Goal Reached!

The Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa wishes to express its deep gratitude to everyone who has supported the creation of the new Stupa of Enlightenment dedicated to Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche: our unforgettable Guru, the spiritual guide of the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition — FPMT — and a figure of fundamental importance in the history of our Institute.

Thanks to the generosity of practitioners, friends, benefactors and supporters, the fundraising goal for the construction of the Stupa has now been reached. Every contribution, large or small, has helped make this project possible and has created the conditions for a new place of practice, remembrance, purification and accumulation of merit.

This result is not only a material achievement. It is the fruit of a collective participation born from the wish to honour Lama Zopa Rinpoche, to support the continuity of his vast activities, and to create positive causes for his swift return.

Towards the Completion of the Stupa

Updates and Key Dates

  • His Holiness the Dalai Lama has blessed the initiative and offered precious relics to be placed inside the new Stupa. These relics were brought to the Institute by President Lucia Landi and Director Valerio Tallarico.
  • The land purification ceremony was held on 5 November 2025 by the resident Geshes of the Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa: Geshe Tenzin Tenphel, Geshe Jampa Gelek and Geshe Lhundup.
  • Work on the construction of the Stupa began on 22 November 2025 with the excavation of the foundations.
  • On 14 March, the first step of the throne was blessed and filled with precious substances.
  • On 17 April, the second filling of the throne took place.
  • The final aim is to consecrate the Stupa on 3 December 2026, the day of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Institute’s founding, Lama Tsongkhapa Day, and Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s birthday.
  • Through the workshops held at the Institute, practitioners, students and friends have been able to take an active part in preparing the materials to be placed inside the Stupa, such as mantras and tsa-tsas.

The New Stupa: Discover the Details

This type of Stupa commemorates the Buddha’s attainment of full Enlightenment and his victory over the māras beneath the bodhi tree in Bodhgaya, India. It will be similar to the Stupa already built in memory of our other founder, Lama Thubten Yeshe.

The monument will stand over 4 metres high, with a base of approximately 3 metres, and will be placed inside the garden of Lama Yeshe’s Stupa, where Lama Zopa Rinpoche loved to circumambulate during his visits to the Institute.

The garden will therefore hold both Stupas of the founders of the FPMT and of the Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa. The circumambulation path will further strengthen this place as a space for purification, practice and the accumulation of merit, offering a deep connection with our founding Masters even to those who simply come to visit the Institute.

The works are being directed by the humanitarian organisation STUPA Onlus, which will create the monument. For around twenty years, STUPA Onlus has been dedicated to preserving the Tibetan and Himalayan tradition through the restoration of ancient Stupas.

The estimated cost for the construction of the Stupa is approximately €53,875, including VAT. Thanks to the generosity of everyone who has contributed, the fundraising goal has been reached.

The costs of the new Stupa include the works needed for its construction, the landscaping, decorative painting, ornaments and filling materials. Before and during the construction, according to tradition, pujas of protection, harmony and auspiciousness are also performed in order to remove all kinds of obstacles.

Watch the video presentation of the Stupa project to His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Thank You to Everyone Who Made This Project Possible

We wish to thank everyone who has contributed to the creation of the Stupa: those who offered financial support, those who shared the project, those who took part in the practice and preparation sessions, and those who supported it with their work, time and dedication.

We will continue to share updates on the progress of the works and on the upcoming stages connected with the construction, filling and future consecration of the Stupa.

With deep gratitude, we dedicate this achievement to the swift return of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche, to the long lives of the Masters, to the flourishing of the Dharma, and to peace in the world.

All Elements of the Stupa Sponsored

 

 

  1. Bronze peak of the stupa € 4,500 + vat
  2. Gao Nepal € 1,700 + vat
  3. Umbrella Nepal € 1,700 + vat
  4. Crystal sun € 220 + vat
  5. Saffron € 500 + vat
  6. Mantra printing paper € 1,000 + vat
  7. Fabric for mantra € 250 + vat
  8. 2 Rows of printed and colored lotuses € 1000 + vat
  9. Animal decorations, 2 peacocks, elephants, horses (€ 80+80+80) € 240 + vat
  10. Symbols among animals, 2 dorje, wheel, jewel (€ 50+30+30) € 110  + vat
  11. 2 Lions € 800
  12. Throne corner decorations (8 Pieces) € 160 + vat
  13. Gilding and coloring decorations € 1,000 + vat
  14. Gold leaves for top € 700 + vat
  15. Transparent painting bronze top € 600 + vat
  16. Realization tree of life € 300 + vat
  17. Miscellaneous reserve € 1000 + vat
  18. Lavender flowers € 1,250  + vat
  19. Construction work € 26.000 + iva

Lama Zopa Rinpoche: our unforgettable Master and Spiritual Guide

Lama Zopa Rinpoche (1945-2023)
Born in the Thami region of Nepal, he was a perfect example of a practitioner and meditator, known worldwide for his tireless and compassionate work for others. Rinpoche taught incessantly on almost every continent, and because of his extraordinary qualities and unique teaching style, he was one of the most internationally renowned masters of Tibetan Buddhism. A principal disciple of Lama Yeshe, he was co-founder and spiritual director of the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), of which the Institute is a part.
Rinpoche has set in motion a host of Vast Visions for the FPMT organization that will span generations to accomplish. These include the proliferation of many charitable projects and beneficial activities
Rinpoche was also utterly dedicated to fulfilling the wishes of His Holiness the Dalai Lama wherever and whenever possible and held this to be an utmost priority for FPMT.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche as he circumambulates the stupas of the Lama Tzong Khapa Institute during the Retreat of 100 million mantra
OM mani padme hum which Rinpoche led in Pomaia, Oct. 4 to Nov. 5, 2017.

We thank you

Stefano Gaviglio, Manuela Ferro, Sharon Methvin, Roberto Cacciapaglia, Vincenzo Ragnano,Michele Velluti, Elena Delaini, silvia bellini, Mariacristina Zennaro, Fabrizio Papponetti, Stefano Bigi, Raffaella Conti, Barbara Gambardella, Emmanuela Iacona, Cristiana Spini, Sophie Prenez, Sophie Minon, Monica Fossi, Valentina Marchetti, Eleonora Dolara, Diego Zani, Paolo Cristini, Andrea Bernardo, Katharina Koppitz, Christian Steinert, Francesca Paoletti, Mariateresa Miraglia, Eloisa Guarracino, Elisa Salvadori, Patricia Weill, Eugenia Moratti, Francesco di Vara, Iva Venturi, Laura Maria Pezzenati, Giustina Sereno, Giuseppina Vincenzi, Marzia Fogli, Raffaella Rizzo, Giuseppe Cammarata, Francesco Morgante