ROOFING, GILDING, SNOWING

Today is Heruka Day, on which we celebrate the Tantric Deity Heruka, who is the principal Deity of Modern Kadampa Buddhism.

We mark this occasion with an update on the construction of the new Temple for World Peace at IKRC Grand Canyon in Arizona.

Like all traditional style modern Kadampa Temples, the design is based on the mandala of Buddha Heruka, and when the Temple is completed and blessed it will become actual Heruka’s Pure Land.

ROOF APPEARING
Here we see the construction team hard at work installing the roof decking, which is the preliminary layer of the roof. Later it will be covered with a magnificent copper roof.

The video also shows work continuing on the exterior metal stud framing.

These last two weeks there has been a lot of snow, which has slowed progress, but the team is optimistic about making up the time.

MEANWHILE IN THE ART STUDIO
Working visitors from Indianapolis, NYC, Washington, Montreal and Maryland are helping with gilding the vajras and lantern arms. So far four pairs of lantern arms have been completed. Work has also started on gilding the auspicious symbols.

It is such an object of rejoicing to witness Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche’s extraordinary vision appearing in this auspicious project.

Next update in two weeks.