Buddhist masters from various schools and denominations and about 200,000 people from around the world congregated in Gelephu, Bhutan, on Sunday to witness volunteers erect 108 stupas in a single day.

The newly erected sacred structures, representing Buddha’s enlightenment, anchor Gelephu Mindfulness City. Conceived by Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and designed by Danish architects, the city is taking shape as a vibrant economic hub that puts the ideals of ecological sustainability and the happiness of the country's citizens over commercial profit.

The city, currently a small town with a population of about 10,000, is in southern Bhutan along the border with India , about 150 miles (240 kilometers) south of Thimphu, the nation's capital.

Amid massive economic challenges — from rising unemployment and falling birth rates to the mass migration of skilled workers — Bhutanese are pinning their hopes on this city to boost their economy and provide the opportunities that would encourage young…