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The Red Barn Dharma Hall: Prayer for the Swift Descent of the Great Master and the Three Father-Son Deities
Just west of the Buddha Hall, nestled among the trees, stands a structure with striking red exterior walls. In the past, this building was a renowned grain barn that had even won architectural awards. Today, it serves as a classroom for the monastery's monastics and a space for lay practitioners to engage in meditative practices.
The towering, mezzanine design of the second floor is highly reminiscent of a Dharma Hall in a Tibetan monastery. The Master envisions this space to one day house a three-meter-tall holy statue of the Great Master and the Three Father-Son Deities (Tsongkhapa and his two main disciples), along with large, magnificent Thangkas. This will establish it as a basis for generating merit (Field of Merit) for countless sentient beings.
We sincerely and single-mindedly pray for the swift descent and perpetual abiding of the Great Master and the Three Father-Son Deities in this sacred place.
Eastern White Pine, also known as Pinus strobus. Native to eastern North America, it is one of the tallest conifer trees in the region, often reaching heights of 50 to 60 meters. Its most recognizable feature is the five soft, slender needles in each bundle, with a bluish-green color. The Eastern White Pine is highly cold-tolerant and plays an important ecological role by stabilizing soil and providing food and shelter for birds and squirrels. Its wood is light, straight-grained, and easy to work with. Since colonial times, it has been valued for shipbuilding, construction, furniture, paper, and even musical instruments. Beyond its practical uses, this tree also carries cultural meaning. Among Native American tribes, it is called the “Tree of Peace,” symbolizing unity and protection. The Eastern White Pine truly stands as a forest giant with beauty, ecological value, and cultural significance.
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