"We are the lama’s children who work with concrete and steel—Everything is possible and nothing is real."
Written in concrete during the early years at Rigdzin Ling
The second pilgrimage to Iron Knot Ranch by Californians Was a working experience that will not easily be forgotten. For eight days we collectively offered our bodies, speech, and minds toward the building of a lha khang on the site consecrated by Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche this past spring. At that time Rinpoche hinted that he would return to consecrate the structure when it is erected. So it was with very deliberate intention that we arrived at the ranch, by the truckload,to set some auspicious wheels of interdependence in motion.
Once again, Lama Shenpen and the Iron Knot sangha had miraculous-ly prepared a feast of Portland cement,rebar, aggregate, and water—precious water. By the end of the week we had somehow managed to complete the concrete foundation and slab of the temple.
More than a few people noticed the tangible spirit of harmony amidst the flurry of constant, at times chaotic, activity. One ancient cement mixer nicknamed “the dinosaur,” always kept us on our toes. During the frequent breakdowns, when the momentum of pouring concrete was interrupted, we had to shift gears to accommodate the wet cement. We called this process “the animals getting out of its cage,” as no one individual could control what was going to happen next. One such occasion was when the floor of the gonla’s room collapsed into the storage space below. We Had to scramble with poles and braces to keep the rest of the forms in place, while trying to shore up the hole in the floor. At the same time we had to find safe places to put the new concrete,which had already been mixed. These kinds of unpredictable situations with their particular challenges and resolutions have made us aware of the fact that we are continually working under the vast umbrella of Chagdud Rinpoche Blessings. The experience of interacting with the sangha at Iron KnotRanch has truly been a wonderful and unique form of practice.
Rinpoche and Tony Styskal will draw this winter the final plans for the walls, windows, shrine, and roof of the structure in Brazil. We are already planning to return to the ranchin the spring of 2002 to complete the next phase of the temple, another magical manifestation of Chagdud Rinpoche activity that will benefit beings by providing a sacred space where we all can achieve the timeless state of buddhahood.
By Michael McLaughlin
Note: To view John Swearingen’s photos of these most recent Iron Knot Ranch developments, log on at http:// www.skillful-means.com/ironknot/ironknot.html
"We are the lama’s children who work with concrete and steel—Everything is possible and nothing is real."
Written in concrete during the early years at Rigdzin Ling
The second pilgrimage to Iron Knot Ranch by Californians Was a working experience that will not easily be forgotten. For eight days we collectively offered our bodies, speech, and minds toward the building of a lha khang on the site consecrated by Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche this past spring. At that time Rinpoche hinted that he would return to consecrate the structure when it is erected. So it was with very deliberate intention that we arrived at the ranch, by the truckload,to set some auspicious wheels of interdependence in motion.
Once again, Lama Shenpen and the Iron Knot sangha had miraculous-ly prepared a feast of Portland cement,rebar, aggregate, and water—precious water. By the end of the week we had somehow managed to complete the concrete foundation and slab of the temple.
More than a few people noticed the tangible spirit of harmony amidst the flurry of constant, at times chaotic, activity. One ancient cement mixer nicknamed “the dinosaur,” always kept us on our toes. During the frequent breakdowns, when the momentum of pouring concrete was interrupted, we had to shift gears to accommodate the wet cement. We called this process “the animals getting out of its cage,” as no one individual could control what was going to happen next. One such occasion was when the floor of the gonla’s room collapsed into the storage space below. We Had to scramble with poles and braces to keep the rest of the forms in place, while trying to shore up the hole in the floor. At the same time we had to find safe places to put the new concrete,which had already been mixed. These kinds of unpredictable situations with their particular challenges and resolutions have made us aware of the fact that we are continually working under the vast umbrella of Chagdud Rinpoche Blessings. The experience of interacting with the sangha at Iron KnotRanch has truly been a wonderful and unique form of practice.
Rinpoche and Tony Styskal will draw this winter the final plans for the walls, windows, shrine, and roof of the structure in Brazil. We are already planning to return to the ranchin the spring of 2002 to complete the next phase of the temple, another magical manifestation of Chagdud Rinpoche activity that will benefit beings by providing a sacred space where we all can achieve the timeless state of buddhahood.
By Michael McLaughlin
Note: To view John Swearingen’s photos of these most recent Iron Knot Ranch developments, log on at http:// www.skillful-means.com/ironknot/ironknot.html
"We are the lama’s children who work with concrete and steel—Everything is possible and nothing is real."
Written in concrete during the early years at Rigdzin Ling
The second pilgrimage to Iron Knot Ranch by Californians Was a working experience that will not easily be forgotten. For eight days we collectively offered our bodies, speech, and minds toward the building of a lha khang on the site consecrated by Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche this past spring. At that time Rinpoche hinted that he would return to consecrate the structure when it is erected. So it was with very deliberate intention that we arrived at the ranch, by the truckload,to set some auspicious wheels of interdependence in motion.
Once again, Lama Shenpen and the Iron Knot sangha had miraculous-ly prepared a feast of Portland cement,rebar, aggregate, and water—precious water. By the end of the week we had somehow managed to complete the concrete foundation and slab of the temple.
