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Dharma Sanctuary

Stupa Ceremonies

After the initial blessing of the land a trip to Santa Fe was made to harvest juniper logs for making into obelisks, called tsokshing in Tibetan, to set into the stupa spire. Next was the "Suppressing of Negativity" ceremony meant to drive all ill fortune away from the area of the stupa. After the first half of the stupa was erected, the lower chamber of the stupa was filled with 6,000 tsa tsa in a community event. Another ceremony in November 2007 was held while three small granite stupas were filled with tsa tsa. Lastly was the consecration ceremony in 2009 which is shown on another page.

Lama Rinchen making tea offering to the spruce tree before cutting

marking the cardinal direction of the tree

Andrew Fitts, Lama Karma Rinchen, Jeremy Morrelli

The tree harvesting gang

from juniper log to final carved and painted tsokshing

The ceremony of 'Suppressing the Negativity' begins

Blessing the stupa site

more ceremony

juniper smoke blessing

placing symbols of negativity in the hole

placing chains and wips

sealing up the triangular hole

now begins filling the lower chamber with tsa tsa

passing tsa tsa to Lama Rinchen

Lama Rinchen and Robin Mazor

the process begins

sand and tsa tsa, sand and more tsa tsa

layer by layer

getting near the top

adding prayer drums

aromatic juniper branches to fill the last part

sealing the lower chamber

all done and put to rest. Ready for the next sections

Lama Rinchen beginning the ceremony to fill the granite stupas

one granite stupa filled

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