Kalachakra stupa

In Buddhism, a Kalachakra stupa is a stupa whose symbolism is not connected to events in the Buddha's life, but instead to the symbolism of the Kalachakra Tantra, created to protect against negative energies.Karma Guen homepage about the stupa Retrieved 2009-01-31 It is the rarest kind of stupa.
==Symbolism==
The specific symbolism of the Kalachakra stupa refers both to the symbolism of a stupa and the Buddhist conception of the universe, described in the Kalachakra teachings.Kuchary - Miracle stupa homepage Retrieved 2009-02-06
Stupas express the nature of mind in a perfect way. It symbolizes both enlightened state of the Buddha with body, speech and mind, the ten Bodhisattva levels, as well as the universe: It shows harmony and perfection of all universal principles.Karma Berchen Ling Kalachakra stupa Project Retrieved 2009-02-15Beer, Robert: The Encyclopedia of Tibetan Symbols and Motifs (2004) Serindia Publications Inc. ISBN 1 932476 10 5 There are 8 different types of stupas in the sutras, all referring to important events in the Buddhas life. A ninth stupa, the Kalachakra stupa, can be found among the highest teaching of the Buddha in the non-dual Maha-Anuttarayoga tantra, also known as the “Wheel of Time” or Kalachakra.
The Kalachakra Tantra refers to external, internal and alternative aspects. The external aspects deals with cosmology, astronomy and astrology, the internal deals with the individuals inner energy-system; the interrelationship between body and mind. The alternative aspect meditation deity practice on the Kalachakra. The stupa has great protective power.
==Kalachakra stupas in the world==
Kalachakra stupas in chronologic order:
===Stupa in Bokar Monastery, Mirik, India, 1988===
This Kalachakra stupa at Bokar Monastery was built in 1988. The monastery is both Karma and Shangpa Kagyu. Inside the stupa are relics of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, mantras and sacred object inside. Mandalas of specific deities are placed inside the different levels of the stupa.Kagyu Changchub Chuling homepage about the stupa Retrieved 2009-02-01
===Stupa in Eastern Tibet===
There is a Kalachakra stupa near the border of the old Tibet, built to protect against negative energies from outside the country. This stupa gave the inspiration for building the Kalachakra stupa in southern Spain.
===Stupa in Karma Guen, Spain, 1994===
This stupa was built in 1994 under guidance of Lopon Tsechu Rinpoche, in the south of Spain. It was the first stupa assisted by Tsuchu Rinpoche, a stupa he considered to be the “Mother stupa”, for the other stupas in the west. It is located in a Diamond Way Buddhist (Karma Kagyu) centre, and designed by Woitek Kossowski, who was the architect of the project. It was constructed in the period from July 18 to September 12, 1994. It is 13 meters high and covers a ground area of 49 square meters. Inside it are relics from the present and former Buddhas, the complete Kanjur and Tanjur (all Buddhas teachings and commentaries). At the time it was built, it was only the third of its kind in the world. This stupa has eyes painted on it, a Nepalese custom also seen on the famous Boudhanath stupa in Kathmandu.
===Stupa in Dharamsala, India===
This stupa is located at the residence of the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala, India. It was built just before the stupa in Garanas, Austria.Kalachakra Kalapa Center homepage about the stupa Retrieved 2009-01-31
===Stupa in Garanas, Austria 2002===
The stupa was built on the ground of the Kalachakra Kalapa Centre in southwest Styria, Austria.
It is an exact copy of the stupa built at the residence of the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala, India. The stupa was constructed by Geshe Tenzin Dhargye, from December 2000 to October 2002. Ngawang Lodoe, from the monastery of the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala, were supervising the construction. Inside is incense, holy scriptures, valuable items of everyday use. The relics were provided the Dalai Lama, the venerable representatives of the five Tibetan Buddhist lineages and other important masters.
==See also==
*Buddhist Art
*Enlightenment Stupa in Benalmadena
*Boudhanath
*Stupa
*Buddhist architecture
*Buddhist symbolism
*Mankiala
==References==
Category:Stupas
Category:Vajrayana Buddhism
Category:Tibetan Buddhist art and culture