The sacred statue
A 135-feet copper-gilded statue of Guru Padmasambhava.
THE PROJECT
Druk Tul-Juks
Dho Ngag-Ling.
A 135-feet copper-gilded Guru Padmasambhava statue, envisioned by His Holiness the 12th Gyalwang Drukpa.
WHAT WE ARE BUILDING
More than a statue.
A place of possibility.
Druk Tul-juks Dho Ngag-ling brings together prayer, learning, meditation and care — to reflect a compassionate heart and a calm mind.
A place for prayer
A prayer hall to accommodate 300 attendees for Pujas.
Wisdom preserved
A library to house a precious collection of Buddhist scriptures and texts.
Learning together
A learning centre to propagate the teachings of Lord Buddha.
Space for stillness
A meditation centre for ordained and lay practitioners to practise and accumulate merits.
Compassion in action
An old aged home adjacent to the statue site, with basic care support, is a future phase of the project.
A FUTURE PHASE
Care for
our elders.
Another phase of the project is to build an old aged home with basic care support for retired elderly monks and lay people. This is one of our ways to demonstrate the teachings of Buddha and put it into practice. Showing compassion towards the elderlies living in the extremely harsh weather condition of Ladakh.
By providing a roof over elderlies who have no families to care for, and caring for them in the late stage of their life. This is a genuine practice of loving-kindness and compassion for the human kind.
SKARA, LEH · LADAKH
A place of
profound belonging.
His Holiness the 12th Gyalwang Drukpa proclaimed the building of the statue of Guru Padmasambhava on a hill in Skara, where Kartse Gonpa stood. From the top of the hill, you will be awaken by the spectacular view of the entire Leh valley and beyond. Kartse Gonpa is a branch of Hemis Monastery, with many historical significances. It has traces of a very early human settlement and remnants of a historical Kartse Gonpa monastery where two old shrines remained and a recently built prayer hall (Nyeneskhang) stood. Skara is 15 mins drive from the Ladakh airport. Ladakh – which means “land of high passes”, is a beautiful region located in the north Indian state .
His Holiness the 12th Gyalwang Drukpa proclaimed the building of the statue of Guru Padmasambhava on a hill in Skara, where Kartse Gonpa stood. From the top of the hill, you will be awaken by the spectacular view of the entire Leh valley and beyond. Kartse Gonpa is a branch of Hemis Monastery, with many historical significances. It has traces of a very early human settlement and remnants of a historical Kartse Gonpa monastery where two old shrines remained and a recently built prayer hall (Nyeneskhang) stood. Skara is 15 mins drive from the Ladakh airport. Ladakh – which means “land of high passes”, is a beautiful region located in the north Indian state .
Known for its breath-taking scenery of natural landscapes, scenic terrain, crystal clear blue lakes and rustic splendour of majestic mountains, it is a land of tranquillity lined with the snow-capped mountains in the background. Ladakh is a place filled with depth and richness of culture, traditions and folk heritage. In preserving the environment, Ladakh has implemented a “no-plastics” zone since more than a decade ago.
Positioned amidst significant mountain ranges, including parts of the greater Himalayas, Ladakh is known as the “Land of High Passes”.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Preserving heritage.
Nurturing practice.
To establish a landmark statue in Ladakh for Buddhist practitioners to accumulate merits. To provide a space for Buddhist practitioners to learn, practise and meditate. To preserve and strengthen the cultural heritage, traditions, art and literature of Ladakh and Buddhist practitioners.
Guru Padmasambhava introduced Vajrayana Buddhism in Tibet in the mid-8th century after taming the local negative and obstructive spirits. Devotees reverentially call him the second Buddha. Over the centuries, Vajrayana Buddhism spread throughout the Himalayan region.
FOR ALL SENTIENT BEINGS
A place to visit.
A path to practise.
Local devotees, Buddhist practitioners from afar and tourist can visit to pay homage to the Guru Padmasambhava statue – a protector who bring peace and harmony to the land where it stood and to the people around the world. Local devotees, Buddhist practitioners and visitors can perform kora* (circumambulation) around the grand statue.
What is kora?
*Kora is a form of pilgrimage where the practitioner walks around and circling a holy or sacred place and/or object. The practitioner may chant mantra or spin prayer wheels or prostrate along the path. It is a form of meditation in which one who perform the kora will generate Bodhicitta, or “an enlightened mind” and accumulate merit.
The committee envisages that a community of monks and yogis will flourish to carry out the most precious tradition of Vajrayana Buddhist practices founded by the 8th century Buddhist saint-scholar from ancient Nalanda university of India Guru Padmasambhava, who introduced Buddhism in Tibet
Annual Guru Mantra recitation festival
Upon completion of this project, an annual Guru Mantra recitation festival will be organised for thousands of devotees, local and international, to participate and to accumulate merits.
THE JOURNEY
A vision unfolding
through the years.
The project’s published milestones and targets. Target dates are plans, not confirmation of completion.
Construction commencement
The beginning of the project’s construction journey.
Site blessing
Site blessing by His Holiness.
Ground breaking
Preparing the sacred site at Skara.
Statue fabrication
The copper-gilded statue parts were being fabricated.
Assembly plans
Lotus seat, Vajra, Vase, Shoes and other completed features were planned to be transported to Ladakh for assembly in 2023.
Target completion
Published target for completion of the project.
Target consecration
Planned in conjunction with the grand Naropa Festival, held once every 12 years at Hemis Monastery to celebrate the birth anniversary of the great Indian saint Naropa.
Major works can only be carried out from April to October. Winter conditions, with temperatures around minus 30°C, are too harsh for outdoor construction activities.
WORK IN PROGRESS
Glimpses of the journey.
From foundations to copper craftsmanship, photographs from the project’s own collection.
17 photographs
A COMMUNITY-LED EFFORT
Building it together.
This project is led by His Eminence Khamtak Rinpoche, under the guidance of His Holiness the 12th Gyalwang Drukpa. The project committee comprises stakeholders from government, head of local communities and villages, professional bodies, and heads of societies and associations. We are seeking sponsorships to fund the construction cost of this project. Local governments and communities are contributing to the project fund too. All interested sponsors or donors are welcomed to contact the sponsorship team.
Support the project