Peace is always at hand. When you touch it, you can share it.

World Peace Stupa Project

What is a stupa?

A stupa is an ancient symbol of peace and enlightenment. It serves as a beacon of hope, reminding us of our shared inner potential for peace and fullfilment. The Buddha himself ordered stupas to be built, as a manifestation of compassion and the path to enlightenment. All elements of a stupa, from the foundation to the spire, represent the steps along this path. Stupas are built in many different sizes: from miniature up to 56 m high.

Harmonising power

Stupas are believed to hold great healing and harmonising power. This is why they are often built in times of conflict or natural disaster. In today’s world being in crisis, a stupa can offer a calming and positive counterforce to division and environmental imbalance.

We are dependent on nature and nature, indeed, the whole universe, is dependent on us. The world will be balanced when we are balanced.

World Peace Stupa Project

Tibetan Lama Tarthang Tulku recently launched the World Peace Prayerwheel Stupa Project across four continents. The World Peace Stupa for Europe will be located in Winterswijk on the border between the Netherlands and Germany. Two other World Peace Stupas will be built in South-America and Japan. In the Middle East an Interfaith Peace Prayerwheel will be constructed. Each of these monuments is designed to inspire peace. The project began with a miniature model containing a prayer wheel powered by solar energy.

Stupa in Winterswijk

It will take at least a year to secure building permission and raise the necessary funds for the World Peace Stupa in Winterswijk. Therefore, a small Peace Stupa kindly offered by Nyingma Zentrum Deutschland will be placed on the site right from the start. Meanwhile, preparations are underway for the larger World Peace stupa, which will include a meditation room for 15-20 people. Once permission is granted and funding is secured, this larger stupa will be built and open for daily gatherings, welcoming all.

Stupa Team Europe

Construction of the Winterswijk Stupa is being prepared by Steve Shumway, Thomas Rogowski and Alois Gehrmeyer. They are long time students of Tarhang Tulku Rinpoche and experienced builders. Negotiations are underway to build the stupa from very sustainable Holz-100 wood, as fabricated by the Austrian entrepreneur Erwin Thoma.

Construction of the World Peace Stupa

We hope to start construction as soon as possible. A careful plan drawn up by the stupa-team will include the invitation of many volunteers to help assist in the actual building of the stupa and contructing the surrounding circumambulation paths and meditation garden. Tremendous merit is said to be connected to building a stupa.

Stupa team

Thomas Rogovski

Humanity needs to be reminded of the positive forces in nature and the full potential we all have. A Stupa is a beacon radiating this energy of goodness into the world. It provides a haven for those who wish to come into its presence and rekindle their connection with life.

Alois Gehrmeyer

If I have no place to pray and meditate, then my spirit has no voice. There are almost only technical and mechanical skills left. A stupa center is a wonderful place for me to give my spirit a voice.

Steve Shumway

A Stupa is a symbolic monument representing all aspects of the Buddha’s Enlightened Mind. The entire Path, leading to Enlightenment, is symbolised in each aspect of a Stupa. When one is connected to a Stupa, in any way, like building one, cleaning around one, circumambulating or meditating there, one can experience harmonious peace, inspiration, or connection to inner peace as if one is in the presence of Buddha Mind itself. When all the elements of a Stupa are together there is Harmony, Energy, Blessing.

Erwin Thoma in
Strategies of Nature. How the wisdom of trees strengthens our lives:

"Wood is never dead material. Rather, all the wisdom of nature lives in wood." "As soon as we understand the promotion of life, the connection of all beings with their fellow world in its true value, many things will change for the better again."