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Final Consecration of the Stupa and Land with Gyepa Rinpoche
During July 2026, our retreat center was blessed by an auspicious visit and consecration ceremony with Gyepa Rinpoche.
After Lama Dawa’s paranirvana, before we decided to build a permanent memorial stupa on the land, we purchased a gold countertop stupa for his ashes.
With the help and blessings of Gyepa Rinpoche, who did the cremation ceremony for Lama Dawa in Nepal, we finally consecrated this stupa, and the land, 8 years later!
Emaho!
"The creation of this mandala makes an important contribution to the firm establishment, at a most fundamental and elemental level, for the Buddha Dharma to genuinely take root in the West and for the activity of the Buddha's skillful means to spread victoriously in all directions."-
"The creation of this mandala makes an important contribution to the firm establishment, at a most fundamental and elemental level, for the Buddha Dharma to genuinely take root in the West and for the activity of the Buddha's skillful means to spread victoriously in all directions."-
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A traditional Tibetan Tantric retreat center in the heart of the Mississippi Valley
Located in the Driftless Zone of Northeast Iowa, on bluffs overlooking the Upper Mississippi River Valley, P’hurba Thinley Ling offers opportunities for short- or long-term personal retreat in a truly special setting. Walking trails weave through 2,000 secluded acres of woods, bluffs, and meadows, with quiet creeks to wander along.
Our Center also includes the Buddha Temple, the Lama Dawa Memorial Stupa, and the P’hurba Peace Mandala Project. Combined with the blessings of the natural elements, visiting our Center becomes an extraordinary experience. Read more about our location here.
We also offer a wide variety of online teachings, and international in-person retreats, which you can explore here.
"The creation of this mandala makes an important contribution to the firm establishment, at a most fundamental and elemental level, for the Buddha Dharma to genuinely take root in the West and for the activity of the Buddha's skillful means to spread victoriously in all directions."-
Padmasambhava predicted that Vajrakilaya (P’hurba) would be of particular importance in restoring peace and balance on the earth at this critical time. Vakrakilaya is the powerful embodiment of all the Buddha’s activities and is the remover of obstacles.
A traditional Tibetan Tantric retreat center in the heart of the Mississippi Valley
Located in the Driftless Zone of Northeast Iowa, on bluffs overlooking the Upper Mississippi River Valley, P’hurba Thinley Ling offers opportunities for short- or long-term personal retreat in a truly auspicious setting. Walking trails weave through 2,000 secluded acres of woods, bluffs, and meadows, with quiet creeks to wander along.
Our Center also includes the Buddha Temple, the Lama Dawa Memorial Stupa, and the P’hurba Peace Mandala Project. Combined with the blessings of the natural elements, visiting our Center becomes an extraordinary experience. Read more about our location here.
We also offer a wide variety of online teachings, and international in-person retreats, which you can explore here.