Mahamudra Hall
MAHAMUDRA HALL
Abari
ARCHITECTS
Abari
PHOTOGRAPHS
Chemi Dorje Lama
AREA
600 m²
YEAR
2024
LOCATION
Dakshinkali, Nepal
CATEGORY
Cultural Architecture
English description provided by the architects.
The Mahamudra Meditation Center sits atop a secluded mountain, about an hour from Kathmandu. It can be reached on foot or by an off-road vehicle during dry weather conditions.
The center is a brainchild of a Chogyal Rinpoche, a young Tibetan Buddhist master, torchbearer of an esoteric lineage of Buddhism that dates back to the 12th century.
He believes that the time has come for the common people to have access to the knowledge that was hitherto safeguarded by the Tibetan Masters.
He envisions a place of learning where people can access not only esoteric wisdom, but also where even the architecture and natural surroundings radiate a sense of spirituality.
Mahamudra Hall is made of six layers of roof supported by handcrafted bamboo, forming a mandala-like truss that is 16 meters high, making it one of the tallest bamboo structures in South Asia.
Walls are made using rammed earth, which breathes just like the meditators inside.
The structure has a square layout, and its tall copper roof is designed to symbolically channel energy upward toward the heavens.
Windows are strategically situated at a meticulously calculated angle and further accentuated with perforation so that the floor of the meditation hall is washed with warm sunlight with different intensities throughout the day.
Similarly, in the same center dining hall is built with curved bamboo and wattle and daub walls.
The curled bamboo seems to encapsulate the meditators so as to keep them safe from the harsh mountain weather and terrain of the region.
Walls of the accommodation are insulated using sheep wool and plastered with earth, creating a salubrious haven for meditators who spend days in this solitary mountain.
All the structures are built using locally sourced materials such as bamboo and earth, which have minimal environmental impact.
In fact, we've established a bamboo plantation along a degraded riverbank—not only revitalizing the riverside ecosystem but also ensuring a sustainable supply of high-quality bamboo for our needs.
It's a compelling example of a regenerative ecological system that benefits both people and the planet.
