Thousands of volunteers and Buddhist masters from around the world gathered in Gelephu, Bhutan, to construct 108 stupas in a single day. The newly erected sacred structures, each standing about 50 feet tall, represent Buddha's enlightenment and anchor the developing Gelephu Mindfulness City.
The project, known as Project 108, aims to install the stupas in a single file along the Mao Chhu river, creating a "procession" of monuments. The number 108 holds significant meaning in Buddhism. While the external structures were completed in about 12 hours by approximately 40,000 volunteers, preparations for the event had been underway for months.
Gelephu Mindfulness City is envisioned as a vibrant economic hub that prioritizes ecological sustainability and citizen well-being over commercial profit. Conceived by Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and designed by Danish architects, the city is intended to address economic challenges faced by Bhutan, including unemployment and migration of skilled workers. The project is seen as a way to boost the economy and create opportunities that encourage young people to remain in the country.
In Buddhist tradition, building a stupa is considered a meritorious act, offering spiritual benefits to those who construct it and to all who encounter it. The sealed structures will be filled with prayers, blessings, relics, and spiritual texts, forming a "physical form of prayer, made permanent in stone and earth."
Bhutan is constitutionally defined as a Vajrayana Buddhist state, with the religion deeply integrated into its governance, culture, and laws. The nation's concept of Gross National Happiness, which emphasizes peace and collective well-being, is a direct application of Vajrayana Buddhist principles. This spiritual framework also imbues environmental protection with significance, viewing nature as sacred.
The tradition of building stupas in Bhutan dates back over 2,500 years, with early structures created to enshrine relics of the Buddha.