December 09: It Takes a Village....

It takes a village to build a temple, and it takes a temple to create a village!Saturdays are busy days at the temple. Any hands are welcome. Come join us! These photos are of Nick, Allyson, Lama Pema, Lama Yeshe and and others.

Kathleen Meagher's reflections

Saturday morning after working on the site, I sat down outside on the cement foundation to rest my back on one of the huge round pillars. A bright sun warmed me in the chill air, and I was filled with feelings of gratitude and pleasure. How fortunate I am to be part of creating this building. As I looked to the east, the Cascades caped in snow, under an intense blue and sereen sky, I saw Tibet. Memories returned of the pilgrimage, almost 5 years ago, with lamas Pema and Yeshe. The similarities so striking; those vistas of mountains, prayer flags, the winds and birds. This Meditation Center is a pilgrimage for the sangha and the wider community. The paths that will find their way here, the transformations and blessings that will take place here, carrying far the dharma of compassion and wisdom. An enormous thank you to our lamas Pema and Yeshe for their courage, dedication and devotion, helping us all to bring a big aspiration into fulfillment. How like Tibet this all looks this morning. Tears came as I thought of us keeping alive the precious storehouse and practices of the dharma

Lama's and volunteers oil the new windows and doors at the center

Clay Colley's letter requesting volunteers for this workday

Dearest friends,
Isn't it always amazing that our Sat. get-togethers really do seem like a mini-party!!

Well let's do another one this Sat. at the usual time, 9:00 A.M. I'm hoping for decent weather so we can coat the remaining rafters on the front porches but if its too wet or cold we can work in the lower level where it is warm and apply Pro-fin oil to the window sashes and frames. Either way, I am planning on a full day of work and buying or bringing a lunch because we are now at a point where we can really be effective as painters for a time and save the Sangha some real $$ by doing this work as a team effort.

We are fortunate again this week to have Yeshe and or Pema attend our party . Also, our designer and very effective as a painter, Michaeldavid is also coming to help. I know we all have been seeing the effect we have as a work force and constantly amaze ourselves that we can so cheerfully accomplish so much with such an open heart. Now we will start to enter the finishing phases of our beautiful center and see the fruition of all we have been visualizing as a Sangha. What an incredible honor to be a part of this group of lovely people, thank you so much for your hard work.

Pardon me if you have suddenly become a part of my newly constructed e-mail list, but if you can think of someone else who would like to be on my list, please contact me.

Many blessings
Claymon

P.S.
If you have your favorite cut-in brush, please bring it !!

Windows installed

- Shrine room set up for a Tea

Lama Lodro visits KSC Nov 16, 09

Week of 11/10/09 Clear Creek Drive entrance

View from the second floor
















View from window on the second floor

Week of 11/2/09 Clear Creek Drive Entrance and Craftsmen at work

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Oct 24, 09 KSC Members and Friends & Lamas volunteer to work on the new center

Photo 1: Kathleen Meagher & Jan Wessler
Photo 2 & 3: Lama Pema, Kay Adrich, Alan Bowes sanding the rafter tails outside the lama's residents prior to staining.

Week of 10/24/09

Week of 10/12/09 Work underway on the 3rd floor

Week of 10/04/09 Our new shrine room

Michele Martin's reflections on the new center

As I regularly visit the new Buddhist temple to watch its progress, I often think about the history it represents. Of course it dates back to the Buddha, the man who learned and taught the art of sitting quietly until the mind finds peace, tranquility and compassion.

The Kagyu lineage of this temple dates back to Tibet over a thousand years ago. Through the centuries, the teachings of the Kagyu founders have passed from one teacher and continent to another. Our local teachers were trained in the Kagyu teachings under the direction of Venerable Lama Lodru Rinpoche of KDK center in San Francisco.

Much of the materials and labor that are going into the meditation center are donated. Fundraisers include so many volunteers. A true community of Buddhists and non-Buddhists have come together to create this sacred space. As history goes forward, students will continue studies in meditation, ethics and compassion, each trying to contribute toward creating individual and world peace.

Michele Martin

October 2, 2009. Lifting the beam onto the posts for the south porch.

On Friday, October 2nd, Bruce and Russell Sargent from Buckhorn Springs, along with Bruce's brother Tim Sargent and Clay Colley, lifted the final large portion of beam onto the posts for the south porch. The posts and beams were cut, dried and milled at Buckhorn Springs. Bruce and Russell have donated their skills and labor for the construction of this porch.

The dance of lifting and placing this beam was a joy and privilege to watch.... Lama Yeshe

Sept 26, 2009 KSC Board tours the building site (1)

- Clay Colley pointing out aspects of the woodwork

- Circle discussion with KSC Board and Lamas

Sept 26, 2009 KSC Board tours the building site (2)

September 28, 2009. The Lamas and architectural liaison Joyce Ward meet at the building site

Week of September 28, 2009. Carpenters are in the process of framing the 3rd floor.

Reflections on the New Center by David Teegarden

I have been a member of the KSC Sangha for about five years. When the idea of a new building was presented, I liked the idea, but was thinking that it would take us a long time, even ten years to get it going. I was happily surprised when we were able to buy land, and even more elated when we were able to start building. Almost every day I drive past the new center. I am so inspired see that we have a grounded place of our own. Having an authentic temple as the home for our Sangha and teachers reinforces my practice greatly. I can’t wait for us to practice there!

by David Teegarden

Week of 9/14/09 Progress on Hersey St. entrance, shrine room patio & framing on the lower level

Reflections on the new center by Alex Bizeau

As we build up our temple, one brick at a time, I jump inside with joy to see the fruits of our karma.

And yet, I remind myself, that our true Sangha exists in our heart/mind only.

Only there is it infinite and eternal, its doors forever open to see and feel dharma.

And yet, despite the apparent frailty of this material world, I thank God I am dreaming...

May we come together and dream the sangha of our heart/mind into existence.

May we come together to perceive generation, organization, and destruction, through the peace of the Buddha's teaching.

May we come together, and accept the blessing all awakened ones, existing perpetually within us.

One brick at a time, let us rebuild our temple, a home for all those who seek refuge.


Karma Gyeltsen Dorje

Poem: Mantra Cure by Sandra Pastorius

Mantra Cure

Sun shines hot through the open roof
KSC’s new meditation hall,
now under construction.

Huge beams above create lines of shade on floor below,
providing narrow places for me to stand,
tired, ready for cool, while hosing down
huge expanse of curing cement.

I begin to chant quietly, Om Mani Padme Hum…

Water skips and glides in wild delight,
as thirsty, gray cement glistens through
a covering of pure white cloth.
A simple bath for our just birthed floor.

Om Mani Padme Hum …

All poured, smoothed and freshly formed,
this underbelly will become a solid foundation
for Tibetan teachings, practices, meditations.

Om Mani Padme Hum …

I smile at all the spaciousness for cushions in this place
see us fall silent, still together.

Then I hear voices join in.
.
Om Mani Padme Hum
Fire cure.
Om Mani Padme Hum
Water cure.
Om Mani Padme Hum
Earth cure.
Om Mani Padme Hum
Breathe Here.

By Sandra Pastorius
8/22/2009

Sept 5, 09 Volunteers paint the center