure chambers, which are sealed forever, contain among others:

• 6000 Buddha-reliefs made out of clay by two western disciples of Rinpoche, representing six different Buddhist aspects:
  • The Historical Buddha Shakyamuni.
  • 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 Shakyamuni - Kanjur (108 volumes) and the complete explanations of the teachings - Tenjur
• the Tree of Life - a 17 meter long, especially for that purpose 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 powerful Buddhist places from the Himalayas
• The most precious relict is a Buddha Kashyapa Relict - the previous Buddha before Buddha Shakyamuni’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 Shakyamuni and have been elaborated by Nepalese artists in the traditional religious style of the Himalayas.

An additional space for exhibitions related to Tibetan Buddhism, the Himalayan culture and Stupas around the world, has been adapted underneath the meditation hall.