Last Saturday a strong gathering of supporters donated their labor to clean up the yard of the Vihara. Before they began work, the yard looked unkempt. All morning and in the afternoon, children and adults alike contributed many hours of hard work: pruning, mowing tall grass, weeding, removing a large dead shrub and a thick tree stump from a flower bed, cutting tree limbs hanging over the fence, planting potted flowers, removing areas of grass to create new flower beds (then tilling, mixing in potting soil, and planting flower seeds)...
They beautified this dwelling. In this way, covered with sweat and gardening debris, supporters paid homage to the Three Jewels of Buddha Dhamma and Sangha: for here, the Buddha is served daily, not only through puja, but through transmission of his precious teaching; here --serving as an oasis of truth amid a sea of delusion and materialism-- the true Dhamma is taught and studied; here, the ordained Sangha resides.
Here at Carolina Buddhist Vihara, at this altar, many American people have formally taken Refuge and precepts for the first time, and many more non-Buddhist visitors have learned basic Buddhism and embraced the logic of keeping virtue (sila). Buddhist people come here to renew their loyalty to the Triple Gem and sila, for uplift and encouragement, and to offer support to Sangha. Here, too, children from Buddhist families begin to understand their parents' enthusiasm for the religion of their home country, and, despite elsewhere encountering negative influences, become convinced to develop good qualities. Now, after the work done on Saturday, the outer appearance of the Vihara reflects more the holy qualities that the Vihara represents.
Sadhu to our good workers! Well done! See below for a link to some photos (with apologies to those who participated but whose photos we lack, including Sam, Ruth and Marc).
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