May 18th...Perseverance...

It was an interesting and wonderful day, despite hitting some pretty thick snags.

I spent most the day with Ani Sherab Khandro and Lisa. Sherab is an artist, and has been intimately involved in building almost all of the Stupas we have here at KPC. She's visiting from Arizona (where she was involved in the just completed Amitabha Stupa), so we're trying to capture as much of her knowledge and experience as we can while she's here. Lisa, our resident artist, has been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to learn from Ani Sherab. I went along to learn, but more importantly, to videotape it all. The goal is to develop resource materials for future projects, so we can all learn what needs to be done.

Back at the Enlightenment Stupa Norbu had a great turn out to work today. Quang came early, as well as Leigh, Thubten and Howard. Pete also came in the afternoon. Unfortunately, even with all that help, progress was modest. The sandpot broke down, the hoist malfunctioned, and Norbu told me this is what it has been like the past few days, obstacle after obstacle. We asked Ani Rene to do some Vajrakilaya for us, while we all worked on getting the most out of the situation.

Ani Sherab focused on making molds so we can replace the missing lotus petals from the Enlightenement Stupa. She decided, after assessing the Stupa itself, that she wants to altar the petal design a little, and worked with Lisa on shaping and sculpting them. By the end of the day, materials had arrived (finally) to make the molds, and they were well on their way to getting them done!

As for the sandblasting, once we got a new pot (really weird one, at least to us) and figured out how to use it, we did make some progress on the Stupa. The new hose works well, but is awkward to use. Maybe we just need to get used to it!

Big day ahead tomorrow. We cut off work early (not really early, 7:30 PM) to attend tsog. Tomorrow we plan on making it a long day, after dark, to really get through some of this sandblasting...we'll see. Hearts can be willing, but as I said before, that sand is heavy! Our goal is driving us though, wanting to be ready for Saga Dawa!

The paint arrived on site today (thanks Michelle!) which is one big hurdle crossed. Now we just have to get the Stupa ready!

In closing I'll (as usual) invite you all to come out and see what we're working on. The Stupas are a source of tremendous benefit and blessing, open to all beings, and effortless to use. All you have to do is show up. Walking clockwise around them is better, but just seeing them is fantastic, so do come out if you can. Make plans to be here on Monday May 23rd, for Saga Dawa, when we'll give everyone interested a chance to paint the Stupa! If you can come physically, do follow this blog, it too, is done for all of you, especially those who can't come out in person!