Italian Architect Unveils Ambitious Plan for New Buddhist Meditation Center in Nepal

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Italian Architect Unveils Ambitious Plan for New Buddhist Meditation Center in Nepal

By Dipen Barua
December 22, 2023

Italian architectural studio Stefano Boeri Architetti has unveiled its ambitious design for a meditation center and landscaped gardens at Ramagrama Stupa, a popular Buddhist pilgrimage destination in Nepal.

The architect’s masterplan for the center includes an expansive Peace Meadow around the sacred Bodhi tree, which is surrounded by a Biodiversity Ring Garden featuring a large gathering and meditation area that can accommodate thousands of monastics.

Peace Meadow, the planned site’s main attraction, is 600 meters in diameter, with a broad lawn that is designed to resemble a mandala—a geometric symbol of the spiritual universe. The design is intended to encourage contemplation and mindfulness in the vicinity of the cultural areas.

Four pathways will direct visitors to the central hill via four entrance gates. The designers say that their design takes into account local environmental conditions, allowing monastics and lay visitors year-round access.

According to Stefano Boeri Architetti, the center’s design was inspired by the work of Japanese architect Kenzo Tange, author of the masterplan drawn up for Lumbini Museum in 1978, with a focus on the use of local raw materials.

Ramagrama Stupa, which has been dated to the earliest period of the Buddhist tradition, is located about 50 kilometers east of Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha. It comprises a green mound surmounted by a Bodhi tree, and features four unique plant species, intended to represent the oneness and harmony of the Buddha’s teaching.

The project was unveiled at Ramagrama Stupa during a grand ceremony that was attended by Buddhist monastics, the prime minister of Nepal, government officials from Nepal and India, and members of the public.

“This project represents an extraordinary challenge for us: that of creating a meaningful center for prayer, meditation, and peace in one of the most sacred sites of Buddhism,” said Stefano Boeri Architetti founder Stefano Boeri. (Arch Daily)

“Respecting the very rich symbolism of Buddhist scriptures, we proposed the creation of a large Biodiversity Garden Ring around the Ramagrama Stupa with a high level of biodiversity in terms of plant species,” Boeri continued. “Due to its truly universal value and collaborative nature across cultures and nations, this project will become one of the most significant ongoing cultural heritage projects in Nepal.” (Arch Daily)

The Biodiversity Ring Garden, a sloping area containing 80,000 plants of 70 different types, surrounds the entire property. The plant varieties were chosen from species native to the Terai lowland region, the birthplace of Buddha. The garden ends with a circular elevated path shaded by trees that provides an unimpeded view of the stupa.

Boeri founded his namesake studio in 2009. It has offices in Milan, and operations in Shanghai, Doha, and Qatar. The firm focuses on researching and developing modern architecture and urbanization, with an emphasis on biodiversity.

Dipen Barua

Dr. Dipen Barua is a teaching faculty member at the Centre for Buddhist Studies at The University of Hong Kong. He has authored a book and published several articles in Bengali and English, on the subject of Buddhist studies, women’s issues, Buddhism in South and Southeast Asia, and cultural heritage.

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