Great Lotus Stupa (German Monastery)

The Great Lotus Stupa — popularly known as the German Monastery or simply German Stupa — was built by the German Tara Foundation (Tara Stiftung) in the West Monastic Zone of Lumbini and opened in 2010. Designed by the Nepali master craftsman Kunzang Namgyel in consultation with the German patrons, it is the largest and most elaborate stupa in the Lumbini master plan and one of the finest examples of modern Tibetan vajrayana mandala architecture anywhere.

The stupa is a full three-dimensional mandala: a broad circular base symbolising earth, four cardinal gateways with lion guardians, a bulbous dome (anda) representing water, a stepped harmika representing fire, and a 13-ringed spire for air and the progressive stages of enlightenment, crowned by a gilded finial. The exterior is painted brilliant white with gold and red trim. Unusually for stupas, the interior is open to the public: an octagonal main chamber is covered floor to ceiling in vivid hand-painted murals depicting the Buddha's life, scenes from the Lotus Sutra, and the deities of the Tibetan pantheon.

A large adjoining temple hall houses a central Amitabha Buddha image in the Tibetan style, backed by a richly carved and gilded torana. The foundation runs regular meditation retreats and dharma teachings in Tibetan and English. Best visited in the morning when the light falls on the east-facing murals; wear socks — the interior floor is often cold stone.