Though Sundays are usually a day for practice and teachings (we practice every day, but for many Sunday is the one day they can join in group practice), the schedule over the next week is going to be different. Khenpo Norgye will be giving teachings and empowerments next weekend, so work will be put aside. The sandblaster is rented, and we have a goal of having the Stupa ready for paint by May 23rd, for Saga Dawa (so everyone, including you if you can make it, can have a chance to paint the Stupa!). Thus, I decided that if anyone was willing to work with me I'd keep the sandblasting operation going. Lisa, suspecting I might pull this, brought a change of clothes, ready to lend a hand.
We were ready to do what we had to, even though we weren't sure how we were going to manage getting sand down to the Stupa (one wheelbarrel holds 300lbs of sand, tough for a gal to maneuver, at least us gals). Norbu, who works Sunday evenings, had to leave, but brought a bunch of bags down to the Stupa, so we could work from that. As it turns out, Leigh and Richard joined us, making it much easier. Richard managed the wheelbarrel full of sand without a problem, and actually allowed us to finish the whole wall. Thanks Richard!
Everyone also got a chance to try the hose. It's tough work, unexpectedly tough. But it is addicting! Watching the paint dissolve in front of your eyes makes the aching muscles and itchy eyes (sand does make it up under that hood believe me) totally worth it. At first I wasn't sure I was going to be able to hang in there. After the first run of sand my arms were shaking with fatigue. But I quickly learned to use my body to brace the hose, and worked with my arms rather than my hands to hold the hose (it creates its own pressure upward, so you don't have to waste effort grasping it). After getting that technique down, I was able to go for several hours, and didn't need to stop, but wanted to share the experience with everyone there.
Tomorrow we'll be erecting the platform! That will be really cool, as it will give us access to the bumpa level. It will be hard labor, lifting all those panels up to the top of the throne, but we're glad to do it! We'll then work on rigging some kind of pulley system, so we can get the sandpot and sand up there. We've dreamed about a laddervader (it's a real word, we found out) that would run the sand up a ladder by machine, but our budget is tight, so we decide manpower is the way to go. : )
We've had folks stopping by just to check out the operation, so don't feel shy if you'd like to come and see it in person! If you just want some quiet time around the land, there are plenty of other Stupas to visit that won't have our dust and disruption distracting you. Everyone who has worked on them gets excited about them, they do possess an energy you can feel even if you have no idea what they are. It is real. You don't have to work or get dirty to enjoy them though! As you can see below, Namgyal brought his new pet cat down to circumambulate the Stupa.
Stupas bring benefit to any being that comes in contact with it, regardless of species, no strings attached, and no experience required. It happens when you just see an image of the Stupa, as you do on this page. So please do visit often, and share this experience with us. The benefits of seeing the Stupas are certain, even better to circumambulate them or make offerings to them, but just seeing them, remembering them, or touching them brings great benefit. They are here for you, whenever you need them!
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