Home     Contact Us         Log in

Community Articles - Category Archive

May 27
Tuesday

An Austrian Offspring of the Great Stupa of Dharmakaya

Filed under Regions, Austria, Switz., Italy, Community Articles, Editorial Staff

By Peter Nowak

It is said that a stupa would have unseen impact on our world and inspire future generations of practitioners. This story, coming from as far as Austria, is a little example of the radiation of “The Great Stupa of Dharmakaya Which Liberates Upon Seeing” in Drala Mountain Centre.

Last May, the Board of Shambhala Global held a retreat at Drala Mountain Centre. During this retreat, we had a magical visit to the Stupa with Dale Asrael giving teachings and the Board together with the Stupa team breaking ground for the construction of the new Stupa Visitors Centre. At this occasion, I was reminded of this little story when my second daughter requested me to build a stupa in the Austrian/Italian mountains.

We, my three small kids and my first wife, had been at Rocky Mountain Dharma Centre for a month-long Vajrayana program in 1999. We all were very impressed by the Stupa still under construction. At that time, the “life pole” of the Stupa was finalized. So, two years later I went there again, together with my six-year-old son, to take part in the consecration ceremony for the Stupa.

When we came back to Austria touched by the magic of the Stupa, my eight-year-old daughter urged us to also build a Stupa near our beloved mountain hut at the Austrian-Italian border high in the mountains. Of course, we followed the command of my daughter and constructed this little Stupa with the stones from the surrounding mountain slope. We tried to follow the basic form, put an Ashe in the foundation, a “life pole” wrapped with the Vajrasattva-Mantra, and a white quartz stone as the top. With a little imagination, it looked like Mount Kailash. We consecrated it with a Lhasang and offered incense in a circumambulation at the beginning of September 2001. See a little documentation below.

It was expected that our little stupa would not remain for a thousand years or longer like The Great Stupa of Dharmakaya Which Liberates Upon Seeing. But last fall, 23 years later, I was there again. It was still standing! It needed a little bit of renovation, the quartz stones were gone, but it was still there. Of course, I had to document this as well.

May the Great Stupa in Colorado and the little stupa in the Alps bring liberation and happiness to future generations!


Peter Nowak first met Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche in 1985 and attended the last three-month seminar Trungpa taught in 1986. He has three adult children, worked for 35 years in health system reform and was teaching at several universities in Austria. By developing strategic initiatives in close collaboration with the Austrian Ministry of Health, he had a rich training ground for creating an enlightened society – with and without success. He had many roles in his home Shambhala Center in Vienna, has been a meditation teacher since 1986, was on the Board of Shambhala Global from 2020 to 2024 and during this time also part of the Shambhala Europe Advisory Board. Only in recent years has he started to teach more in Shambhala.

Entries filed under Community Articles


On the Map and On the Move

On the Map and On the Move – HIGHLIGHT

Judy Lief reading at the Boulder Shambhala CenterTracking the Resounding of the Profound Treasury by Carolyn Gimian It starts in Boulder. It is early April 2013. The Profound Treasury of the Ocean of Dharma, only Volume One mind you, is being read hour after hour for three days ... continue
Posted April 19, 2013 by
The Buddy System

The Buddy System – HIGHLIGHT

Where the peacock livesby Cynthia MacKay, Los Angeles It is often lamented that we are less likely to know our neighbors in a big city like Los Angeles. Yet sometimes we feel profoundly connected to these almost-strangers. Cynthia MacKay writes here about the loss of her neighbor ... continue
Posted April 15, 2013 by
Family Meditation

Family Meditation – HIGHLIGHT

Family Meditation – three generationsby Kerry and Kelly MacLean, mother-daughter duo It’s early in the morning; even the sun is still sleeping. Hector and Kerry peel themselves out of bed to wake up their five kids in time to get a brief meditation in before school. Kelly, ... continue
Posted March 30, 2013 by
Barefoot Walking

Barefoot Walking – HIGHLIGHT

Shambhala Times Interview with Shambhalians Michael Sandler and Jessica Lee about their new book: Barefoot Walking edited by Ani Dawa Chotso As the thousands of people who have fallen in love with barefoot running already know, shedding one’s shoes is good for the body and the soul. Barefoot Walking ... continue
Posted March 29, 2013 by
The Warriorship of Aging

