Holy Heavenly Lake April 6 Spring Landscape Maintenance Activity

April 6 brought clear skies and fresh air after the spring rains with vibrant greenery full of life. It was the perfect time for the annual spring pruning and maintenance! Early in the morning, members of the fourfold assembly gathered by the lakeside. One group focused on trimming and caring for the trees and branches, while another group began constructing a temporary lotus nursery. Lotuses require division and propagation around June each year. We hope that this nursery will allow for more rhizome propagation. This is a brand-new experimental effort. Let’s wait and see how it turns out!



Visit of Rinpoche Zhaxi Zhuoma from Holy Vajrasana Temple

On April 3, Rinpoche Zhaxi Zhuoma from Holy Vajrasana Temple visited Holy Heavenly Lake to prepare for the relaunch of the English Dharma study program at the Buddhist Town, scheduled to begin in mid-June. This is truly wonderful news for local individuals who wish to learn the Dharma. We are deeply grateful to Rinpoche for undertaking the journey and for her tireless efforts to benefit English-speaking practitioners!



Ongoing Communication with the City

The preparation of supplemental documentation for the infrastructure planning and design of the Phase 1 projects, along with ongoing meetings with the city government, have been progressing tirelessly, day and night. On April 16, a major meeting was held at City Hall with 16 attendees, including the city manager and heads of various departments. Disappointingly, many new and existing city officials seemed unaware of much of the studies previously submitted regarding the project. During the meeting, Buddhist Town’s legal team, lead architect, and engineers responded to each issue with detailed reports and drawings. The good news is that following the meeting, city officials showed a notable shift in attitude. Three follow-up meetings were held to focus on three key issues. In June, supplemental documents will be submitted based on the agreements negotiated. Throughout this process, we have faced biases, misunderstandings, and skepticism — truly disheartening. Perhaps it is hard for some to believe that any project could exist without the motive of any financial gain. But we remain steadfast in our original aspiration and have reassured the city that we are here to build something beautiful for all to share and enjoy — this is our mission and our goal, and we will not walk away. We are here to stay!



Preparations underway for Colorful June Events at Holy Heavenly Lake

This year’s annual gathering events will begin on the afternoon of June 3. Starting at 5:00 PM, there will be an outdoor BBQ, followed at 7:30 PM by a meditation session led by Zhengda Jiaozun, lasting approximately one hour. Camping is welcome that evening for those who register in advance. On June 4, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, a Wiser Friendship Tournament will take place, alongside a full-day bazaar. Beginning at noon, a panel discussion series and exhibition will be held, featuring three themed discussions: 1) Introduction to the development of Buddhist Town; 2) Buddhist Town’s online activity & outreach programs 3) Member-led charitable and relief initiatives. At 4:30 PM, participants will gather to pray for world peace and release lotus prayer lanterns. Every effort and event is rooted in our mission to benefit all beings — may there be peace on earth, may disasters be dispelled, and may minds be awakened toward a harmonious and compassionate world. We welcome people of all races, backgrounds, and beliefs to join us in building a future of equanimity and mutual support.

For additional resources or information, please visit Buddhist Town Website: https://www.buddhisttown.com