Tara Retreat Center, or the Tara Zhingkham, is a sacred space for spiritual practices centered on Tara, the female Bodhisattva in Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC). Bhutan Tara Foundation, under the patronage of Leytshog Lopen Sangay Dorji, is spearheading the project.
It is one of the 22 spiritual projects approved under GMC. Once complete, the Tara Retreat Center will become one of the spiritual foundations of GMC, positioning it as a global hub for retreats and practice.
Location of Tara Retreat Center
Tara Retreat Center is located in Gelephu Mindfulness City.
Background of Tara Retreat Center
Following the announcement of the vision of the world’s first mindfulness city in Gelephu by His Majesty the King of Bhutan, His Eminence Sangay Dorji, the Leytshog Lopen of the Central Monastic Body of Bhutan, proposed the idea of such a Centre.
His Majesty the King approved the project along with two other projects on 16 October 2025. The Royal Kashos (Royal edicts) were formally handed over by the Secretary of Dratshang Lhentshog, Dasho Zangla Namgyel, at Changangkha Lhakhang.
The other two spiritual projects are the Druk Ugyen Samye Ling under the patronage of Namkhai Nyingpo Rinpoche and the Gelephu Maitreya Temple led by Trulku Kunga Tenzin.
These newly endorsed initiatives come in addition to the eight spiritual projects approved earlier, including two Royal Projects, the Gelephu Chorten and Guru Nangsid Zilnon Lhakhang, and a Ugyen Norlha Chorten by the Central Monastic Body.
The Tara Retreat Center or the Tara Zhingkham will be executed mainly through funding from external sponsors and patrons, because of the size of the initial capital needed. His Eminence Leytshog Lopen has granted seed money of USD 10,000 as a symbolic gesture.
Tara Retreat Center
The Tara Zhingkham is a sacred space for spiritual practices centered on Tara, the female Bodhisattva. It is one of its kind, where devotees and lay practitioners can pursue Buddha Dharma through short and extended practices – such as meditation, recitations, retreats, wellness, and wellbeing programs.
The Tara Retreat Center Project includes:
- Tara Village
This section is a sacred space for short silent retreats, or longer Nyungney and 21-Day Tara Retreats, and for solitary retreats among serious practitioners. The center will be tucked away from noise and public movements. It will comprise:
- Rooms – 21 premium retreat cottages, and 21 tshamkhangs
- Dining – Cafes, restaurants, cooking facilities
- Learning zone – Library & Scripture Room, classrooms
- Movement – Meditation Hall for 100 people, gardens, fitness centers, hiking, and walking trails.
- Healing area – Traditional medicine clinic, sun decks, medicinal baths, forest therapy.
- Memorial Park – Memorial Temple dedicated to Amitabha Buddha, and Memorial Garden, where memorial trees can be planted, and tsa-tsa and ashes can be kept.
- A serviced-campsite for 50-100 tents, with electricity connection, and a common kitchen, showers, and dining area.
2. Tara Potala
The Tara Potala will be a large sacred space that is open to the public to make pilgrimages, and for locals to circumambulate, meet, socialize, take evening walks with family and children, eat out, skate on the plaza, etc. It is comprised, mainly, of:
- One large structure, such as Tara Mandala, with 21 Taras as the main statues.
- The main hall on the ground floor should hold around 500 people.
- One giant Tara prayer wheel – one of the biggest in Bhutan, or even in the world.
- A separate multi-purpose hall, within the same complex, that can hold 1,000-1,500 people indoors. The Hall should also be suitable for concerts and exhibitions.
- An adjoining plaza between the Main Temple and the Prayer Wheel that can accommodate up to 10,000 people.
Objectives and Strategies
- A premium retreat center with dedicated programs and practices around Tara
Build a retreat village with premium accommodations, plus a campsite, memorial park, cafes, restaurants, gym, yoga/meditation hall, and walking and jogging trails.
- A magnificent monument for Tara practices within the GMC’s larger vision of a global hub of Vajrayana Buddhism
Develop a grand celestial abode of deity Tara – a 3D representation of Tara Mandala at the center, surrounded by another celestial paradise called Yulod Kurpa – the Turquoise-Colored Pure-Land. A large Prayer could be included in the area.
- Programs and courses with a holistic approach to healing and recuperation.
Design professional courses on mindfulness, meditation, movements, yoga, and healing, as well as traditional medicine and liturgical services.
- Create employment and economic opportunities.
Promote the Centre as an important destination for spiritual and cultural tourism – making it accessible to a wide range of visitors, while preserving the core local values. This could be achieved by organizing activities such as great prayer festivals, sacred art exhibitions, sacred music, local craft shows, and food, flowers, and fruits fairs.
Services and Activities
- A public temple accessible on all days for visits and worship, and for on-demand liturgical and prayer services.
- A Tara Prayer Wheel Park is open till midnight for circumambulation and for a family picnic.
- Post-cremation rituals, gewa, and commemoration services, including building memorials.
- Retreats and recitation programs
- Mindfulness, meditation lessons, and courses
- Outdoor/indoor yoga and movement classes
- Healing and recuperation services
- Workshops, seminars, talks, lectures, and conferences to further knowledge and share wisdom
- Festivals, community food fairs, and a local craft bazaar
- Centrepoint for public celebrations and commemorations.
Conclusion
With this project now underway, the Tara Zhingkoed will, thus, help cement GMC as a global Vajrayana city. This project is a significant contribution to the city’s spiritual landscape. It embodies Bhutan’s deep Buddhist heritage and His Majesty’s vision for a place where spiritual depth, cultural integrity, and modern aspirations coexist in harmony. You can visit the major pilgrimage sites of the Gelephu Mindfulness City with the Bhutan Pilgrimage Package.
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