Migyur Dorje Stupa...this photo was taken last year. It shows the Stupa being utilized by visitors-that's what it's for! If you've been following the project for a while, you know we've saved this Stupa for last in our renovation.

We undertook the task of renovating all the Stupas (outdoors) on our property here at KPC Maryland, all in one season. A big job to be sure, but we've had lots of participation, and lots of good fortune, making it all seem like it's actually coming together now. We started out at the Stupa Park way back in March, and are now in the process of painting the Enlightenment Stupa! I heard from Cal Western Paints today, and they've shipped our order! That means we will have primer by next week. The Stupa Park has remained bare (we're removing ALL paint from the Stupas-big job like I said-) awaiting the arrival of the gold paint. First we needed to find a permeable alternative, then we needed to have a color chosen, then we needed to raise the funds, and finally we needed to connect with Jerry, our connection out in California (that's how far we had to go to find a permeable, tarnish resistant gold metallic) so we could actually place the order. Whew! That's finally done!

So now it's time to dig in and move the process along. We've got seven 55 gallon barrels of water sitting out at this site right now, waiting for the day we can get together to begin stripping. The Stupa is 38 feet tall, and I don't think that includes that several feet off the ground it sits! We're going to start by stripping the spire, so you can see that's going to require us all to be in good condition! Believe me, when you're up there it feels a lot bigger!

The current plan is to paint this weekend...though I was reminded about a mandatory meeting at work this Saturday, only 90 minutes long, but at 11 am, which will delay the start of the day. I'm hoping Norbu can take the lead for a few hours until I can get there, but he's not been feeling well, and still working really hard, so we'll see...No matter what I'll get out there to paint, but if we can get a few more folks out we can probably finish painting it on Saturday! If not, we'll get as far as we can and keep our eyes on the sky (need dry weather).

As I enter my usual invitation to come out to the Stupas I just wanted to remind all of you, the Migyur Dorje Stupa was built specifically to bring healing from illness (including mental). All Stupas bring healing, and Migyur Dorje has many potent blessings to offer, but the intended purpose was to bring healing to those suffering from illness. So if you're experiencing the suffering of health problems, it would be great to make the effort to come out to Migyur Dorje. Our plan (next phase, after this renovation phase) is to improve the road accessing it and rework the landscape to make it wheelchair accessible! This will take some time, effort and funding, but if you look over this blog you'll see we won't stop until it's accomplished. : ) It is accessible by a crude but drivable road (no need for 4 wheel drive, but on a wet day that would probably help) now, so come on out if you can. If someone at the temple is around, we've been known to drive visitors out to the Stupa if they aren't up to the walk (it's a beautiful walk). And for all those unable to make it to the temple at all, we'll share the Stupas with you here every day. According to the teachings, even images of the Stupas bring blessings!