[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ specialty=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ specialty_columns=”3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row_inner _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_free_form=”img.inline-zoom {|| transition: transform 0.3s ease;|| display: inline-block;|| vertical-align: middle;|| max-width: 100%;||}||||img.inline-zoom:hover {|| transform: scale(2);|| z-index: 10;||}” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
In March 1984, Kundreul Ling Monastery hosted its first traditional three-year retreat.<\/a> Among the retreatants was Nicolas H., then a cook, who expressed his wish to Lama Gendun Rinpoche from the very start: to build a stupa on the site. \u201cIt would be nice if we could build a stupa<\/a> at Kundreul Ling, because there are only five flags planted at the entrance,\u201d he recalls. For him, this place was more than just a retreat center. Even the 16th Karmapa had stayed there, and its unique character needed to be marked by a monument steeped in Buddhist tradition.<\/p>\n At the same time, Thierry C., the administrator of the site, concerned about the state of the finances, went to Lama Gendun Rinpoche and explained the delicate financial situation<\/strong>, \u201cWhat should we do, Rinpoche, we\u2019ve already spent almost all the money set aside for coming month ?\u201d He replied, \u201cTake the little money that\u2019s left and build a stupa with it.\u201d We were greatly surprised: instead of showing us how to find money, he showed us how to spend more. He explained, \u201cWhen you\u2019re short of money, the cause is that you haven\u2019t been generous enough. (1)\u201d So we began to build the stupa.<\/p>\n Gendun Rinpoche designated a specific location at the north of the site,<\/strong> explaining that this area, considered unfavorable, would be harmonized by the presence of the stupa. At that time, there were only three stupas in Europe: one in Plaige, another under construction at Karma Mingyur Ling (in Montchardon), and the stupa of enlightenment in Kamalashila, Germany, built by Tenga Rinpoche.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_free_form=”img.inline-zoom {|| transition: transform 0.3s ease;|| display: inline-block;|| vertical-align: middle;|| max-width: 100%;||}||||img.inline-zoom:hover {|| transform: scale(2);|| z-index: 10;||}” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n Finding the Plans and Adapting the Standards<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cWe started from scratch,\u201d says Nicolas. He found a book by the painter Gega Lama, which presented the eight types of stupas<\/a> with their canonical proportions.<\/strong> He drew up the plans for the stupa of enlightenment, constrained by regulatory requirements: a maximum height of 7 meters and a volume of less than 40 cubic meters. The Kundreul Ling stupa measures 6.66 meters.<\/p>\n Without the internet, information had to be gathered from books, the telephone, and a few key contacts. Nicolas traveled to Montchardon to seek advice from Lama Teunzang and his assistant Fr\u00e9d\u00e9rique C. Lama Gendun and Lama Thubten of the KTT center in Laghet provided all the information needed for the contents of the stupa.<\/p>\n The stupa, ch\u00f6rten<\/em> in Tibetan (\u0f58\u0f46\u0f7c\u0f51\u0f0b\u0f62\u0f9f\u0f7a\u0f53\u0f0d), is a vessel for accumulating merit.<\/strong><\/p>\n During their rare moments of rest, all the retreatants, both men and women, were asked to make tsa-tsas<\/em><\/strong> in order to place these figurines representing the Buddha inside the stupa. The following were made:<\/p>\n Inside these tsa-tsas, dharanis<\/em> (or zung<\/em> in Tibetan) were also placed.<\/p>\n The soshing<\/em><\/strong><\/a>, the central pole or tree of life, containing sacred substances, was crafted from a fir tree chosen by Lama Gendun Rinpoche, respecting its original orientation and carved into four sides symbolizing the cardinal directions.<\/p>\n A Collective Worksite<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n With the exception of the foundation work, which was entrusted to a craftsman, everything was done on site: formwork, reinforcement, concrete. The three main workers\u2014Nicolas H., Jean-Luc B., and Thierry C.\u2014worked together, some sourcing materials and Nicolas designing.