The vision of building 108 Jangchub Chortens in Gelephu moved a step closer to reality today. The Dorji Lopen, Tsugla Lopen and Laytsho Lopen today conducted groundbreaking ceremonies for the 108 Jangchub Chortens project at three separate locations in Gelephu.
The Dorji Lopen of the Central Monastic body conducted the Salang Tendrel, or the groundbreaking ceremony for the 108th Chorten above the Zombabi Elephant Enrichment Area.
At the same time, the Tsugla Lopen led the groundbreaking ceremony for the 92nd Chorten together with monks and lams from Tsirang Rabdey, while the Laytsho Lopen presided over the ceremony for the first chorten that will rise near Serzhong Bridge.
For many, today’s ceremonies marked more than the start of construction. They represented the spiritual claiming of the land and the seeking of blessings before work begins.
“The reason for conducting Salang Tendrel is to seek blessings of local deities and claim ownership of the land to ensure that the 108 Jangchub Chorten project progresses safely, without disasters and lasting prosperity,” said Khenpo Tashi Tshering, .
Initiated by His Majesty The King, all 108 chortens are scheduled to be raised simultaneously on November 1 this year. Each structure will stand 15 metres tall and be placed 108 metres apart in a single line stretching along the Mao River.
Project officials say preparations are progressing steadily, with strong support from people across the country and beyond.
“As of today, we have received sponsorships for over 80 chortens. This does not include contributions made by individuals in various other forms. The installation of the zung will be managed by the Zhung Dratshang. We have also registered more than 30,000 volunteers who are willing to take part in the construction of the 108 chortens. The selection and training of volunteers will be communicated in due course as the project progresses,” said Dasho Tashi Dorji, Lead Spiritual Workstream of the GMCA.
The project’s spiritual preparations are also gaining momentum elsewhere. At the historic Sarpang Dzong, monks today began the painstaking process of preparing the sacred zung that will eventually be installed inside each of the 108 chortens. The consecrated contents, prepared according to centuries-old Buddhist traditions, are considered the spiritual heart of every chorten and are being coordinated by the Zhung Dratshang.
For now, the sites remain quiet stretches of land along the Mao River.
But in the months ahead, they will transform into a chain of sacred monuments, creating a spiritual corridor that is expected to become one of the defining features of the Gelephu Mindfulness City.
Passang Dorji/Karma Wangdi, Gelephu
