The sacred statue of Lama Gangchen Rinpoche
The process of developing the design — ensuring the statue had the closest possible resemblance to Lama Gangchen Rinpoche, right down to his facial expression — was long and complex. Today, we are delighted to say that we have finally achieved a wonderful result!
The statue
The statue depicts the great yogi and healer Drubwang Gangchen Rinpoche in the form and robes in which he was most commonly seen by everyone. He holds a dorje and bell in his hands, representing his love and wisdom, and displays the Dharma-teaching mudra, creating a positive interdependence and the wish that he may continue, in his subsequent reincarnations, to teach the Dharma and guide us along the path.
Where the Buddha’s body is, there is also his mind. In the language of the Dharma, it is said that the commitment being helps us to connect with the wisdom being. In other words, the image of a person refers to the real person with whom we have, or have had, a meaningful relationship, and acts as a bridge between us and them.
Similarly, the statue of Lama Gangchen Rinpoche represents the commitment being, which allows us to connect with the authentic wisdom being, in his pure peaceful and joyful energy.
The consecration
Each statue will be filled with fragments of objects and clothing belonging to Lama Gangchen himself in addition to the mantras with which statues are traditionally filled. Filling the statue represents an important stage of preparation, as it transforms the very nature of the object, making it an authentic vessel for sacred energy. This will be followed by the consecration through the Rabne ceremony that invites the wisdom beings to take up residence within the statue itself.
The benefits
For practitioners and disciples of the NgalSo tradition, each of these statues is an object of meditation and devotion, a tool for practicing Guru Yoga, and a way to connect with the Root Guru and, consequently, with all the masters of our pure, uninterrupted, and excellent lineage.
May everything be auspicious!
The statue-making process
August 2022 - selection of reference photos for the design of the 3D model
July 2024 - statue design
June 2025 - prototype
August 2026 - order
November 2026 - arrival in Albagnano
February 2027 - collection by donors in Albagnano and sending to NgalSo centres
How to participate
Three life-size statues (132 cm tall) will be ordered for the Albagnano and Milan centres, forty smaller reproductions (30 cm tall) for NgalSo centres worldwide, and a number of copies for donors. Three different amounts are available for donating to the statues: €400, €800 or €1,200. Each person donating one of these amounts will receive a 30 cm statue.
The order for the statues will be placed at the end of August 2026. Therefore, the deadline for donations is August 31.
It is possible to:
– Make a single donation;
– Make a donation in 4 installments;
– Dedicate the donation to another person who will then receive the statue.
If you wish to make your donation in installments, by bank transfer or donate another amount, please contact fundraising@kunpen.it.
The statues will be available for collection from Albagnano starting in February 2027. For other delivery options, please contact fundraising@kunpen.it.