<\/p>\n Thierry recalls: \u201cGradually, word of the project spread and donations began to pour in.\u201d A simple brochure<\/a> was produced to continue collecting donations. The overall financial situation of the site began to improve.<\/p>\n Ritual stages<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Each phase<\/strong> of construction was punctuated by the consecrations and rituals necessary for the stupa to be an effective support:<\/p>\n In the bumpa<\/strong><\/a>, the vase at the top of the stupa, a mandala of Dorje Sempa and dharanis were installed with statues and vases symbolizing the directions and associated Buddhas.<\/p>\n Climatic Conditions and Finishing Touches<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n The previous winter in Auvergne had been particularly harsh, but the workers completed the project within the time frame they had set for themselves.<\/p>\n The mold for the spire, representing the ten bhumis<\/em>, was made by Bernard D. and was also used for the stupa at Dhagpo Kagyu Ling in Dordogne. Shedrup did the exterior finishing, while Claude N. made the metal umbrella surmounted by the moon and sun, and a professional company gold-plated of the piece. The niche was decorated by G\u00e9rard M.<\/p>\n The Final Consecration<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n In early September 1986<\/strong>, after several months of joint efforts, Lama Gendun Rinpoche led the consecration<\/strong> of the stupa in the presence of Lama Thubten, Lama Purtsela, and the main participants in the project.<\/p>\n On September 16, 1986, K\u00fcnzig Shamarpa sealed the consecration<\/strong> of the stupa with the blessing of the lineage that he holds, making this stupa a suitable support for practice at Kundreul Ling. Thierry C. remembers that few people were present since the retreatants were… in retreat. Thus, Nicolas H., Jean-Luc B., Thierry C., and a few people from Dhagpo were gathered. Shamarpa consecrated the stupa and then gave a blessing to the three people who had worked on its construction, explaining that building a stupa in one’s lifetime secures one’s future lives.<\/p>\n Building a support for practice that will stand the test of time and be used by thousands of people with a benevolent intention contributes to \u201cincreasing everything that is beneficial in the world,\u201d as Lama Gendun Rinpoche said, and this regardless of the size of the stupa!<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”nextgen ” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” border_width_bottom=”1px” border_color_bottom=”#b87d06″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]ngg_shortcode_0_placeholder[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|on|off” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Roboto||||||||” text_font_size=”13px” text_line_height=”1em” custom_padding=”||0px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n These photos come from our archives or were collected as part of the research for Dhagpo Kagyu Ling\u2019s 50th anniversary. We have not been able to identify all the authors. The use of these photos is solely for informational purposes within the context of Dhagpo Kagyu Ling\u2019s 50th anniversary celebration. Their use is limited to this event and our website and is not for commercial purposes.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/dhagpo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Livret-Fundraising-mars-1986.jpg” alt=”Premiere sortie de retraite 1987″ title_text=”Livret Fundraising mars 1986″ url=”https:\/\/dhagpo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/FUNDRAISING.pdf” url_new_window=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#f7f7f3″ custom_margin=”5px|5px|5px|5px|false|false” custom_padding=”5px|5px|5px|5px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/dhagpo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/mars-1986_image-Stupa-de-l_eveil-livre-peintre-Gega-Lama_KTL_Nhenry.jpg” alt=”Premiere sortie de retraite 1987″ title_text=”mars 1986_image Stupa de l_\u00e9veil livre peintre G\u00e9ga Lama_KTL_Nhenry” url=”https:\/\/dhagpo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/mars-1986_image-Stupa-de-l_eveil-livre-peintre-Gega-Lama_KTL_Nhenry.jpg” url_new_window=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#f7f7f3″ custom_margin=”5px|5px|5px|5px|false|false” custom_padding=”5px|5px|5px|5px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/dhagpo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/mars-1986_Plan-Stupa-de-l_eveil_KTL_Nhenry.jpg” alt=”Premiere sortie de retraite 1987″ title_text=”mars 1986_Plan Stupa de l_\u00e9veil_KTL_Nhenry” url=”https:\/\/dhagpo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/mars-1986_Plan-Stupa-de-l_eveil_KTL_Nhenry.jpg” url_new_window=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#f7f7f3″ custom_margin=”5px|5px|5px|5px|false|false” custom_padding=”5px|5px|5px|5px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/dhagpo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/mars-1986_Plan-2-Stupa-de-l_eveil-_KTL_Nhenry.jpg” alt=”Premiere sortie de retraite 1987″ title_text=”mars 1986_Plan 2 Stupa de l_\u00e9veil _KTL_Nhenry” url=”https:\/\/dhagpo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/mars-1986_Plan-2-Stupa-de-l_eveil-_KTL_Nhenry.jpg” url_new_window=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#f7f7f3″ custom_margin=”5px|5px|5px|5px|false|false” custom_padding=”5px|5px|5px|5px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text disabled_on=”off|off|on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Roboto||||||||” text_font_size=”13px” text_line_height=”1em” custom_padding=”||0px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n These photos come from our archives or were collected as part of the research for Dhagpo Kagyu Ling\u2019s 50th anniversary. We have not been able to identify all the authors. The use of these photos is solely for informational purposes within the context of Dhagpo Kagyu Ling\u2019s 50th anniversary celebration. Their use is limited to this event and our website and is not for commercial purposes.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In March 1984, Kundreul Ling Monastery hosted its first traditional three-year retreat. Among the retreatants was Nicolas H., then a cook, who expressed his wish to Lama Gendun Rinpoche from […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":" [et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" specialty=\"on\" _builder_version=\"4.27.3\" _module_preset=\"default\" custom_padding=\"||0px|||\" global_colors_info=\"{}\" theme_builder_area=\"post_content\"][et_pb_column type=\"3_4\" specialty_columns=\"3\" _builder_version=\"4.16\" custom_padding=\"|||\" global_colors_info=\"{}\" custom_padding__hover=\"|||\" theme_builder_area=\"post_content\"][et_pb_row_inner _builder_version=\"4.27.3\" _module_preset=\"default\" custom_padding=\"||0px|||\" global_colors_info=\"{}\" theme_builder_area=\"post_content\"][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=\"3_4\" _builder_version=\"4.27.3\" _module_preset=\"default\" global_colors_info=\"{}\" theme_builder_area=\"post_content\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.27.4\" _module_preset=\"default\" custom_css_free_form=\"img.inline-zoom {|| transition: transform 0.3s ease;|| display: inline-block;|| vertical-align: middle;|| max-width: 100%;||}||||img.inline-zoom:hover {|| transform: scale(2);|| z-index: 10;||}\" global_colors_info=\"{}\" theme_builder_area=\"post_content\"]<\/p> En mars 1984, le monast\u00e8re de Kundreul Ling accueillait la premi\u00e8re retraite<\/a>. Parmi les retraitants se trouvait Nicolas H., alors cuisinier. D\u00e8s cette premi\u00e8re ann\u00e9e, il formula aupr\u00e8s de lama Guendune Rinpoch\u00e9 le souhait suivant : construire un stoupa<\/a> sur le site. \u00ab \u00c7a serait bien, dit-il, que nous puissions construire un stoupa \u00e0 Kundreul Ling, car il n\u2019y a que cinq drapeaux plant\u00e9s \u00e0 l\u2019entr\u00e9e du lieu \u00bb. Pour lui, cet endroit \u00e9tait plus qu\u2019un simple centre de retraite : en effet le XVI\u1d49 Karmapa lui-m\u00eame y avait s\u00e9journ\u00e9. Et il fallait marquer ce caract\u00e8re unique par un monument puissant de la tradition bouddhiste.