Tens of thousands build 108 Buddhist stupas for Bhutan mindfulness city

In a display of national unity, tens of thousands of volunteers recently participated in the construction of 108 Buddhist stupas in southern Bhutan. This monumental effort occurred at the site of the future Gelephu Mindfulness City, a project aimed at revitalizing the nation's economy. While some might search for the ten buddhist principles to understand the cultural context of these monuments, the event focused on creating a physical manifestation of prayer using stone and earth. The 15-metre-tall structures were installed along a 12km stretch of riverbank near the Indian border.

The scale of the event

Officials reported that more than 40,000 people began work shortly after midnight to complete the installation. The ceremony attracted approximately 200,000 attendees, representing nearly one-fourth of the country's total population. King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, who addressed the crowd, expressed his gratitude for the successful completion of the project, noting his initial concerns regarding the ambitious timeline. The number 108 holds deep significance in Buddhism, a faith widely practiced across the Himalayan kingdom.

Bhutan is constructing a new mindfulness city to drive economic growth and curb youth migration.

Vision for the future

Conceived by the King and designed by Danish architects, the Gelephu Mindfulness City is intended to serve as a vibrant economic hub. The project seeks to attract investment in green technology, sustainable business, education, tourism, and financial services. Currently, the site is a small town with 10,000 residents, but the government envisions a major transformation. The initiative also aligns with the kingdom's broader economic strategies, including the use of surplus hydropower for Bitcoin mining and the integration of digital assets. Indian billionaire Gautam Adani has already joined the project as a founding member, and plans are underway to connect the site to the Indian rail network, with an international airport expected to open by 2029.

Why it matters

Bhutan faces significant economic hurdles, including rising unemployment, declining birth rates, and the mass migration of skilled workers. By establishing this special economic zone, leaders hope to persuade the younger generation to remain in the country. For the broader South Asian region, the development of this city near the Indian border signifies a major shift in regional infrastructure and economic cooperation, potentially creating new trade and employment opportunities for neighboring communities.