Stupa on the Mönchsberg
The Mönchsberg Stupa was built and blessed in 2011. Stupas are symbols of freedom, peace and harmony.
There are different forms of stupas. The form of the one in Salzburg is an enlightenment stupa (Tibetan: Jangchub Chorten), which commemorates the perfect realisation of the historical Buddha Shakyamuni.
The place where a stupa stands can simply be enjoyed, used for meditation or, according to ancient tradition, the stupa can be circled in clockwise motions. Also, super-personal wishes for all kinds of happiness, peace and prosperity of all living beings and ourselves work very powerfully in the presence of a stupa.
The Salzburg Stupa was built for the town and its inhabitants by the Salzburg Karma Kagyu Diamond Way Buddhist Centre, and inaugurated and blessed on 23 September 2011 by the great buddhist master Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche, considered one of the most significant masters of meditation in Nepal, and Lama Ole Nydahl, a lama providing Mahamudra teachings in the Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism and founder of some 700 Buddhist centres worldwide.
While Buddhist monuments used to be confined only to Asian countries, they can now be found in many other parts of the world. They are meant to have a positive effect on all living beings and further them on their path to happiness, freedom and peace. Both through their outer form and the treasures stored inside, stupas have an effect on conscious and subconscious levels. They are designed to guide people to their inner strength and activate their positive qualities.