Kyabje Dorje Chang Kalu Rinpoche traveled to the West for the first time to benefit beings by teaching the Dharma. During several visits over the next two decades, he taught extensively in Europe and North America where he founded many Dharma centers—including several with facilities for the traditional three-year retreat—and erected a number of stupas. Having taught the Dharma universally, he lived even longer than many great Lamas had prophesied. His loving-kindness and limitless compassion were apparent to all those who met him.

Lama Norlha Rinpoche and Kagyu Thubten Chöling Monastery invite you to join us in sponsoring the building of stupas commemorating the kindness of His Holiness the Sixteenth Gyalwang Karmapa and Kyabje Dorje Chang Kalu Rinpoche, and dedicated to the flourishing of the Kagyu Lineage and the enlightenment of all sentient beings. To date, seven stupas in eastern Tibet have been completed. A stupa (pictured on right) at Kagyu Samchen Chöling in Charlottesville, VA has been completed, the structure is finished and Lama Chopal, a master of traditional Buddhist art, has painted murals on its interior walls.

As the symbol of the Buddha's enlightened mind, the stupa is a field of enormous merit which benefits all beings by preventing disease and obstacles, and by promoting harmony and prosperity. Making any connection with the stupa is a particular blessing for those who are sick, dying, or experiencing obstacles. The virtue accumulated by contributing even a small amount to this project is inconceivable – like a drop of water becoming inseparable from a great ocean of merit.