CONSECRATION OF KHENPO KARTHAR STUPA OF ENLIGHTENMENT  AUGUST 3 – 9

We are happy to announce the consecration of a new stupa honoring Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche ( 1924 – 2019 ). Ceremonies will begin August 3th, 2023, and will be free and open to the public.

• Day 3 (Sat Aug 5): 7 am Sojong at Vajra Vidya Retreat Center, followed by consecration pujas at Tashi Gomang Stupa starting at 10 am. 
• Days 4 – 6 (Sun Aug 6 – Tue Aug 8): 7 am Sojong at Vajra Vidya Retreat Center, followed by consecration pujas at Tashi Gomang Stupa starting at 9 am.
• Day 7 (Wed Aug 9), 7 am Sojong at Vajra Vidya Retreat Center, followed by ceremony completion at Tashi Gomang stupa at 9 am, to finish by mid-day

The lamas will be conducting traditional ceremonies completing the consecration of the new Khenpo Karthar Stupa of Enlightenment. Leading the ceremonies will be Loppon Dorje, one of the senior lamas from Thrangu Monastery in the Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Qinghai in China, the traditional Tibetan cultural region of Kham.

We’d like to invite everyone to the ceremonies, which will take place at the site of the Tashi Gomang Stupa, located 12 miles south of Crestone, Colorado

Everyone is encouraged to come and go at any time during the event. Since we are at a high altitude, it’s strongly advised to wear adequate sunscreen and if possible, bring an umbrella or parasol. Water will be available on site but please bring refillable containers if possible.

With the expected traffic on ceremony days, we would like to encourage everyone coming to the consecration ceremonies to park at specially designated areas by the Cottonwood Creek Trailhead, and then to walk the slowly ascending road to the stupa (while enjoying amazing vistas over the San Luis Valley). We will try to accommodate all unable to make the trip in the small parking area near the site.

And here’s a personal note from the KKR Stupa Project Manager:

Dear Friends,

KTTG , a non-profit organization, is sponsoring the building of a stupa in honor Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche. He took part in every step of the Tashi Gomang Stupa building, including locating the site it now stands on. 

Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche’s  Stupa is called an ‘Enlightenment Stupa’, one of 7 types of traditional stupas.  Further it is called an “Attendant” Stupa. In accord with the work Rinpoche accomplished, it is fitting that his 7-foot Stupa is 50 feet from the Karmapa Stupa.

The 16th Karmapa gave Rinpoche a long list of tasks in 1976.  Rinpoche accomplished them all, some of which were: creating the Seat of the Karmapa and Kagyu lineage in North America; translating some of the highest Tibetan scholars’ writings into English and Chinese, which formed the bulk of his teachings to his international students and are used all over the world to this day.  He also established the traditional 3-year Retreat in Delhi, NY.

I invite you to please donate to this project. For those who have already donated to the building of this noble project, thank you.

You can write a check made out to “KKR Stupa Fund,” c/o Lama Zoe de Bray, PO Box 39, Crestone, CO 81131 OR you can donate online on the website.  I am happy to answer any questions you may have at: [email protected].

Thank you,

Lama Zoe de Bray, KKR Stupa Project Manager