The Rachen World Peace Stupa Service Project aims to bring to life the vision of the late Lama Zopa Rinpoche by constructing a seventy-foot-tall stupa in the courtyard of Rachen Nunnery, located in the remote Tsum Valley of Nepal. This stupa will serve as a beacon of hope and symbol of enlightenment, filled with precious relics and sacred mantras, and designed to stand for at least a thousand years. Additionally, the project seeks to establish Rachen Nunnery as a center for intensive study and retreat of the Lam Rim teachings, preserving the cultural and spiritual practices of the Himalayan region.

This project is important because it fulfills the wishes of the late Lama Zopa Rinpoche, a highly respected spiritual leader while supporting the community of earnest female practitioners of Rachen Nunnery. By constructing the World Peace Stupa and improving the facilities of Rachen, we are helping to preserve Tibetan Buddhist wisdom and culture in the Himalayan region of its origin, providing a sanctuary for intensive spiritual practice, and creating a symbol of lasting peace and goodwill that will inspire future generations.

You can get involved in the Rachen World Peace Stupa Service Project by participating in various fundraising activities. You can work independently or form small groups to develop your own projects, such as organizing events, creating handcrafted items for sale, or hosting community gatherings. To connect with like-minded individuals and receive support for your efforts, join our dedicated WhatsApp Chat Group.

The specific goals of the Rachen World Peace Stupa Service Project are:

• Construction of the Stupa: Building a seventy-foot-tall, earthquake-proof, stupa in the courtyard of Rachen Nunnery, designed to last for a thousand years.
• Nunnery Enhancements: Renovating and improving the infrastructure of Rachen Nunnery to make it more hospitable for nuns and visiting retreatants, including warmer bedrooms, new communal washrooms, a kitchen expansion, and greenhouses for fresh vegetables.
• Spiritual Preservation: Establishing Rachen Nunnery as a center for the intensive study and practice of Lam Rim (gradual path) teachings, and more broadly the preservation of Tibetan Buddhist wisdom and culture in the Himalayan region of its origin.

While crowdfunding is a valuable tool, this project emphasizes personal engagement and spiritual transformation through service. By actively participating in fundraising activities, individuals not only contribute financially but also connect deeply with the project's mission, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose. This approach aligns with the values of compassion, generosity, and interdependence that are central to the teachings of the late Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Geshe Tenzin Zopa.

Participating in the Rachen World Peace Stupa Service Project offers individuals a unique opportunity for spiritual transformation. Engaging in selfless service to fulfill Lama Zopa Rinpoche's wishes and support the Rachen Nunnery community embodies virtues such as compassion, generosity, and interdependence. The acts of offering support and service not only benefit the nunnery but also enrich the participants' spiritual journey, fostering a sense of joy, meaning, and purpose, and cultivating the merit or blessing needed for spiritual realization

In addition to the construction of the stupa, other projects associated with this initiative include:

• Annual Rachen Retreat: An annual two-week retreat at Rachen Nunnery, organized by Dr. Miles Neale and Dr. Emily Wolf, and taught by Geshe Tenzin Zopa and special guest teachers, will provide a communal gathering point each year for intensive study and practice of Lam Rim teachings in a very conducive environment.
• Fundraising Walk-a-thon: A fundraising trek led by Dr. Miles Neale across the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route in Spain, planned for June 2025.
• Past Initiatives: Previous projects have included creating custom mind training (lojong) and Lam Rim card decks, handmade malas and tsa tsas, organizing public teaching events, and hosting group dinner parties.

You can contribute financially to the project by donating through the payment gateways on the Gradual Path website. The options include 1) a fixed, reoccurring monthly contribution via credit card or paypal for two years; 2) a one-time gift of any amount via credit card, PayPal, or direct bank transfer; 3) a personal service project; and, 4) a group service project, with 100% of the proceeds (minus transaction fees) going directly to the Lama Zopa Trust in Kathmandu earmarked exclusively for the Stupa.

The budget for the Rachen World Peace Stupa Service Project is as follows:

• Stupa Construction: USD $1 million (with over $100,000 already raised)
• Nunnery Renovations: USD $100,000 (with over $20,000 already raised) for structural improvements to make Rachen Nunnery more hospitable for nuns and visiting retreatants, including warmer bedrooms, new communal washrooms with Western toilets and hot water showers, a kitchen expansion, and greenhouses for vegetables.

To stay updated and connected with the Stupa project, join our dedicated WhatsApp Chat Group. This platform allows you to connect with like-minded individuals, share ideas, receive support and feedback, and stay informed about the latest developments and opportunities to get involved.