Turning a New Page for the Dharma: A Kongshan Temple Anecdote (Part 3)

Throughout the summer of 2023, the Teacher remained on the island, leading the monastic community to receive the lineages of Ornament for Clear Realization, Treatise on the Middle Way, and Treasury of Abhidharma from the two great mentors, Akha Rinpoche and Triba Rinpoche. After these teachings, the Teacher instructed everyone on how to integrate the studied scriptures with the Stages of the Path and personal physical and mental practice.

The Teacher dedicated nearly all their energy to the disciples, including the recording of the Lamrim broadcast and Calm Abiding/Special Insight teachings, as well as various large and small meetings. After this intense period of work, the initial plan was to arrange time for the Teacher to rest and recuperate at the end of the year before proceeding with the next schedule in Asia.

It was at this time that the Teacher heard that the New York lay practitioners had found several parcels of land to offer for the monastic community to build a monastery. The Teacher took this very seriously and enthusiastically, carefully reviewing every single blueprint. Ultimately, disregarding the physical hardship and overcoming every obstacle, the Teacher was single-mindedly determined to travel to New York in person.

The journey from Canada to New York was a long drive of more than ten hours. Upon arrival, the Teacher was out almost every day to view one or two locations, constantly moving outdoors in temperatures of five to six degrees Celsius, sometimes dropping to minus two degrees. Moreover, each location spanned hundreds of hectares, and the Teacher personally inspected every single piece of land before finally selecting the current Meditation Retreat Center and Kongshan Temple sites.

Reflecting on this process afterwards, the New York International Dharma Propagation Project, including Kongshan Temple and the Retreat Center, reveals the Teacher's profound wisdom and unwavering persistence, along with their total commitment of body and mind. From this example, one can glimpse the magnitude and vision of the virtuous mentor in establishing the Dharma.

We are deeply grateful to the virtuous mentor for guiding and navigating us through all our lives.