You may recall that my Buddhist temple was shut down for mandatory renovations last March. We were allowed to open just the prayer room come September.
I was thrilled.
The temple's struggling. Because we now have just one room (and the grounds) to show people, donations have fallen off. It isn't the same experience anymore.
It doesn't help that our gift store, which was a destination shop for the Buddhist community throughout the region, has been completely shut down. I miss it, really, the tinkling music or recorded Buddhist chants as you came in through the front door of the temple, the warm, welcoming atmosphere, and bright Tibetan colors. I want to buy my incense from them and can't.
I miss the library and solarium. People used to be able to come in and browse, hang out and read a book while friends prayed. That's where the non-Buddhists, dragged here by family, used to go and pass a peaceful hour. The solarium had comfortable couches and tea available, with friendly members hanging out, kids stretching over the coffee table to snack on the abundant food offerings. We always had food everywhere. It was active and lively, rather loud on Sundays, with a crowd shuffling through to the Sunday lunch.
Now a sign reminds us that the library's cordoned off, the solarium off-limits.
The Dharma room you can only peer at through windows. It was a peaceful oasis with it's altars, large brass statues, and an exotic mandala, where teachings were held Sundays and Fridays. That's where I had my Tibetan class. The french doors are closed now, and the room looks abandoned.
What is there for people to see?
Of course donations have fallen off. It's sad and dispiriting to see us shut down.
The community room that hosted lunch and activities throughout the week -- the bagged lunches for the homeless we give for Manna Foods to distribute, the Food Bank -- is now sealed off and used for storage. And the prayer room, our only open room, is crowded with all the business of the temple: the prayer chart, the food offerings that used to be out for the kids, the cushions piled up. Simple things like folding chairs, we have no place to put them. Or we did, but those parts are shut down. So they're all over the place.
I don't know what to do. I'm going forward, finishing my career change so I can take up more of the slack. I'm making toys to sell for the Holiday Bazaar.
They won't bring in much, but heck, most of the donations we received were small, too. I keep running into people who've been here, who feel a strong connection even though they aren't members. People like that.
We need donors. Even small ones:
http://give2max.razoo.com/story/Kpc-RenovationOther things:
If you have handmade items you'd be willing for me to sell in the Holiday Bazaar alongside my stuffed toys, that would be great.
Also, if you know any vendors, or are a vendor (specially of craft items) -- we need more for the Holiday Bazaar.
Here's the vendor application.
Anyone who helps will be sent a nice thank you card and is very much appreciated.
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