Checked out the Auspicious Manifold Doorways Stupa the day after, and the repairs look and feel great! Norbu watered them (they need to be kept moist for 72 hours).

The real story today revolved around our Cathedral Stone order. I called this morning to find out if I could come pick up the materials (it saves on shipping, and they're located in Hanover, Maryland, which is about an hour away). During the course of the conversation, which initially was confusing (Sue kept telling me we need a certified installer for the M120, which we've been using with random volunteers!), it eventually came to light that we've been using the wrong mortar!!! I was horrified! At first I just didn't believe it, but when I got to the temple, and looked, Sue was right, we had M120. That was, for what Norbu and I could recall, what Chuck had recommended. But it turns out the M120 is a MARBLE repair mortar! The concrete thin set is M125! In all honesty, I wasn't too worried (well, maybe I was a little, I called Dawa, Ani Rene and Lisa to talk through my grief), but the truth is, even if it doesn't work out (like it fails this winter) at least I now know what to do. We now have clarity on the matter, and I ordered the correct thin set material today. So worst case scenerio, we'll be redoing one wall next spring.

It really brought home the simplicity of the path. Do whatever you can, and don't waste time fussing over what you can't change. Obviously we would never have used the M120 had we known it wasn't the right stuff. It was on there, hard as rock, and no getting it off now. So the only option is to move forward. It did give me some comfort to recall as well that within every Stupa is a lot of mantras referred to as the "repairing of any mistakes" mantra. A mantra specifically devoted to repairing any mistakes that were made in the building, filling or consecration of the Stupa. The guiding principle being that we do the very best we can, and mistakes are still going to happen. Don't get me wrong, I take this seriously, but it is the reality of sentient beings that we do goof occasionally. So I had a day to contemplate my view, my pride, my devotion. In the end, I knew I would do whatever it takes to make it right. The Stupas are so precious, such an immense source of blessing, whatever an ordinary being like myself can offer to them can only bring benefit! Even if it's much more time and effort than I planned, so be it! The experience only helped deepen my resolve to serve the Stupas without restraint until they are restored!