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To escape the fumes from the paint, the dust from construction, and the 100+ degree heat, we took a field trip to the mountains only to dicover that the smoke was so overpowering that we could not stay in Kings Canyon. This was the first day that Grant’s Grove (shown above) had even been open to tourists. The historic lodge at Kings Canyon had burned a few days ago and most parts of the park were still off limits. However, ...

A-lan Ward returned to the temple to introduce her mother, nice, and grand-niece from China to the Holy Vajra Poles. The niece, Li Dong Mei, is shown here explaining her wonderful experience with the poles. Everyone seems to experience them differently, but most receive a blessing.

The rainbow beings appeared again as we watered the trees and roses this morning. They seem to be everywhere. With triple digit temperatures still the norm in Fresno area, it was good news when the new HVAC system was installed this week. The old unit that heated and cooled half the Buddha Hall, the library, office, the abbot’s room, and Green Tara Chapel had been broken for over a year. A new unit was raised on to the roof and ...

Judy Zhang adjusts the coverings over the buddha statues after they are moved to the altar in the Buddha Hall. They will not be uncovered until they are consecrated next year. This week Charlie and his crew finished the altar. This spring the temple’s Bodi tree died back, but it is now lush and green again.

The entrance porch is finished except for the stucco, which David is prepping so as to finish soon, maybe next week. Two new cats moved in to take out the old pavement and broken walkways and grade the front. The rainbow folks were back to check out what was happening.

The permits were finally granted so that work could continue on remodeling the temple and adding the entrance porch and new bathrooms. The new porch is done and shown above except for painting, shingles, and plinths. The porch itself was painted this week and the front door was painted a light gold. The plinths don’t go on until the concrete work is done, which should happen after the stucco, which will be when it happens. The stucco contractor is booked. Need one more inspection before the ...

Reba Jinbo and Uma now have five peachicks in addition to the fifteen or so wild adult peafowl that have adopted them. This plus a flock of wild turkeys and their young and many other wild and not so wild creatures make visiting their delightful home a very interesting experience. The animals know that they will be well fed and loved at this location. How many peafowl can you count in the above photo? Although the peacocks have brightly colored ...

The Holy Vajra Poles quaked and pulsated for the twenty plus Chnese visitors who arrived after midnight and again the next morning when they returned. Part of the group  joined the morning devotional service at 6:30 am.

Other groups came from Sichuan, Shanxi, and Shandong Provinces; Taiwan; Thailand; and Sacramento, California and experienced the quaking Holy Vajra Poles. One small group found the poles shaking quite fiercely the minute they appearred before them.

Disciples came from Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, and all over California to listen to preliminary English translations of discourses given by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III in 2008 on a trip to the East Coast; meditate; enjoy good vegetarian food and company; and help clean the temple.