Blessings and consecration of Garchen Tara Stupa with Khenpo Samdup Rinpoche

Jan 20

IKAL has the privilege of being chosen as the place to build a Tara Stupa. Not only because of its location in the heart of Tulum, surrounded by the Mayan jungle but also for its spirit of community and safeguarding ancient tradition.

What is a Tara Stupa?

A Stupa is a sacred object that represents the body, speech, and mind of enlightened beings, and Tara is the deity that embodies love and compassion. A Stupa is a place to connect with our true nature and inherent spirituality and, therefore, to connect with all spiritual and enlightened beings.

Garchen Tara Stupa is a source of blessings, not only because it represents the enlightened mind of the Buddha but because it contains relics and objects that irradiate and enhance all practitioners’ achievements. It represents our spiritual path as sentient beings and Dharma practitioners.

The first Tara Stupa is in Arizona at the Garchen Buddhist Institute. It is a shrine designed and created by His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche. It has an octagonal form, a central pillar filled with sacred relics, and an outside walkway perfect for walking meditation and circumambulation.

To circumambulate the stupa means to walk in circles around it. It is a compelling spiritual practice which symbolizes taking refuge in the Three Jewels: The Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. It is recommended for anyone who has problems in life, those in need of purification, those who need to create causes of success, and those in sickness, as well as a way to benefit animals.

The Garchen Tara Stupa in IKAL is the second in the world, and others to come. It is a place to practice love and compassion at all levels. It will bring blessings and many benefits to the Mayan jungle through meditation and different practices.

Garchen Tara Stupa's experiences in February and March 2023 at IKAL

**Creation of tsa tsas and mantra rolls**

**February 1st to 3rd**
Khenpo Samdup Rinpoche will join the IKAL community to create tsa tsas, small votive sculptures with a devotional intention, and mantra rolls.
Making this for a stupa is a merit-accumulating action. It is an important practice in Vajrayana Buddhism.

**Consecration of the Stupa**

**March 6th to 12th**
A big celebration where we will consecrate the stupa. Khenpo Samdup Rinpoche, other Lamas, visitors, and the IKAL community will join for a week to consecrate this beautiful place. There will be prayers, practices, music, and a lot of joy in such an auspicious celebration.

How to contribute to Garchen Tara Stupa?

Everyone has the opportunity to contribute in many ways to the Tara Stupa. You can join us for the Garchen Tara Stupa experiences in February and March at IKAL.

Another way is donating to the Stupa that will stand here at IKAL. Being a donor to the Stupa makes you part of the Tara Mandala, a field of love, energy, and compassion that brings a level of consciousness to ourselves and the world's needs.

DONATE HERE

STAY AT IKAL during Khenpo Samdup Rinpoche’s visit to the blessings and consecration of Garchen Tara Stupa.