Arya News - Visions of Gelephu Mindfulness City as a global capital of Vajrayana Buddhism are coming to fruition – with its 108 Jangchub Chortens (Stupas of Enlightenment) laying spiritual foundations for its future as an international centre for Buddhist learning and pilgrimage.
THIMPHU – The vision of Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) as a global capital of Vajrayana Buddhism is coming to fruition, with the 108 Jangchub Chortens (Stupas of Enlightenment) laying the spiritual foundations for its future as an international centre for Buddhist learning, religious practice, and pilgrimage.
The raising of 108 stupas along a 12-kilometre stretch of the Mau Chhu River in a record-breaking eight hours and 54 minutes offers an early glimpse of a spiritual landmark where modern development, environmental stewardship and spiritual values coexist.
During the Tsasum Drildrub empowerment in Thimphu, His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, said that Gelephu will become a gathering place for people from across the world. “I think this is something that will bring great glory, happiness, development and prosperity to the land of Bhutan,” he said.
The Gyalwang Karmapa said that many sacred Buddhist sites, including Bodh Gaya in central India, Wutai Shan in China, the Potala in the south, Oddiyana in the west and Shambhala in the north, would all be built in Gelephu.
“Now, all of these can be seen in Gelephu without having to travel to other countries. I think this will be a very important aspect of Bhutan. They are all complete in Bhutan, and this will be a location that is not like any other,” the Gyalwang Karmapa said.
The Gyalwang Karmapa said this was His Majesty’s wish and expressed confidence that it would be fulfilled. “So now that His Majesty’s vision has been completed, I would like to make the aspiration that this does bring great development, happiness and improvement to the land of Bhutan. This is my sincere aspiration,” he said.
For residents and visitors, the 12-kilometre stretch now offers a new setting for pilgrimage. Tens of thousands of devotees began circumambulating the stupas and offering prayers following their completion. Some continued their religious observances late into the night, while many planned to return.
Neten Wangchuk, 76, of Thimphu, aptly described the historic achievement through an old Bhutanese saying: “ Chey ray mepai namlay, namto meypai charp ” – “an unexpected rain from a clear sky.”
“ It is beyond anything I had ever imagined. His Majesty The King works tirelessly for the well-being of the people, and witnessing such an extraordinary achievement is truly inspiring,” said Neten Wangchuk, who plans to return to Gelephu with his family to circumambulate the stupas.
Their stories show how Project 108 has brought a national vision closer to ordinary people, giving them an opportunity to participate in an undertaking rooted in faith, devotion and a shared sense of purpose.
The 108 chortens are just one part of the broader spiritual vision for GMC, which is planned to bring together diverse Himalayan traditions and provide opportunities for Buddhist communities from around the world to engage in learning and spiritual exchange.
The vision materialised just eight months and 11 days after His Majesty The King announced the project in February, earning Guinness World Records recognition for “Most Stupas/Chortens Consecrated Simultaneously (Multiple Venues)” following their completion.
“Under the leadership of a majestic King and a holy master – Poen Ziji-chen chi dha Lam Jinlab-chen chi – what seems impossible becomes possible,” said Dawa Tshering, a monk volunteer involved in installing the sacred relics. “Even an undertaking of this scale was successfully completed because of their guidance.”
The first spiritual project completed in GMC, Ugyen Norlha Lhakhang, which recently underwent enhancements to its surrounding landscape, is already attracting large numbers of local and international visitors.
A sacred land
Project 108 brought together more than 100 prominent Buddhist spiritual leaders and masters from 18 countries, including His Holiness the Je Khenpo, Tulku Jigme Chhoeda, the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, Sakya Gongma Trichen Rinpoche, the Ganden Tripa, senior Bhutanese religious figures and other Buddhist masters.
Landscapes associated with enlightened masters, meditation, religious teachings and consecration rituals are regarded as sacred places, where ordinary geographical locations are believed to hold the power to bless and purify their surroundings.
The Gyalwang Karmapa said hundreds of thousands of Bhutanese people, along with visitors from around the world and Buddhist masters from various countries, had gathered in Gelephu for the world-first event.
“So I think that by doing this, it has created the interdependent conditions for Bhutan to develop and flourish in the future and become a place of great happiness for everyone,” the Gyalwang Karmapa said.
The Gyalwang Karmapa said that raising so many stupas in a single day was a first in world history. “Something that has never happened before has now taken place in Bhutan, and this is a great fortune,” he added.
Bhutan has historically been regarded as a sacred Buddhist land, shaped by the teachings of Guru Padmasambhava, who introduced Vajrayana Buddhism to the country in the eighth century.
At a time when nations are building nuclear weapons to demonstrate their military strength and technological power, and geopolitical uncertainties continue to grow, Bhutan continues to exemplify the strength of community unity, peace and compassion. Project 108 is an example of this shared commitment.
The 108 Stupas Corridor itself is positioned as an emerging sacred landscape, with 22 spiritual projects that have already received Royal Kashos (Royal Edicts) targeted for completion by 2029.
The 108 chortens, each 15 metres high and spaced 108 metres apart, form a chain of sacred structures along the river corridor. The number 108 also holds religious significance in Buddhism.
Stupas symbolise the enlightened mind of the Buddha and provide places for devotion and spiritual practice. Their construction and consecration are considered meritorious acts that benefit the wider community.
GMC is planned as an extension of this philosophy into a new economic and urban model, with proposed sectors spanning green energy, technology, education, healthcare, agriculture, finance, and tourism. Its spiritual dimension is intended to provide an ethical foundation for these activities.
The development is rooted in the Buddhist belief in the close relationship between people, nature and spiritual life. Together, these initiatives aim to create an environment where sacred structures, religious institutions, natural landscapes and communities mutually reinforce one another.
Under this approach, economic growth is intended to improve the wellbeing of individuals and communities while maintaining harmony with the natural environment.