For Bhutanese living far from home, there are moments when Bhutan feels close again. A prayer. A song. A gathering. A story from home. And sometimes, a national call that reaches across oceans and speaks directly to the heart.
Project 108 is one such call.
Announced by His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck on 21 February 2026, Project 108 is a sacred Royal initiative to complete 108 Jangchub Chortens in Gelephu Mindfulness City. Each chorten will stand 15 metres tall, placed in a single line along the Mau Chhu River, spaced 108 metres apart. Together, they will form a sacred procession across the land, a visible prayer for peace, protection, and collective merit.
In Bhutanese life, a chorten is never just stone, earth, or structure. It is faith made visible. It is a place where prayers are held, blessings are carried, and merit continues long after the hands that built it have gone. The Jangchub Chorten, or Stupa of Enlightenment, honours the moment of the Buddha’s enlightenment and stands as one of the most sacred forms in Buddhist tradition.
For Bhutanese in Ontario, Project 108 carries a special meaning. Many of us are building new lives in Canada, raising children between cultures, and trying to keep Bhutan close in our homes, our language, our prayers, and our values. This project reminds us that even when we are far from the mountains, we are not far from Bhutan. We remain part of its story.
The project will culminate on 1 November 2026, when the external structures of all 108 chortens are planned to be completed together in one coordinated day. But the work has already begun. Volunteers in Bhutan are clearing land, preparing sites, and offering zhabto along the Mau Chhu. Engineering, foundations, materials, and spiritual guidance are already in motion. For the final build, at least 40,000 trained volunteers will be needed across all 108 sites.
Project 108 invites Bhutanese everywhere to take part. Some may participate by sponsoring a chorten. Some may volunteer for the build. Others may support fundraising, offer prayers, share the project with their children, or contribute according to their capacity. Sponsorship is open to individuals, families, communities, and institutions, and may be dedicated to loved ones, families, communities, or all sentient beings.
For the Bhutanese community in Ontario, participation begins with awareness and intention. It begins by talking about the project in our homes, explaining the meaning of chortens to our children, supporting official efforts, and offering whatever we can with sincerity.
Project 108 is not only about what will rise in Gelephu. It is about what can rise within us: faith, unity, gratitude, and the courage to serve something greater than ourselves.
For Bhutanese across the world, this is a moment to come together. A moment to remember. A moment to offer. A moment to be part of a sacred legacy that will stand for generations.