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Bronze and gold statues with yellow roses and ritual offerings against an orange shrine wall — Benalmadena, Malaga, Spain — February 2015 — The Statues of Benalmadena Enlightenment Stupa — photograph by Tokpa Korlo
Colorful sculpted mask with wide eyes, open mouth and an ornate crown — Benalmadena, Malaga, Spain — February 2015 — The Statues of Benalmadena Enlightenment Stupa — photograph by Tokpa Korlo
Close view of a dark bronze crowned statue with floral details against an orange wall — Benalmadena, Malaga, Spain — February 2015 — The Statues of Benalmadena Enlightenment Stupa — photograph by Tokpa Korlo
Low-angle side view of a golden seated Buddha draped with a white scarf inside a mural-lined room — Benalmadena, Malaga, Spain — February 2015 — The Statues of Benalmadena Enlightenment Stupa — photograph by Tokpa Korlo
Pair of carved lion figures displayed beneath a large painting of watchful eyes — Benalmadena, Malaga, Spain — February 2015 — The Statues of Benalmadena Enlightenment Stupa — photograph by Tokpa Korlo

After an afternoon spent in the sun, admiring the walls of the stupa reaching up into the sky - clear bright white crossing with deep, dark blue - upon returning the following day and…

BENALMADENA, MALAGA, SPAIN · FEBRUARY 1, 2015

The Statues of Benalmadena Enlightenment Stupa

After an afternoon spent in the sun, admiring the walls of the stupa reaching up into the sky - clear bright white crossing with deep, dark blue - upon returning the following day and venturing inside the stupa one is greeted with an entirely different set of colors - those which bring rise to feelings and memories drawn not only from Tibetan imagery and art, but that of Bhutan. Matte pastels mixed with shining gold and glimmering bronze - and rich earthy reds that appear carved from clay, with a smooth texture and finish that are both unique and beautiful.

Heading downstairs to the art exhibition, a museum quality array of statues, masks and costumes of brilliant colors are everywhere, traditional artworks and paintings adorn the walls. I am particularly drawn to a pair of lion statues, standing together, looking outwards, while a pair of golden eyes gaze down on them - and a mask of both intense and brilliant features and colors watch from across the room.

The statues here are both unique and wonderful, and after many, many visits to Gompas around the world the choices here are both refreshing and bold - a unique look and feel that sets the interior vibe apart from any other. Keeping in mind that all of this is in fact inside the stupa itself, making this Stupa and its exotic, wondrous location and surrounding environment, truly one of the most spectacular things I have ever seen.
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