Stupas are symbols of enlightenment and peace that commemorate different stages of Buddha's life. These buildings, characterised by their hemispherical dome crowned by a spire, often house relics and shrines, and are a focal point of Buddhism by offering a peaceful space for meditation. Since the mid-20th century, thousands of stupas have begun to populate Europe. We have compiled some of the most impressive ones in this list.
The Enlightment Stupa in Benalmádena is the largest stupa in western Europe. Its base is 25.8 metres wide, and the building is 33 metres tall. The temple was inaugurated in 2003 and blessed by Lopon Tsechu Rinpoche, one of the greatest contemporary masters of Tibetan Buddhism. The most precious relict kept inside the temple is a Buddha Kashyapa Relict - the Buddha preceding Buddha Shakyamuni’s time. This stupa is one of the few that includes a meditation hall in its inner structure due to its large dimensions.
The Peace Stupa of Zalaszántó is the largest Buddhist memorial site in Hungary. It was the sixth Buddhist site to be built in Hungary, overlooking Lake Balaton. Its construction in 1992 was possible thanks to Bop Jon, a Korean Buddhist monk looking for a tranquil space to erect a building for meditation after the end of the Soviet regime. The stupa has three levels to perform the circumambulation (walking around a sacred object), representing the four foundations of mindfulness, the four right efforts and the four powers.
The Friedensstupa (Peace Stupa) in Grafenwörth is a place of meditation and intercultural dialogue in Austria. It was built in 2019 according to the designs of architect Matthias Rainer. The stupa has three circumambulation levels and includes a meditation hall in its interior. Several events like concerts, book presentations and community encounters take place every year to celebrate diversity and understanding between cultures.
Victory Stupa in Copenhagen is located in the garden of the Diamond Way Buddhist Centre in Denmark’s capital. It was inaugurated in 2019 by Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche and Lama Ole Nydahl.
Lithuania’s first stupa, Stupkalnis Lhabab Stupa, was built in 2022 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Diamond Way School’s activities in Lithuania. The complex of the Diamond Way Buddhist Community of Lithuania also includes a meditation room with a capacity for 200 people and three huts for Diamond Way Buddhist retreats.
Enlightenment Stupa in Mokrovraty (Czech Republic)
The Buddhist Meditation Centre Těnovice and the Enlightenment Stupa are located on private property of the Diamond Way Buddhism religious society of the Karma Kagyu lineage. The Enlightenment stupa was the first one to be built in the Czech Republic. It was built by Maniwa Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche, with the assistance of Lama Ole Nydahl and his students and finally inaugurated in 2014.
The Lama Tzong Khapa Institute in the Italian Tuscany is one of the largest Buddhist centres in Europe. The institute is home to five stupas located in its garden. Four of the stupas were dedicated to the first two resident Masters of the Institute, Geshe Yeshe Tobden and Geshe Chama Ghiatso. The fifth stupa was dedicated to Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche.
The Peace Pagoda in Vienna is the meeting place of the Buddhist Society of Vienna, in a tranquil space near the Danube River. It was built in 1983 by Japanese monks to commemorate Austria's recognition of Buddhism. The design by Franz Richard Schnabel features a 26-meter-high white pagoda has a Buddha statue at the top and seven reliefs depicting scenes from the life of Buddha.
Marlow Bottom is home to three small Tibetan Buddhist Stupas, located at the entrance to Holyhill Wood. The stupas were hand-built by Tina Choules and her husband Michael, who resided in a remote cottage in the area, with the aim of having a space for meditation. The stupas are now part of several hiking trails across the woodland.
Stupa of Complete Victory in Eskdalemuir (United Kingdom)
The Stupa of Complete Victory, located in the valley on the banks of the river Esk in Scotland, was the first Buddhist stupa to be built in the United Kingdom. The stupa is part of the Kagyu Samyé Ling Monastery and Tibetan Centre, which was founded in Eskdalemuir in 1967 and named after the very first monastery founded in Tibet. It was consecrated in Scotland on August 3rd 2000, on Dharmachakra Day by Sangye Tenzin Rinpoche, marking the New Millennium and the 60th Birthday of Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche, the Founder of Samye Ling Monastery.
