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Noah’s Stupa Consecration info for family and friends

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Dear Family and Friends,

 

I’m writing because my sister recently asked for more information about the consecration of Noah’s stupa, and it made me realize that many of you, family and close friends,  might appreciate a fuller sense of what this is, and why it carries such meaning. This letter is for all of you who have held Noah in your hearts, each in your own way.

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As many of you know, my son Noah passed away on October 11th, 2024. In the months that followed, we built a memorial stupa for him here on the land at White Jewel Mountain. With the help of Khenpo Sonam, and under the guidance of Adzom Gyalse Rinpoche, we filled it with the traditional sacred items that belong inside - prayers, relics, offerings, and symbols of awakening. We also held a small preliminary consecration, a quiet moment of blessing, knowing that the full ceremony would come when the time was right.

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A stupa is a sacred monument, but it is also something very human: a place where the heart can rest. You don’t need to be Buddhist to feel that. Many people experience stupas as places where memory becomes tender, where grief softens, where something steady and peaceful seems to meet you. For me, this stupa is a way of honoring Noah’s life in a lasting and loving way - a place where his presence can be felt, not only remembered.

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There is another layer I want to share, especially with family. In the last years of his life, Noah’s heart was deeply tied to White Jewel Mountain. He cared about shaping this land into a place of refuge and clarity - a small but genuine dharma center where people could come to breathe, to practice, to reconnect with what matters. He also had a close personal relationship with Adzom Gyalse Rinpoche, who guided him with warmth, humor, and kindness. In many ways, this stupa is not only for Noah - it is something he himself dreamed into being. It feels like a continuation of what he hoped to create.

This October, we will be holding the full consecration ceremony - the traditional way of blessing a stupa so it becomes a place of peace for anyone who visits. Over several days, prayers and chants are offered, and the stupa is “awakened” as a living memorial - not just a structure of stone, but a place that carries warmth, blessing, and a quiet sense of presence.

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A deeply meaningful part of this is that Adzom Gyalse Rinpoche, our spiritual director, will be here to lead the ceremony. He is a highly respected teacher in the Tibetan tradition, but what people notice first is his kindness — a grounded, effortless compassion that seems to put everyone at ease. His willingness to include Noah’s stupa in his travels next year is a tremendous gift, and it brings a depth of blessing that means more to me than I can say.

Because of his schedule, the consecration will take place over a three or fourday period beginning October 15th, 2026.

For me, this ceremony is not only a spiritual event - it is a gathering of remembrance, love, and community. It is a way of saying that Noah’s life continues to matter, and that something beautiful is being created in his name.

You are warmly welcome to join for any part of it, if you feel drawn to be here. I’ll share more details as we get closer.

With love and appreciation,

Ralph Abrams

founder