In 2009, the State Government of Sikkim acquired private land on right side of Khachoed Pema Woeling Tsungon for the purpose of creating a tourist attraction point there. Concerned that this would disturb the monastic environment, Rinpoche proposed that the Government build a Stupa there. After several years of persistent effort and with Department of Tourism’s support, a project for building a Stupa was approved under the Swadesh Darshan Yojana of the Central Government. The Department of Tourism executed the project, fully completing the construction in December 2019.

A Stupa is a symbol of the Buddha. Its basic shape with a mound represents the form of Buddha seated in meditation. The square base represents the Buddha’s leg as he sat in meditation; the middle section called the ‘mound’ represents Buddha’s body and the conical spire his head.

Aside from physical construction, the ‘raising’ of a Stupa entails an extensive ritual process from the consecration of the ground to placement of the ‘umbrella’ (duk) at the top of the Stupa. This elaborate process was undertaken by the nuns under the guidance of Lama Dhamtsik, a highly experienced Stupa builder from Nepal and Khenpo Tenzing Lhendup.

The very first step in this sacred process is consecration of the ground. This was done with Rinpoche showering blessings from his room while on the ground ritual was conducted by Khenpola and nuns.

A second important step in the consecration process is during the laying of Stupa foundation. It entails conduct of prayers and blessings when the posts are being raised and ritual for suppression of negative forces under the ground of the Stupa.

Once the construction of the base and body of the stupa is completed, a ‘sok-shing’ representing energy channel is placed within the main body of the Stupa. This required the felling of a pine tree in east direction with a young boy (with appropriate astrological sign) making the first strike to fell the tree. A forty-five feet long one piece beam sized appropriately was sawed from the tree. The beam was then dried, cleaned, inscribed with mantra, and wrapped in brocade before being placed within the main body of the Stupa.

The next phase in the consecration process is the offering of the ‘Zung’ which comprise holy relics and special statues representing Buddha’s mind, scriptures and mantras representing Buddha’s speech and 100,000 small 4” Buddha statues as well as large vases of grain, butter etc. in the base representing Buddha’s body.

On the auspicious day of December 28th2020, after completion of the Stupa including painting of the frescoes in the meditation hall, the Stupa was inaugurated by H.E. Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche. Rinpoche named the Stupa Yeshe Dorje Stupa after H.H. third Dudjom Rinpoche and bestowed ‘Tsa Sum’ wang of Lama, Yidam and Khandro over 2 days – 28 and 29 December 2020.

Government officials, local sponsors and people from the Gangtok and Ranka participated in this joyful occasion. As requested by the