Here's a close look at the peeling paint on the horizontal surfaces. You can also see the crumbling around the edges of the lotus petals. The paint is obviously oxidizing as well, and there are visible salts bubbling to the surface of the paint. Now this isn't a view you'd be privy to from the ground (taken from an extension ladder). This wear is not evident from the ground.

Howver, the discoloration, the cracks forming in the bumpa, and the knowledge of the relationship between paints and concrete combined to form the motivation to do all the Stupas, this season! Quite a big undertaking! But as you can see from these pages, we're well on our way!

It remains a challenge, and the biggest puzzles are yet to be solved. Migyur Dorje is 38 feet tall, the largest of all we've taken on. To add to the challenge, it sits high off the ground, making that 38 feet seem over 6 feet taller in some places. In addition, the ground around it isn't level. So you can see we're up for an interesting ride. David Parker (from TMC, a Kagyu Center in Frederick, Maryland) has offered to help us construct a platform, and the tentative plan is for him to come out this Thursday to help remove the one from the Enlightenment Stupa. We all work in the rain without a second thought, but not everyone does...so we'll see. : )

So that's the short version of this Stupa Project story! It is our goal and commitment to ensure these precious structures remain in the world for generations! Their immeasurable blessings are available to you right now! Every day! Whether their paint is stripped off, or they're surrounded by scaffolding and platforms, or they're still faded, cracked, and waiting for attention, their blessings remain undiluted. So please do come out to take advantage of this amazing opportunity! There are infinite objects in this world, and we in the west have the luxury of enjoying endless forms of entertainment, but there are very, very few true sources of such profound blessings! The Stupas don't care who you are, they don't care how you feel about them, or about us, they're here for you, every day, every night, always offering their blessings!

If seeing this blog inspires you to want to join us in this effort to repair them you are welcome to come and try it out! We'll walk you through every step, and if you don't like it, we won't complain. It is an offering to you, an opportunity to come out and spend 20 minutes, or an afternoon, contributing to something that is changing the world.

It is said that Stupas influence extends 100 miles around them, that would mean all the way to D.C.! They bring peace, healing and prosperity to those that encounter them, and to the land around them. We here are certain that by offering them our lives, our efforts and resources, we can amplify that power. We may feel like small, ordinary beings with little impact on the world, but the Buddha teaches our true nature is Enlightenment itself, and by working with the Stupas, our own Enlightenment is nurtured. The more of us that join in, think of the opportunity! They say Stupas are like spiritual vortexes, they magnify spiritual energy and power, they attract and support it. It may sound spooky, but look at us. We're no action heros. : ) We're just ordinary folks with the good fortune to recognize this precious opportunity, and the willingness to set aside our self concern for a while and labor for the good of all beings. No matter who you are, that includes you! All on these pages is offered for that purpose! Whether you live a thousand miles from Maryland and participate by watching this blog, or whether you actually are able to make it out to Poolesville and want to help us repair them or paint them, we'll do whatever we can to make it easy for you.

If that isn't miraculous for a bunch of ordinary people from many different backgrounds, I don't know what is. : ) Look over these pages, catch a glimpse of the people who've already made the choice to give it a try, and remember, you are always welcome, whether to join us in this amazing activity, or just to see these precious structures for yourself. And of course, this blog will continue to be here for all of you who cannot make it out to Poolesville, or even if you see no point in trying to. We'll be here online, making these offerings to you....