LIGHT OF THE VALLEY presents the inspiring story of the 15th renovation of the Swayambu Stupa in Kathmandu, Nepal, recognized as one of the most important stupas in the Buddhist world. Renowned for its great antiquity, blessings and power, this stupa has been worshipped continuously through the centuries by the people of Nepal and Tibet. It remains a focus of daily offerings, prayers and ceremonies today.

In 2008, Tarthang Tulku Rinpoche sent his daughter, Tsering Gellek to Nepal to direct the renovation, a project that is traditionally undertaken once in a century. With the help of 70 skilled artisans, in less than two years the project was successfully completed. Guna Foundation has produced a 30-minute documentary, Light of the Valley, chronicling this momentous achievement.

Light of the Valley reawakens an appreciation for sacred sites across the world. Since time immemorial, sacred sites have served as spiritual beacons to humanity, reminding us of our true purpose and potential in life. It is vitally important to maintain and protect sacred sites, for in preserving them, the precious knowledge of our human heritage may be preserved for generations to come.

Light of the Valley documents the Tibetan Nyingma Meditation Center’s two-year renovation of the Svayambhu Stupa, one of the most sacred sites of Nepal and the entire Buddhist world. Perched on a small hillock in the center of the Kathmandu Valley, Svayambhu, with its majestic white dome and resplendent golden spire, stands as a beacon of light. Visited every year by hundreds of thousands of pilgrims, the Stupa is a living monument, a source of meaning and inspiration that awakens the heart’s innate goodness and restores balance to body and mind.

Legend has it that Svayambhu magically appeared in the center of a giant lake as a beautiful lotus radiating light. In order to protect the pristine self-arisen lotus, it was encased in a sacred structure. Over the centuries, through the offerings of devotees, the Svayambhu Stupa evolved from a simple Stupa to an ornate structure clad in intricately patterned sheets of copper covered in gold.

Renovations ensure the continued splendor of the Stupa and are opportunities to maintain the living traditions of the site and link the beauty and meaning of Svayambhu to the current generation.

Light of the Valley is available for purchase through Dharma Publishing.