On July 26, 2006 one large and eight small stupas were erected at Lerab Ling, in the Languedoc region of southern France, as a gift to honor Sogyal Rinpoche and the Rigpa sangha.  The inspiration for the gift was both to recognize the great contribution of Rinpoche’s teaching, and to honor Rinpoche’s students, three hundred of whom were shortly to begin the traditional three year retreat.

This was the first installation of marble stupas for The Dharma Sanctuary, guided by the direction of Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche.  On the same day, 2,000 people were in attendance to commemorate the completion of the five story temple at Lerab Ling.  It was an auspicious and memorable event, a Rabne day.

Site preparation began weeks before, but the actual placement of the marble blocks by crane took less than eight hours.  Click on the image below to see photos in the gallery.