The Warriorship of Aging – HIGHLIGHT

COLUMN: Aging in Enlightened Society How to Rule Your World Instead of Being a Victim Contemplations by Ann Cason “It feels solid, simple, and straightforward. Then, you also have a feeling of gentleness and openness, as though an exquisite flower has bloomed auspiciously in your life. In whatever action you ... continue
Posted March 27, 2013 by
From Enlightened Society to Detroit

From Enlightened Society to Detroit

article and photos by Jeff Fink He had very kind eyes. But his robe was the most distinctive feature of this Christian monk who took his seat next to me on this first leg of my journey home to Utah from Enlightened Society Assembly at Karme Choling. ... continue
Posted March 24, 2013 by
Cooking With The Moon

Cooking With The Moon – HIGHLIGHT

Kitchen Wisdom by Lisa Harris Random thought: “When I sit down to write something, I realize I am looking for answers. If that is true, what are the questions?” One of my favorite words is wisdom. It hasn’t been a very common word throughout my life, education, and career. ... continue
Posted March 24, 2013 by
Radical Friendliness

Radical Friendliness – HIGHLIGHT

Alicia Vogl Saenz is a museum educator at one of Los Angeles’ premiere art institutions. She shares a bit about how the Shambhala teachings inspired her to create a culture of “Radical Friendliness” at the musuem. A few years ago, my supervisor and I were planning ... continue
Posted March 13, 2013 by
Pleasure in Precision

Pleasure in Precision – HIGHLIGHT

COLUMN: In Everyday Life In a recent skype interview, the Shambhala Times enjoyed the occasion to interview Mr. John Darby, a long-time Shambhala student, and woodworker since the early 1970s. John lives with his wife, Shastri Andrea Darby and family in Western Massachusetts. We asked him about ... continue
Posted March 6, 2013 by
Charnel Ground of "No"

Charnel Ground of “No” – HIGHLIGHT

COLUMN: In Everyday Life Recently over breakfast, the Shambhala Times had the opportunity to interview David Fraioli, Shambhalian and actor living in Los Angeles. David co-starred in Episode 8 of this season’s popular TV show, Dexter. We asked him about that experience, and his experience of what ... continue
Posted February 27, 2013 by
Limitless Possibilities

Limitless Possibilities – HIGHLIGHT

Kitchen Wisdom by Lisa Harris Part One: Groundless… I am experiencing some personal resistance back here at home, while helping with food shopping and cooking dinners for my family. Each one of us has a unique set of health related food requirements that restrict the ingredients I can use ... continue
Posted February 23, 2013 by
Fresh Posture

Fresh Posture – HIGHLIGHT

COLUMN: In Everyday Life In which we visit with Shambhala practitioners from all walks of life to hear stories about their life, livelihood and how their meditation practice permeates their everyday experience. Recently over the phone, the Shambhala Times had the opportunity to interview Brandon Jellison, Shambhalian, Massage ... continue
Posted February 22, 2013 by
Beyond a Broken Window

Beyond a Broken Window – HIGHLIGHT

COLUMN: In Everyday Life In which we visit with Shambhala practitioners from all walks of life to hear stories about their life, livelihood and how their meditation practice permeates their everyday experience. The Shambhala Times was delighted to interview Deborah Bright recently through skype. Deborah is both a ... continue
Posted February 20, 2013 by
Confessions from the Office of Culture and Decorum

Confessions from the Office of Culture and Decorum – HIGHLIGHT

Observing the “Neutral Day” by Amanda Hester Adjutant to the Shambhala Office of Culture and Decorum Fact: Shambhala Day has always been my favourite day in the whole year, and not just the day itself but the entire, potentially weeklong, event. I love the address, especially the sign-in of ... continue
Posted February 10, 2013 by
Seeking Advertising Sales Agent

Seeking Advertising Sales Agent

Job Listing Shambhala Times is Looking for an Advertising Sales Agent We need an advertising sales agent to assist with generating income for the Shambhala Times. This role, funded on a 25% commission basis, will work to find both local and national clients willing advertise with the Shambhala ... continue
Posted February 7, 2013 by

RSS feed for the Community Articles category

View all posts from authors in Community Articles: jillian_johnson



Website Development by Blue Mandala using Wordpress MU.
All content and source Copyright © 1994-2025. Shambhala International (Vajradhatu), Shambhala, Shambhala Meditation Center, Shambhala Training, Shambhala Center and Way of Shambhala are registered service marks of Shambhala USA
Privacy Policy
Translate »