Project Programs
Grow and learn while working together
The Stupa Center invite you
Are you interested in joining the community and contributing work?There is a special joy in working together on meaningful and positive goals. In the Stupa Center we see the work itself as practice and support each other in learning and growing. A good way to make new friends!
We invite you to join one of the project programs listed below or check out the volunteer page.
Project starts in September 1, 2025 – October 17, 2025
Setting Up and Trying Out the Retreat Center
Between september 1 and October 17 we will do construction work, test the kitchens, beautify the gardens and organise several try-out retreat weekends and private stays. All activities in this period will be donation based. Full will be full, so we advise you do not delay your reservation!
What are we going to do
Our volunteer teams: hospitality, construction, gardening, cooking, office team and publicity team will start working in the new center and find out together how best to coordinate. We will especially do a lot of construction work but will also beautify the rooms and gardens.
How can i help
We need especially handy people who can help with making the meditation hall soundproof, refurbishing two private studios and making an extra shower. And if you are interested in regular cooking for our center please join us during the try-out weekends when we will be buildinbg our cooking teams. We also need help with gardening and cleaning. Send us an email if you have time available and would like to join.
Project starts in September 8, 2025 – October 19, 2025
Setting Up the Sacred Art Studio Winterswijk
The New Stupa Center will open its own Sacred Art Studio which will work closely together with the studios in Amsterdam and Köln. The studio will start by making an exhibition about Stupas and preparing the studio for producing Clay Stupas and printing Prayerflags for World Peace.
What are we going to do
Between September 8 and October 10 we want to transform the old barn into a pleasant Sacred Art Studio. This means making glass windows in the old barn doors and setting up a
Space for the prayerflag press and for a clay oven. In the Sacred Art Space we will also be preparing an exhibition specifically focussing on buddhist stupa’s.
How can i help
We are looking for a good craftsman who can install the windows in the old barn doors and for some sacred art voluneers who will help with making the Sacred Art Studio ready for the opening. This will include making an exhibition in the sacred art space about the meaning of stupas and their symbolism and putting equipement in place to start the work after October 18.
Ongoing Project expected to start in November 2025
Clay Stupa Project Europe
The Sacred Art Studio Winterswijk plans to produce Clay Stupas in all sizes and kinds to be placed in the center itself and some for donors/practioners.
What are we going to do
First the studio will concentrate on producing landstupas that can be placed in the gardens and pathways of the stupacenter. The work will be led by Steve Shumway Alois Gehrmeijer and Marianne Moerbeek- all experienced in working with stupas. After that the Sacred Art Studio will continue creating Clay Stupas in modest sizes- to be placed in homes and gardens of dedicated practioners and major stupa donors.
How can i help
If you have 1-3 days per week availble to join the work in the Sacred Art Studio, we warmly welcome you as a volunteer in the center. If you come from far away, you are welcome to stay overnight in one of our (sometimes shared) volunteer rooms. All volunteers may also be asked to help with some other daily chores , like meal clean-ups or picking up guests at the station
Ongoing Project expected to start in November 2025
Prayerflags for World Peace
The Winterswijk Sacred Art Studio will host a special press to print small prayerflags designed by Tarthang Rinpoche to inspire World Peace. The message of the flags will be carried by the wind in all directions and is said to subtly influence deepr dimensions of mind.
What are we going to do
We will certainly be printing the flags in Winterswijk on a newly bought press. The images and texts on the flags are powerul and sacred so the work needs to be done with care and devotion and the fabric may not touch the ground. The sewing of the flags can happen in Winterswijk but also in the city centers in Köln and Amsterdam. Printing the flags takes 1 or 2 people who can more or less make their own schedule. Goal is to print at least 300 flags per month, 10 months per year, starting november 2025.
How can i help
If you are willing to regularly be in Winterswijk to learn the skill of printing the flags and then help producing 300 flags per months (3000 per year) , you are the person we are looking for. Printing or sewing prayer flags is very meritorious work which you will notice brings its own soft special blessings. Welcome!
Project expected to start in spring 2026
Developing a Food Forest annex Meditation Garden
This project depends on the purchase of two hectares of extra land which we hope to have accomplished by december 2025. If we succeed and also get permission from the municipality this extra land will be transformed in a permaculture vegetable garden or food forest with a pond and places for solitary meditation.
What are we going to do
Prepare the land for sowing seeds, dig a pond – place land stupas and make places or meditation huts for solitary practice.
How can i help
If you are interested in helping realise the project, or have specific plants available please let us know than we can keep you posted about the progress with the land and the project
Project expected to start in september 2026
Building the World Peace Stupa Europe
Last but not least: the World Peace Stupa Europe will be the living heart of the new center in Winterswijk. An experienced international TNMC stupa team is cooperating with Erwin Thoma and two professional architects, well known in Winterswijk to design a unique Winterswijk Stupa. We are in contact with the municipality of Winterswijk about the conditions, position and looks of the stupa because permission is needed. Read more on the stupa page
What are we going to do
When all lights are green, we will be building this new Winterswijk stupa with durable wood and a large prayerwheel at its center. The central obelisk is already here. The stupa will be surrounded by circumambulation pathways and a beautiful stupa garden. This central volunteer project will take between 2-5 month and will have include special daily practices.
How can i help
If you can be available in summer and fall of 2026 as a residential volunteer in Winterswijk for 2-5 months you are the perfect stupa project volunteer. Building a stupa is a golden opportunity which is said to bring blessings for you and your loved ones for ages to come.