Boulder Stupa Project – Boulder Stupa Project

THE BOULDER STUPA PROJECT

A Sanctuary of Peace for the Colorado Front Range

The Boulder Stupa Project is a non-profit organization with the mission of building and preserving Tibetan Buddhist Stupas in the Boulder Front Range.

OUR Vision

Our shared vision is to establish a 21-foot Stupa of Enlightenment and a dedicated Retreat Sanctuary northwest of Boulder. Rooted in an ancient lineage and authenticated by world-renowned Tibetan Masters, this project serves as a permanent architectural blessing—a “spiritual battery” to harmonize the land and inspire the community for generations.

Why Boulder? Why Now?

Boulder is a global hub for contemplative practice, yet it lacks the traditional sacred architecture that anchors a lineage. At a time of global uncertainty, the Stupa serves as more than just a monument; it is a functional tool for transformation.

Project Highlights

The Land: A pristine, consecrated retreat site located just 21 minutes from Pearl Street, providing accessible solitude and a direct connection to the rugged beauty of the foothills.

The Architecture: A 21-foot traditional Stupa of Enlightenment, featuring Dorje Drollo—the wrathful manifestation of Guru Rinpoche who subdues negativity—as the spiritual center point.

The Builder: Led by John Reynolds, a master of sacred geometry with a proven track record of authentic stupa construction in the West, ensuring every proportion adheres to ancient textual standards.

The Lineage: Formally blessed and guided by Adzom Gyeltse Rinpoche, Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche, and Bhaka Tulku Rinpoche, ensuring the structure carries the living warmth of an unbroken tradition.

The Location

Since the inception of our vision in 2023 to build the stupa, we have acquired retreat land northwest of Boulder (21 minutes from Pearl Street) which was consecrated in the Summer of 2024 by Bhaka Tulku Rinpoche.

Our Team

As a dedicated group of practitioners, we are united by a shared vision to bring the Boulder Stupa to life. Our goal is to manifest this sacred space as a lasting source of peace and inspiration for the entire community.

Keith Hirsch

Keith’s passion for building Stupas began about four years ago in Crestone, where he was deeply inspired by the Tashi Gomang and surrounding Stupas. He and Tom Maroshegyi realized that despite Boulder’s vibrant Buddhist community, the area lacked such structures. According to scripture, Stupas offer protective, unifying, and enriching qualities that serve as a “concrete” way to counteract aggressive, self-centered energies. Keith truly believes these Stupas are powerful tools for unifying the community and dispelling negativity.

When Keith isn’t focused on these efforts, he practices Classical Five Element Acupuncture and Counseling. In his free time, you can find him carving Mani stones, surfing, or playing the Blues (with some Country and Folk thrown in for good measure!).

Tom Maroshegyi

Tom is currently on an extended personal Dharma pilgrimage through Asia, focusing on his personal practice and supporting various local community projects. These days, he finds himself drawn to the Kathmandu Valley, drawing deep inspiration from the Stupas in Boudhanath and Swayambhunath. He is moved by how these sites serve as vibrant community hubs, kept “activated” by the daily practice of thousands of people. Tom is thrilled to be part of the team working to manifest that same vision and energy with a Stupa in the Boulder area.

Lindsay Samuels

Lindsay first encountered Tibetan Buddhist culture in 2009 during a life-changing trip to Dharamshala, India. The beauty, clarity, and reverence of the teachings inspired a shift in perspective that set her on an entirely new life path. Lindsay is passionate about personal development coaching, playing percussion with her local community orchestra, and racing with her dragon boat team. She is honored to help create the Boulder Stupa and hopes its energy will contribute to a more heart-centered and compassionate world.

Michael Auldridge

Michael’s journey began in 2018 when he built a Lama Throne at the request of Aric Parker and the Boulder-area Sangha. Since then, he has felt a calling to build with mindfulness for the benefit of everyone who interacts with his work. Years ago, when Keith first envisioned a Stupa in Boulder, Aric mentioned there was a good possibility the project would manifest—and now, that vision is finally becoming a reality. Michael is incredibly grateful to see this project come to fruition and devotes his merit to the liberation of all sentient beings.