The stūpa – Tibetan chörten (Wylie: mchod rten) – is one of the most recognisable symbols of Buddhism and Yungdrung Bön, rich in layered meaning and spiritual significance. It embodies both the wisdom that perceives reality as it is and the wisdom that understands its boundless scope. As both a visual support and a symbol of enlightened qualities, the stūpa serves as a constant reminder of the Buddha's enlightened virtues.

Each element of its structure – proportions, shapes, and ornaments – symbolises specific qualities of the Buddha and the bodhisattvas. According to sacred texts, stūpas are expressions of the Buddha’s compassionate power, radiating blessings to all who honour them. They also serve as support for purification and the accumulation of merit.

Traditional practices associated with stūpas include prostrations, circumambulations, offerings, purification rituals, and the application of sacred oils or essences. These actions are intended to purify inner obscurations and strengthen the accumulation of virtuous merit.

The benefits of these practices are manifold: they are said to bring beneficial rains, fertile lands, prosperous harvests, health for sentient beings, and harmony among humans and animals. Offerings made to stūpas are therefore regarded as sources of well-being and abundance.

This workshop offers an in-depth exploration of the nature and symbolism of stūpas. It is intended for those who, guided by faith or the wish to understand, seek to deepen their connection with the sacred meaning of these spiritual monuments.

As a complement to this understanding, the act of drawing a stūpa will be practised as a form of meditation and spiritual cultivation. Quality paper and pencils are provided for the participants. Please bring other tools, such as a ruler, an eraser, or your favourite pencil.

Through mindful observation and careful tracing of its sacred geometry, participants can transform the creative process into a contemplative exercise – inviting stillness, focus, and inner connection with the qualities embodied by the stūpa itself.