New Photos and Latest News

Hi Everyone,

My name is Bliss and this is my first blog post. If you go to the DM flickr site that Evan has been maintaining over the years, you'll see that I've posted 100+ photos from the last three terms. I'll work on titling them and adding captions soon. Also, if any of you have photos from DM that you'd like to share, I would love to post them.

So what's new?

Building: So far we have two retreat cabins that are in the final stages of completion: the Stumpf's place and Dharma Megha. Jame's and Lisette's cabin is well under way, with the framing and roof completed. Ven. Robbie Funk's foundation has been poured and the earthbags are being laid. Arie and Dvora's foundation has begun. The Lama Dome has been beautifully plastered. Bill McMichael's, Ben and Kendra's, and my (Bliss's) pads have been leveled and septics have been installed. Several roads have gone in and more are on the way. The waterlines are slowly but surely being laid and buried. The Kali Shrine is underway. Things are looking good. I'll post photos of the various projects soon.

Term 16: It was eventful start to the final year of DM as we know it. There was an ordination ceremony where Ernie Jones (now Ven. Chandra Prabha) received novice monk's vows, Mercedes Bahleda received lifetime laywoman's vows, and Ven. Marut, Ven. Marie, Ven. Gyelse, and Ven. Nyingpo all received their full ordination vows. For the final 10 days of the term the Tantra students stayed on the land for a retreat-like initiation.

Other than the big events, there was the usual rockin debate ground, some great new courses, a lot of music, some hard work days, a much needed mid-term party in Wilcox and a lot of work all aimed at getting those who want to into three-year retreat.