Our unwritten rule is that whoever makes the sacrifice of applying the stripper (it smells and blows in your face) gets to relax while the ground person cleans the pump...today Norbu got to clean the pump... : ) 

Here it is after we applied it...we let it cook a while. You can see in the photo it has already started to absorb into the paint (the dark spots), but much was still on the surface. The stripper soaks through the paint down to the concrete where it stops (doesn't harm the substrate) and begins to bubble. That action pushes the paint off the surface, making it really easy to get off... 

After a quick trip to get some cold drinks and snacks, we got right to power washing. Way back in March when we started we had to watch the weather to see if it was going to freeze overnight when we applied the stripper, as we would apply one day and remove the next. Back then, with days barely getting to 50 degrees, the chemical was slow to work. Now, with days in the mid to upper 80s, we have to stay on it or it'll dry back on! 

Today I let Norbu have a break from the physical labor. He got to hang out with my camera while I spent the afternoon power washing. It was fun up there! 

Here's a look at paint flying off the Stupa. The stripper works really well, causing the paint to bubble up and for the most part come right off.. 

You can see it takes a lot of water to get this job done...which did turn out to be a problem today... 

It was obvious...we didn't have enough water...this chemical we use to strip the paint is water based, and evaporates. You can see from the photos it does a great job, but if allowed to dry the paint just sticks back on. Once we apply we have to remove. Norbu hopped in his truck to see what he could do. We hoped we might catch Tashi Dorje, who has a truck..but no luck. So Norbu, devoted as always to the Stupas, took the extreme risk of hauling water in his truck (which has a rusted frame and is missing a leaf spring). It worked out okay, thankfully, but not something either of us wants to see done again. Fortunately, his efforts did allow us to finish the power washing...  

Here it is at the end of the day. Making progress little by little...I return to work tomorrow, but will be back out on Thursday to carry on! We're not sure how we'll get the water stocked...that'll be the big challenge Thursday. Without it, we can't do much. Norbu used his truck today with tremendous reluctance. If you have a truck and are willing to spend an hour or so hauling water let us know!

Though it's going slower than we hoped (what else is new) it is going, and we could be on to painting next week!

The days have been gorgeous lately...weird for Maryland...so if you're at all inclined do come on out and spend some time at the Stupas! The weather is beautiful, and we'll be taking the day off tomorrow (so no spray or chemicals to contend with). Even as we restore them, the Stupas continue to bring their amazing blessings into the world. They remain a source of peace and healing. During these difficult times, with such great suffering in the world, they offer a way to make a difference, a place to offer prayers, to make offerings, a place to connect with Enlightened Wisdom in form. This applies to non-Buddhists as well as Buddhists, no belief system required. We are working hard to keep them here for generations to come, for all beings without exception.

September 5th...Practice...

This photo is from last Saturday, the last day we worked on the Stupa itself. Sunday, as you can see below, we just ran water to the site.

Here Lisa is cleaning up the debris which fell from the bumpa as we stripped. We'll be back out tomorrow to continue the process.

Amber, our faithful crew member, has gotten to the point she can't do any more. She's set to give birth in less than two weeks, so your prayers for her strong health and that of her new baby are welcome!

So we'll be playing it by ear the rest of the week, in terms of finding a way to get water to the site. We still have KTs truck, and we might see if Tashi Dorje would be willing...No worries, we'll get it done!

Today I was suppose to work, but was canceled (overstaffed--much to my benefit!), so I spent the day in practice and prayer. A nice break from the activity of working on the Stupas (read: refreshed and ready to go tomorrow!). It gave a chance to really contemplate the situation in the Gulf Coast, and of all beings caught in the snare of suffering.

The temple was active today with many visitors taking advantage of the holiday to come out and spend some time with the Stupas, and in the temple itself. This is, after all, what the Stupas are here for. They are here to bring healing, peace and benefit to beings. By offering your prayers and aspirations for the benefit of others, you can share that benefit with countless beings. In this difficult time of horrible suffering and uncertainty, rest assured the Stupas are here for you, always. As I've said many times, no need to be Buddhist, religious, or even know any "prayer" at all. Your wish that suffering will cease is enough. So do come out and take advantage of these precious objects of refuge. They are extremely rare in this country, (though more are being built all the time!), so if you're in the area do come by! And if not, we'll keep them here online for you!

September 4th...Hauling water...

