It was such a blast running around, slipping and sliding while trying to capture all of the precious moments to film. Climbing up and down the Stupa as Ole installed the new Buddha statue and the tree of life, feeling Rinpoche’s huge smile down in the tent radiating outwards to all beings, all the while gazing out over the beautiful Lake Baikal under torrid weather as the train went whistling by. The rain simply wouldn’t let up - but I’m glad for it. It made it that much more special. I was soaked by the end, muddy to the nines, but I couldn’t possibly be happier. I spent my day with my family, standing there on this tiny platform, hearing the cheers and whoops from down below, as the final piece of the Stupa was installed. I saw flowers covering the muddy earth and pure joy on my friend’s faces. This is what life is all about. Way out in the middle of nowhere building this beautiful structure that will serve as a testament of devotion, a symbol of what is possible if we work together, and a literal rain of inspiration for generations to come. I will forever remember the day when under no circumstances would we let up or slow down, but with the Kagyu spirit in all of us we would come together and get the job done!
Lama Ole Nydahl Maniwa Lama Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche
