Sundays...

Today was a day off from work out on the site. We spent the day attending a teaching by our Teacher, Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo. To give you some background on who we are, all of this is happening at a Tibetan Buddhist temple in Poolesville, Maryland. The Stupas are part of what our center is offering to the world. Though we are all ordinary folks, with many different backgrounds and talents, we all found our way to the temple. Not all of us practice, not all of us consider ourselves Buddhists, but we do share the common goal of bringing and end to suffering in the world. Though that may sound grandiose, all our activities are motivated by that goal. It is my hope that by following this blog, you can see that a bunch of ordinary folks, with nothing more in common than a desire to relieve the suffering of beings, can accomplish amazing things. If you want to see more about the temple, you can check out the links on this page. There are links to our centers both in Poolesville, and in Sedona, Arizona where we are in the process of building a new temple--and where they just finished a new Stupa!

Whether you have an interest in Buddhism or not, it is my hope you will take some comfort in knowing that there are folks, like the ones you see on these pages, who are spending their time out working on Stupas, planting gardens, cleaning altars, and praying for the end of suffering in the world. Both centers maintain a 24 hour prayer vigil, 24 hours a day, every day of the year, every day, someone is in the prayer room of our temples, praying for the end of suffering for all beings. We had hoped to complete at least the Stupa Park by the 20th Anniversary of this extraordinary practice, but it isn't looking promising. : )

Regarding the project, we've run into some complications regarding paint, so we're exploring where we should focus next, while we await the resolution of the paint dilemma. Our current plan is to begin some preliminary work on the Enlightenment Stupa (see image below).

The Stupa Park (where we've been working so far) is one of three main Stupa sites on our property. The Migyur Dorje Stupa is the third, we're saving that one for last. It's the largest, and the most challenging of all, so we'll benefit from the experience we gain working on the others. We are all volunteers, and learning as we go along. Fortunately we've connected with some really helpful vendors who are willing to guide a bunch of DIY Buddhists. Thanks to Chuck and John at Cathedral Stone, and Jerry Mulnix at Calwestern paint. Don't worry, I get no discounts for this, it is sincere gratitude. We couldn't be doing the job we're doing without their input and expert advice.

Tomorrow the plan is to tend to more details at the Stupa Park, replacing Plexiglas, brocade, polishing the Amitayus Statue, putting some primer on the wooden spires of the small Stupas, and proceeding with repairs.

May whatever merit or virtue is generated by these activities be devoted to establishing every sentient being in unending joy.