The temple has been busy with additional practices, prayers and planning in response to the amazing tragedy in the Gulf Coast. As a focal point of our spiritual community (one totally open to all, no affiliations required!) the Stupas remain a priority through this difficult time. They are an offering to the world, and they are power houses of spiritual power, bringing benefit and healing to all those they come into contact with, but those benefits can be extended to all those suffering, when that compassionate intention forms the root of one's motivation. Thus, they are especially useful during such difficult times....So we kept up the momentum on the Stupa Restoration today.

Here it is, Gabriels' truck. It's brand new, and he courageously offered its services to the Stupas! If you think it looks huge, it is! He did call ahead to make sure we needed it, as gas prices are outrageous, and it has an appetite. Faithfully he brought it though, and we put it to work...

First thing we had to do was pick up the empty barrels... 

Gabriel felt confident we could fit all the barrels full of water in his truck at once! That would save us making the usual several trips...so we went for it. He waited at the truck with me a while, but when it was clear it would take a loooong time for the barrels to fill he went inside to sit in on a teaching while I manned the barrels. He's a new student, so he's eager to learn every chance he can... 

At first it was Gabriel, Keleigh and myself transferring the water...Keleigh was certainly not dressed for the job (though willing to jump in!). A group of Tibetans visiting the temple came up to the Stupa while we were working and offered to help, so us ladies stood out of the way... 

There was an enthusiasm factor going, so not all the water made it into the barrels, but every one had fun! The Tibetans had come to the temple expecting a Lama from Bhutan would be teaching (had been scheduled waaay in advance, and he canceled last month...too late to remove it from Snow Lion's newsletter). Gabriel's eager to come back and do more next week! 

Thus, thanks to Gabriels' huge truck, it was a short effort today. I toured the NYD Stupa with Keleigh, who may be interested in helping out with it. Her schedule is tight though, so we'll see...What was determined from looking at it now is that there will be a landscaping need after we finish. Like the small Stupas in the Stupa Park, the mound is sunken down.

I ended my time at the temple with a few moments to contemplate the amazing nature of these sacred structures. It never ceases to inspire me, the way they draw folks into their benevolent influence. Folks come from everywhere to help out on them.

Of course, you don't have to help out to visit them! All the work we're doing is so they will remain in the world for generations to come, so any and all beings can have access to their immense blessings! The Stupas exist in the open air, outdoors unfenced because they are open to all without restraint. No need to be Buddhist, or even spiritual, to benefit from them. So come on out and see them for yourself...you won't regret it!

The Stupas are always beneficial, but as a place where prayers for the benefit of others is magnified, they're role during this time of great suffering and uncertainty in the Gulf Coast is even more essential. They are a place where you can come, circumambulate and say prayers (whatever faith you are, it's the compassionate intention that counts!) for those suffering in the chaos left in Katrina's wake, and you can be sure those prayers will make a difference! In addition, if you come out to the temple you'll be surrounded by others motivated by compassion for the victims of that tragic storm. We're doing extra group practices every day for those suffering down south, and you're welcome to sit in if you like (don't worry, we won't brand you!), or just come spend some time quietly in this place of refuge. And for all who just can't get out to Poolesville, this blog will keep them close to you...

September 3rd...Purification...

Today Lisa joined me to work on the stripping, so it was just us gals. Norbu was working, but did have time to haul the gear over in his truck before heading out. Lisa's been working hard lately with her family and job, so hasn't had a chance to get out for a few weeks, so she was eager to get back into it...

Much to our dismay, shortly after turning it on, our sprayer started acting up again! It just wasn't drawing any chemical into it! Norbu is working today, but fortunately we do have other resources... 

Chuck was at the temple today to do the Vajrasattva Practice, which was going on all day. He was in the prayer room practicing, but when we called asking for tools and advice he came right up...We went straight back to the location of the problem as we worked it out yesterday and couldn't see anything wrong...but after some tinkering it did start to work again! Chuck thinks there is debris being drawn in through the filter, and clogging the piston...in any case, it worked!' 

After two days, and hours of tinkering with the sprayer, it finally worked. It took all of 30 minutes to finally get the stripper applied. We noticed it was beginning to do it's stuff quickly, so we abandoned our previous plan to go assess the Stupa Park, and just made a quick run to get some cold beverages and visit the facilities before getting up there to remove... 

Finally!! We were able to start removing paint! You can see it was a gorgeous day...one of those very rare "low humidity" days here in Maryland...