More than a few people noticed the tangible spirit of harmony amidst the flurry of constant, at times chaotic, activity. One ancient cement mixer nicknamed “the dinosaur,” always kept us on our toes. During the frequent breakdowns, when the momentum of pouring concrete was interrupted, we had to shift gears to accommodate the wet cement. We called this process “the animals getting out of its cage,” as no one individual could control what was going to happen next. One such occasion was when the floor of the gonla’s room collapsed into the storage space below. We Had to scramble with poles and braces to keep the rest of the forms in place, while trying to shore up the hole in the floor. At the same time we had to find safe places to put the new concrete,which had already been mixed. These kinds of unpredictable situations with their particular challenges and resolutions have made us aware of the fact that we are continually working under the vast umbrella of Chagdud Rinpoche Blessings. The experience of interacting with the sangha at Iron KnotRanch has truly been a wonderful and unique form of practice.
Rinpoche and Tony Styskal will draw this winter the final plans for the walls, windows, shrine, and roof of the structure in Brazil. We are already planning to return to the ranchin the spring of 2002 to complete the next phase of the temple, another magical manifestation of Chagdud Rinpoche activity that will benefit beings by providing a sacred space where we all can achieve the timeless state of buddhahood.
By Michael McLaughlin
Note: To view John Swearingen’s photos of these most recent Iron Knot Ranch developments, log on at http:// www.skillful-means.com/ironknot/ironknot.html
"We are the lama’s children who work with concrete and steel—Everything is possible and nothing is real."
Written in concrete during the early years at Rigdzin Ling
The second pilgrimage to Iron Knot Ranch by Californians Was a working experience that will not easily be forgotten. For eight days we collectively offered our bodies, speech, and minds toward the building of a lha khang on the site consecrated by Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche this past spring. At that time Rinpoche hinted that he would return to consecrate the structure when it is erected. So it was with very deliberate intention that we arrived at the ranch, by the truckload,to set some auspicious wheels of interdependence in motion.
Once again, Lama Shenpen and the Iron Knot sangha had miraculous-ly prepared a feast of Portland cement,rebar, aggregate, and water—precious water. By the end of the week we had somehow managed to complete the concrete foundation and slab of the temple.
More than a few people noticed the tangible spirit of harmony amidst the flurry of constant, at times chaotic, activity. One ancient cement mixer nicknamed “the dinosaur,” always kept us on our toes. During the frequent breakdowns, when the momentum of pouring concrete was interrupted, we had to shift gears to accommodate the wet cement. We called this process “the animals getting out of its cage,” as no one individual could control what was going to happen next. One such occasion was when the floor of the gonla’s room collapsed into the storage space below. We Had to scramble with poles and braces to keep the rest of the forms in place, while trying to shore up the hole in the floor. At the same time we had to find safe places to put the new concrete,which had already been mixed. These kinds of unpredictable situations with their particular challenges and resolutions have made us aware of the fact that we are continually working under the vast umbrella of Chagdud Rinpoche Blessings. The experience of interacting with the sangha at Iron KnotRanch has truly been a wonderful and unique form of practice.
Rinpoche and Tony Styskal will draw this winter the final plans for the walls, windows, shrine, and roof of the structure in Brazil. We are already planning to return to the ranchin the spring of 2002 to complete the next phase of the temple, another magical manifestation of Chagdud Rinpoche activity that will benefit beings by providing a sacred space where we all can achieve the timeless state of buddhahood.
By Michael McLaughlin
Note: To view John Swearingen’s photos of these most recent Iron Knot Ranch developments, log on at http:// www.skillful-means.com/ironknot/ironknot.html
"We are the lama’s children who work with concrete and steel—Everything is possible and nothing is real."
Written in concrete during the early years at Rigdzin Ling
The second pilgrimage to Iron Knot Ranch by Californians Was a working experience that will not easily be forgotten. For eight days we collectively offered our bodies, speech, and minds toward the building of a lha khang on the site consecrated by Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche this past spring. At that time Rinpoche hinted that he would return to consecrate the structure when it is erected. So it was with very deliberate intention that we arrived at the ranch, by the truckload,to set some auspicious wheels of interdependence in motion.
Once again, Lama Shenpen and the Iron Knot sangha had miraculous-ly prepared a feast of Portland cement,rebar, aggregate, and water—precious water. By the end of the week we had somehow managed to complete the concrete foundation and slab of the temple.
More than a few people noticed the tangible spirit of harmony amidst the flurry of constant, at times chaotic, activity. One ancient cement mixer nicknamed “the dinosaur,” always kept us on our toes. During the frequent breakdowns, when the momentum of pouring concrete was interrupted, we had to shift gears to accommodate the wet cement. We called this process “the animals getting out of its cage,” as no one individual could control what was going to happen next. One such occasion was when the floor of the gonla’s room collapsed into the storage space below. We Had to scramble with poles and braces to keep the rest of the forms in place, while trying to shore up the hole in the floor. At the same time we had to find safe places to put the new concrete,which had already been mixed. These kinds of unpredictable situations with their particular challenges and resolutions have made us aware of the fact that we are continually working under the vast umbrella of Chagdud Rinpoche Blessings. The experience of interacting with the sangha at Iron KnotRanch has truly been a wonderful and unique form of practice.
Rinpoche and Tony Styskal will draw this winter the final plans for the walls, windows, shrine, and roof of the structure in Brazil. We are already planning to return to the ranchin the spring of 2002 to complete the next phase of the temple, another magical manifestation of Chagdud Rinpoche activity that will benefit beings by providing a sacred space where we all can achieve the timeless state of buddhahood.
By Michael McLaughlin
Note: To view John Swearingen’s photos of these most recent Iron Knot Ranch developments, log on at http:// www.skillful-means.com/ironknot/ironknot.html
