Background
Where Mindfulness Meets Destiny
A Visionary Journey in the Land of Thunder Dragon
History
Building the Spiritual Heart of the Future
In an era searching for balance, His Majesty the King of Bhutan has unveiled a historic endeavor: Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC)—the world’s first special administrative region dedicated to mindful prosperity. Spanning 4,000 square kilometers, GMC is a groundbreaking model for futuristic living that blends cutting-edge innovation, green tech, and financial systems with environmental harmony and spiritual wisdom.
GMC is Bhutan’s answer to youth migration and economic stagnation—a commitment to build a prosperous future without sacrificing the soul. It is a bold movement toward mindful capitalism, proving that human progress can prioritize well-being, connection, and ecological regeneration over extraction.
Why The Tara Retreat Centre
The Soul of the Mindfulness City
A city without a soul is just concrete and steel. To anchor this visionary economic system, His Holiness the Je Khenpo—Bhutan’s highest spiritual authority—and His Majesty the King have commissioned the creation of its spiritual foundation.
Led by His Eminence Leytshog Lopen Rimpoche, two sacred monuments are rising to form the spiritual seat of Gelephu:
- Shambala Dzong: The main religious seat anchoring the core values of the city.
- Tara Zhingkham (The Tara Retreat Centre): A sacred sanctuary dedicated to Arya Tara, the divine manifestation of swift compassion, protection, and wisdom.
The Tara Retreat Centre
The Spiritual Heartbeat of GMC
The Tara Retreat Centre is not merely a monument; it is the spiritual heartbeat of GMC. It gives the city its character, providing a timeless haven of peace, meditation, and inner transformation for residents, global visitors, and future generations.
How you can be part of this project
A Timeless Call to Humanity: Leave Your Footprint on Dharma
From ancient times—when emperors and kings united across regions to erect sacred stupas and temples—spiritual hubs have relied on the shared devotion of a global community. Today, you are invited to join this extraordinary lineage of sacred patrons.
By supporting the Tara Retreat Centre, you are not just donating to a building; you are:
- Fulfilling a Historic Royal Vision: Directly contributing to one of only fourteen strictly vetted initiatives approved by Royal Decree to shape Bhutan’s future.
- Empowering Youth & Community: Helping build a sustainable home that provides opportunity, hope, and pride for Bhutan’s next generation.
- Anchor of Global Well-Being: Co-creating a sanctuary where ancient wisdom meets modern innovation, offering solace to a fragmented world.
- Creating Everlasting Merit: Leaving a permanent, tangible legacy in the sacred landscape of Buddha Dharma that will benefit countless generations to come.
Ge Involved
Be Part of the Legacy
The Tara Retreat Centre stands at the intersection of ancient grace and a transformative future. We invite visionary donors, spiritual seekers, and friends of Bhutan around the globe to stand with us in laying the spiritual foundations of the world’s first Mindfulness City.
Together, let us build a haven of compassion. Together, let us give the future a soul.
Connect With Us
Ven’ble Sonam Tobgye
Chairperson
Bhutan Tara Foundation
and Tara Retreat Centre
M: +975 1711 6577
E: sonamtobgay668@gmail.com
Dr. Dorji Wangchuk (PhD)
Vice-Chairperson
Tara Retreat Centre
M: +975 1749 2648
E: dorji.wangchuk.pam@gmail.com
Ms. Yangchen Dolkar
Vice Chairperson
Tara Retreat Centre
International Monastic Relations Officer
Central Monastic Body
(Zhung Dratshang)
M: +975 1711 1349
E: bhtwheels@gmail.com
Ven'ble Kinley Wanghuk
Goodwill Ambassador and Board Director
Tara Retreat Centre
M: +84 3888 48293
E: quenchuk18@gmail.com