<\/p> Au m\u00eame moment, Thierry C., administrateur du lieu, inquiet de l\u2019\u00e9tat des finances, se rend aupr\u00e8s de lama Guendune Rinpoch\u00e9 et lui explique la situation financi\u00e8re d\u00e9licate : \u00ab Que devons-nous faire, Rinpoch\u00e9 ? Nous avons d\u00e9j\u00e0 d\u00e9pens\u00e9 presque tout l\u2019argent que nous avions mis de c\u00f4t\u00e9 pour l\u2019ann\u00e9e prochaine. \u00bb Guendune Rinpoch\u00e9 r\u00e9pond alors : \u00ab Prenez le peu qu\u2019il reste et construisez un stoupa. \u00bb Thierry se souvient : \u00ab Nous \u00e9tions grandement surpris : au lieu de nous montrer comment trouver de l\u2019argent, il nous a montr\u00e9 comment en d\u00e9penser davantage ! Il a expliqu\u00e9 : \u201cSi vous manquez d\u2019argent, c\u2019est que vous n\u2019avez pas \u00e9t\u00e9 assez g\u00e9n\u00e9reux.\u201d Nous avons donc commenc\u00e9 \u00e0 construire le stoupa. \u00bb<\/p> Lama Guendune Rinpoch\u00e9 d\u00e9signa un emplacement pr\u00e9cis au nord du site<\/strong>, expliquant que cette zone, consid\u00e9r\u00e9e comme d\u00e9favorable, serait ainsi harmonis\u00e9e par la pr\u00e9sence du stoupa.<\/p> \u00c0 cette \u00e9poque, l\u2019Europe ne comptait que trois stoupas<\/strong> : l\u2019un \u00e0 Plaige, un autre en construction \u00e0 Karma Mingyur Ling (Montchardon), et le stoupa de l\u2019\u00e9veil \u00e9difi\u00e9 par Tenga Rinpoch\u00e9 \u00e0 Kamalashila, en Allemagne.<\/p> [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.27.4\" _module_preset=\"default\" custom_css_free_form=\"img.inline-zoom {|| transition: transform 0.3s ease;|| display: inline-block;|| vertical-align: middle;|| max-width: 100%;||}||||img.inline-zoom:hover {|| transform: scale(2);|| z-index: 10;||}\" global_colors_info=\"{}\" theme_builder_area=\"post_content\"]<\/p> Trouver les plans et adapter les normes<\/span><\/strong><\/p> \u00ab Nous partions de rien \u00bb, raconte Nicolas. C\u2019est dans un ouvrage du peintre Gega Lama pr\u00e9sentant les huit types de stoupas<\/a> qu\u2019il trouva les dessins avec les proportions canoniques<\/strong>. Il r\u00e9alisa les plans du stoupa de l\u2019\u00e9veil en respectant \u00e9galement les obligations r\u00e9glementaires : une hauteur maximale de 7 m\u00e8tres et un volume inf\u00e9rieur \u00e0 40 m\u00b3. Le stoupa de Kundreul Ling mesure ainsi pr\u00e9cis\u00e9ment 6,66 m\u00e8tres.<\/p> Sans Internet, la recherche d\u2019informations passait alors par les livres, le t\u00e9l\u00e9phone (fixe) et quelques contacts cl\u00e9s. Nicolas se rendit \u00e0 Montchardon pour recueillir des conseils aupr\u00e8s de lama Teunzang et de Fr\u00e9d\u00e9ric C. son assistant. Lama Guendune et lama Thubten du KTT de Laghet donn\u00e8rent toutes les indications relatives au contenu du stoupa.<\/p> Le stoupa ou ch\u00f6rten, (en tib\u00e9tain \u0f58\u0f46\u0f7c\u0f51\u0f0b\u0f62\u0f9f\u0f7a\u0f53\u0f0d), est un support d\u2019accumulation de m\u00e9rite.<\/strong><\/p> Tous les retraitants, hommes et femmes, pendant leurs rares moments de pause, furent amen\u00e9s \u00e0 fabriquer des tsa-tsas<\/em><\/strong> afin de d\u00e9poser ces figurines repr\u00e9sentant le Bouddha \u00e0 l\u2019int\u00e9rieur du stoupa. Ainsi furent r\u00e9alis\u00e9s :<\/p> \u00c0 l\u2019int\u00e9rieur de ces tsa-tsas<\/em>, furent \u00e9galement d\u00e9pos\u00e9es des dharanis<\/em> (ou zung<\/em> en tib\u00e9tain). Un chantier collectif<\/span><\/strong><\/p> \u00c0 l\u2019exception du creusement des fondations confi\u00e9 \u00e0 un artisan, tout fut r\u00e9alis\u00e9 sur place : coffrages, ferraillage et b\u00e9ton. Les trois principaux ouvriers, Nicolas H., Jean-Luc B. et Thierry C., travaill\u00e8rent ensemble, ces deux derniers pour les approvisionnements de mat\u00e9riaux et Nicolas pour la conception.<\/p> Thierry se souvient : \u00ab Progressivement, le projet s\u2019est fait conna\u00eetre et les dons ont commenc\u00e9 \u00e0 affluer. \u00bb Un fascicule<\/a> simple fut confectionn\u00e9 pour continuer \u00e0 recueillir des dons. La situation financi\u00e8re g\u00e9n\u00e9rale commen\u00e7a \u00e0 s\u2019am\u00e9liorer.<\/p> Des \u00e9tapes rituelles<\/span><\/strong><\/p> Chaque phase<\/strong> de construction fut ponctu\u00e9e par les cons\u00e9crations et les rituels n\u00e9cessaires pour que le stoupa soit un support efficient :<\/p>\n
\n
(1) Gendun Rinpoche. Heart Advice from a Mahamudra Master. Norbu Editions, 2010. p. 261.<\/h5>\n
\u00c0 partir d\u2019un sapin choisi par lama Guendune Rinpoch\u00e9, le soshing<\/em><\/a>, m\u00e2t central ou arbre de vie renfermant des substances sacr\u00e9es, fut fa\u00e7onn\u00e9 en respectant son orientation d\u2019origine et taill\u00e9 en quatre faces symbolisant les directions cardinales.<\/p>