Eight new spiritual projects under the Gelephu Mindfulness City were officially approved by His Majesty the King today. With this, the total number of approved sacred sites now stands at 22. The Royal Kashos, sacred Royal Edicts, were officially presented at a ceremony held at Simtokha Dzong in Thimphu.
The projects include Dewachen Spiritual Centre, led by the Tsugla Lopen of the Central Monastic Body, Druk Yoga and Mindfulness Centre, led by Gyalwa Dokhampa, and Jampal Gyepai Dangden, led by the Karma Leksheyling Foundation.
Other projects include Kathok Zhithro Kilkhor led by Kathok Situ Rinpoche, Menjong (Healing Garden) with Medicinal Buddha, led by Neyphug Trulku, Peling Dzogchen Lingka led by Sungtrul Rinpoche, Tendrel Nyensel Healing Centre led by Chung Tulku and the Varahi Mandala led by Khandro Dorji Phagmo. The Varahi Mandala marks the first project led by a female spiritual leader in GMC.
These eight projects will feature a 200-foot stupa, a three-dimensional mandala of the bardo experience, and a sacred campus based on Amitabha’s Pure Land.
They also include healing gardens, a healing centre, retreat spaces, a yoga and mindfulness centre, and a centre for mindfulness and contemplative leadership.
Drawing from multiple Buddhist lineages, they form the sacred foundation of GMC as a Buddhist city.
The projects draw from different Buddhist traditions, including ancient Himalayan schools, Bhutan’s Central Monastic Body, and internationally known teachers.
His Majesty declared GMC a Buddhist city with the intention of making it a home for every major Buddhist tradition. These projects reflect that commitment and contribute to a broader vision where monasteries, institutions, and research centres coexist with sectors such as green energy, health and wellness, agritech, and financial services.
Sonam Yuden
