Development of the Latvian Peace Pagoda (Enlightment Stupa) was initiated by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. During the meeting in November 2007 His Holiness encouraged the erection of Peace Pagoda with the following words: “I wish this building and your work become a necessary condition that will lead all living beings to mental and physical happiness”.
With the blessing of His Holiness the Dalai Lama the construction of the Peace Pagoda (Stupa) in Latvia began in 2007, the construction project was headed by His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chesang Rinpoche.
His Eminence Nubpa Rinpoche gave his blessings and very important advice for the Peace Pagoda construction and consecration of the vase of Pagoda. In addition, he transferred a huge number of rare relics to be laid in the Stupa and carried out all the necessary rituals. Also Nubpa Rinpoche sent one of the best Ladakh artists - Lama Dondub to Latvia, who successfully made a beautiful painting inside the Stupa.
The venerable Yudra Rinpoche took an active part in the Peace Pagoda project - shared his rich experience in the construction of such structures, made prayers and conducted pujas at the construction site of the Pagoda. Honorable Teachers who also participated in this project and passed the relics for Stupa - Ranyak Dza Patrul Rinpoche, Lama Sonam Dzhorpel Rinpoche, Lama Thrangu Rinpoche, Tenga Rinpoche, Kyabje Garchen Rinpoche.
The location for the place of the construction (Zemgale, Ozolnieki region, about 40 km from Riga towards Jelgava) and the size of Stupa (18 meters high) have been chosen so that its beneficial effects extend to the neighbouring countries: Lithuania, Estonia, Belarus and Russia. The selection of the land for Stupa construction has been happening in accordance with all the canons of determining the place for the holy object. This place was chosen by our spiritual Teachers out of other 12 proposed places in Latvia.
During the process of determining the central point of the construction auspicious signs have manifested indicating the Place of Power.
Construction of the Stupa was started in 2007. In winter of the same year Venerable Yudra Rinpoche with the assistance of Lama Sherab carried out the first purification rituals and consecration of the land for construction. Specific recommendations were given by Kyabje Garchen Rinpoche who also kindly provided special ingredients to be laid in the ground before the construction.
Special rituals and interior fittings were carried out by the qualified Lamas from the Himalayas. Only most qualitative and durable materials were used when constructing the Stupa, and all the construction activities were coordinated with our Teachers on a weekly basis.
There are more than 2500 different relics and a large collection of Dharma texts laid in Stupa, all of them have been granted by the Teachers since 1992 .
Consecration and filling of the Guru Rinpoche statue for the dome of Stupa was held in 2011 by Lama Khenpo Thubten Lodru Nyima under instruction of Dza Patrul Rinpoche.
In August 2012 four qualified lamas from Nepal performed special rituals, carried out interior arrangements of the Stupa and fitting of the Sokshin, the ‘Tree of Life’.
In May 2013 Lama-yogini - Ani Dolma, a nun from Tibet, conducted filing with the relics and the rite of the ‘revival’ of the Maitreya statue for the ground floor of Stupa.
The opening of the Latvian Peace Pagoda was held on the 28th of June 2014. Stupa consecration ceremony was performed by His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche and His Eminence Nubpa Rinpoche.
