Prayers answered...

My sister, Mary, called me Wed 7/18/07 (Chokur Duchen) to ask for prayers for her friend that is pregnant with her first child. They had run some tests, and they were indicating a severe genetic disorder with multiple heart, brain, and other organ anomalies that would end with a very short life. Of course the family was very concerned, wondering how all of this would be, contemplating bringing this new life into the world, only to have to witness the suffering, and very short life, the anticipation was almost unbearable. I offered Mary some very special dudsti ( Buddhist holy water) and told her we would go make prayers for her and the baby at the stupa that day. She was seeing the specialist in Phoenix on Thurs, so we figured the more merit, the better. Then, late in the afternoon on Wed, the Amitaba prayer CDs arrived that we'd been waiting for over 2 weeks to arrive. I called Mary right away to get a copy to her friend to listen to on Chokur Duchen, feeling that it was so important for her and the unborn babe to get Jetsunma's blessing on that auspicious day, before she was to see the doc the next day who would seal their fates. She took the CD, grateful for all the prayers ( we'd put her in the prayer book too) and went home to listen quietly, and let the blessings flow through her to the unborn babe from Jetsunma's amazing voice. She said she could feel a holy blessing flowing through her, and she became calm. We did a large tsog, and then went back to the stupa to offer more prayers. The next day, the fear was intense again, contemplating the fate of her baby, and .... after the specialist did more tests....he had surprising news- the baby is perfect!!!! No sign of any of the grim prognosis that she'd been given just a few days before, and they found out they are having a beautiful, healthy, baby boy. Needless to say, she is ecstatic, and so grateful for all of the prayers and blessings that she feels have come her way, and saved her unborn boy! She called right away to share her miracle story. Thankyou, Jetsunma, once again, for your continuous river of love and compassion. Thankyou for the path, and the stupa. May your songs of wisdom nectar be heard throughout space and time! May all beings equal to space be benefitted by your enlightened activity! May your light of Dharma shine the way to awakening for all!

Hawaiian connection

at the stupa this evening, I met Liz and John, sedona natives who were making there first visit to the stupa, and John's uncle Chez, who lives in Hawaii, and had just been to a huge teaching event by the Dalai Lama of approx 5000 people. He was very excited to see the stupa, and remarked on the unusual coloring ( sedona red rock ) We talked for quite awhile about buddhism in general, as well as KPC's current projects and upcoming events, and they were all so glad that a place of such peace and beauty was here for everyone to enjoy, and use to amplify their prayers. They said they'd be back again soon.

Tell Us Your Story!

We are fortunate to have many people share their experiences at the stupa with us - either in person or in the pages of our guest book or via e-mail. Do you have a story you would like to share? Then post it in the comments below. We'd love to hear from you!

Prayer Flags available through the Stupa and Temple Project

The KPC Stupa and Temple project is a long term activity to build a temple on the stupa land in Sedona, Arizona. Contributions, large and small, for this activity are most welcome.

One very good way to make a connection tp this activity is to purchase prayer flags from the Stupa and Temple project. We have rolls of 25 flags for $25.00

Please contact Claire to purchase rolls of prayer flags. Her number is 928-203-0815.

Prayer Flags were hung last Saturday

Last Saturday was a beautiful Sedona morning. There is always a breeze at the Amitabha Stupa and last Saturday it helped move some already warm air as we sat down to offer prayer flags for Jetsunma's long life and the end of suffering for all sentient beings.

When we started the Riwo Sang Chod practice, the breeze really picked up. Thinking about it, more often than not, like almost always in my memory, when we call on Guru Rinpoche while at the Stupa, through chanting the Seven Line Prayer which preceeds all of our activities, the wind picks up. One day it nearly blew over a tsog table! Saturday morning was just another such reminder of this teaching. Our teachers tell us that when we call on Guru Rinpoche he will be there. That is enough of an explanation. The wind is just a nice reminder of this teaching.

KPC's effort to engage the Sedona community in this offering went pretty well. Twenty-four sponsors in all now have a personal prayer being "sent out on the breeze" on an individual flag. In addition the community and sangha members hung an additional 9 rolls of prayer flags were hung. Several sangha members were there and three individuals from the Sedona community came to help hang flags. They did a great job and the stupa site looks beautiful with bright new flags flapping next to ones that have been providing blessings for months now.

We have already started talking about trying to do this two or three times a year.

Shanti's prayers answered

Shanti is a sweet, beautiful chow-mix dog that was first rescued from a reservation some 9 yrs ago. She has been a part of our collective family since then, even traveling to MD for some time before coming back to Sedona some years ago. Kathleen is now her "mom" and she and Shanti are frequent fixtures at the stupa and on the land, caretaking all of it on a daily basis. A few weeks ago Shanti had a visit to the vet who discovered a large tumor that he was very concerned about, and recommended surgery. Kathleen immediately notified Jetsunma, put her in the prayer request book, and took her to the stupa daily to help to pacify any negative outcomes. Shanti even began to lead the circumambulations around the stupa, when usually she prefers to sit and observe others making their prayers. The morning of the surgery, Shanti was prepped and ready, but "amazingly" the vet could not find any traces of the large, worrisome tumor! He was shocked, but could not find any reason to continue as the tumor had disappeared! Needless to say, Shanti and Kathleen were overjoyed that the surgery was cancelled as Shanti is a "mature woman" and recovery does not get any easier the older we get. Miracles do continue to occur, right here in our very own backyard due to the supreme kindness of Jetsunma and the amazing jewel of the Amitaba stupa!