Things in Dhagpo continue at a record setting pace - movement is all over and the larger public spaces have begun to take their presentation form, readying for the billowing crowds and excited public that will soon take over the still quiet present environment. The big tent is being prepared, a brand new shrine has been constructed for the Institute, tables and chairs in the thousands are flooding in and being arranged, new cabling and wires installed, computers and TV’s setup for entertaining, engaging and informing our new guests during their stay with us here, the great - crazy transformation of Dhagpo is in full swing.
All the while the ritual and puja objects are being prepared in the office next to mine, tormas of all sizes and every color imaginable, carefully and skillfully shaped, crafted and adorned with detail by our amazing team from Le Bost, they are thankfully here to perform these tasks as only they can. I love watching tormas being made; from such a simple set of basic ingredients mixed with amazing amounts of skill, patience, persistent fortitude and conviction - comes these incredible objects full of life and color. I have been lucky enough to witness these creations all over the world, from many different teams, and the outcome and final product is always such a dazzling surprise, always so much more amazing and powerful in person, difficult to photograph to capture their every small detail. These particular tormas are especially for Karmapa, though they are all crafted with care, these seem to glow extra radiantly, one larger one standing alone on the table with the summer sunlight coming in the open window behind, I feel like I am photographing a subject of fine art - and nothing less.
Inside the institute prayer and mantra rolls are being prepared to be put into the statue, hundreds and hundreds, maybe thousands of them, covering several tables in high stacks of our beloved red, blue, white, yellow and green, the gathered group effort of so many, a fine symbol of a community brought together with a mass combined effort. There are piles in every direction, a colorful rainbow of Dharma tradition and history, blessing and dedication are very present as I am in awe of the work and time that has gone into preparing this great feat. Once again the team from Bost is leading the way, their knowledge and understanding of things precious such as this is unmatched and unequaled. Starting tomorrow a grand accumulation puja will be held in Dhagpo each day for three days, ending with the grand blessing of the statue and its charged contents by Karmapa himself. Under another brilliant blue, cloudless sky Dhagpo’s transformation continues, each hour more and more changes and we begin to see the anticipation and excitement on everyone’s faces growing in tandem as well. In just a few days Karmapa will arrive, the event will begin, with the transformation and preparations complete, the accumulations will continue on until the final moment where we will see our treasured statue filled and complete, closed and prepared, blessed and charged, ready to take its rightful place on our shrine for all time to come, a testament to the great history and great forthcoming future of Dhagpo Kagyu Ling and its worldwide Dharma family.
