May 11th...Pete and Chuck....

Short post tonight. I worked all day (as a nurse I do 12 hour shifts...theoretically...they normally run longer). Norbu was with his family. Quang didn't show up (probably because we couldn't assure him there'd be work to do).

Ani Rene did receive the sand delivery, and the replacement sandpot. Not having seen it I can't say if it is better or not. : ) She did say Pete and Chuck showed up later in the afternoon, and they muddled through a second learning phase (trying to figure out the new pot) and did eventually get some work done. Don't know how much, but at least some progress was made. : ) Thanks Chuck and Pete!

Norbu should be back on site tomorrow, hopefully with his camera. : ) I'll touch base with him in the evening, and see where everything stands by then. Ashby, one of our anchors, will be back out tomorrow as well.

For myself it will be another day of earning a living (though I will say I do love my job, tough as it can be at times).

I've included a photo here taken by Chris Bonebrake, a professional photographer who has become involved with the temple. He's generously donated his work to us. It is of the Long Life Stupa before it was stripped of paint. Even with peeling and tarnished paint, it is beautiful. It is powerful. It remains a constant source of blessings, open to any being who sees it, hears of it, or touches it, even those who remember it. The blessings are real. The Stupa is real. It is right here in Maryland, or on this webpage (however you connect with it!). Though we haven't worked in the Stupa Park for a few weeks, it is still solid in our hearts. We're waiting to work out the custom paint order. Once we've completed the sand blasting on the Enlightenment Stupa, and painting of that can begin, we'll go back and complete the repairs in the Stupa Park. We'll need all this experience to prepare us for our greatest challenge...Migyur Dorje!

Please do come and visit our Stupas, any or all of them. There is one right next to the parking lot for those that don't want to walk much, and there are those tucked away in the wooded land across the street from the temple, for those that want to get away from the crowds. The Stupas are open to anyone, all the time. No need to know what they are, or understand their amazing power to benefit from their blessings and experience the peace being around them brings. Come on out and see for yourself, you need not believe me. : )

If you decide you want to get involved with those of us working to repair and restore them, just let us know. At least one of us is out there almost every day, and we'd be happy to help you get involved, as much or as little as you're comfortable with!