After nearly a decade of planning, the construction of South Australia's first public stupa is well underway.

A stupa symbolises the fully-realised enlightened potential of our human mind.

At De-Tong Ling it will bless the land, give inspiration to retreaters, and provide the general public with a greater appreciation of Buddhism.

It will be open to all as a place to experience purity and peace, casual visitor and Buddhist pilgrim alike.

Situated in a remote and beautiful location at the western end of Kangaroo Island, the stupa's reflection falls upon the surface of a large body of turquoise water. The thirteen metre tall monument to peace is being carefully landscaped into the natural environment.

The meditation room underneath will be filled with Buddhist statues and traditional artwork.

Surrounded by natural vegetation with all its wildlife, it is becoming an object of great beauty and power, blessing the wind, water and earth around it.

a high degree of perfection

Built in the Tibetan style, the "Enlightenment Stupa" will be over 13 (thirteen) metres high, and completed to a high degree of perfection. Underneath the stupa, a large meditation room is in development, which will be used by visitors for Dharma purposes.

There is an upper-level walkway around the base of the stupa, which provides extensive views as well as the opportunity to gather merit.

Prayer wheels will soon be set both around the walls of the meditation room, as well as around the upper walkway.

Plans also include displaying the story of the twelve deeds of the Buddha, carved in stone - each carving separate but in a connected walking path, unfolding the story.

a place of peace

Every effort is being made to ensure that it becomes a place of peace, where visitors can relax and enjoy a pure natural environment as well as the extensive views out across to York Peninsula and the islands of Spencer Gulf. For many visitors, it will be their first connection with the Buddha and the Dharma.

an even larger project

The stupa serves as the "front door" of an even larger project - the retreat centre, where facilities are provided for both monks and lay people to engage in extended retreat.

a point of pilgrimage

The management of De-Tong Ling ("the place of Bliss-Void") expects that the building of this beautiful monument to enlightenment will bring benefits to many people, and for many, many years.

We hope that the Buddhists of South Australia will make it a point of pilgrimage, a joyful part of a visit to this beautiful island.

to build it we will need your support

If you would like to help - in any way - to bring about the building of the stupa, please let us know. Contact details can be found here.