The cold and snows of late November have put last season's construction to a well-deserved rest for the winter after pouring the 6th throne. Recent accomplishments on the Garden project are impressive from every perspective, and, with greatest thanks to the volunteers, construction crews, statue workers, fundraisers and donors, we can look back on a meritorious and productive year.

Although the outdoor work is resting, David and Luke have kept the fires burning in the Buddha Barn in Arlee and have continued to haul cement and build statues, enough to bring the count close to 750. Steve is back in the mold-making studio, making more gyabyul molds for the auras, the Awakened Minds that stand behind the Buddhas. Many thanks to the sangha in Helena, who have been helping make these since last summer, providing a great start toward the 1,000 needed.

Additionally, statue carvers in Indonesia are busy carving 1,000 stupas from white volcanic stone. Meanwhile, the nuns of Rinpoche's Turquoise Leaf nunnery in Nepal are making and assembling the sogshings and gathering the blessing substances which will fill each stupa.

There is plenty to do as we wait for sunnier weather. Designs and details continue to be finalized on the many aspects of the Garden. Some of the plans for 2011 include continuing work on throne construction, starting to create the gardens, getting some of the infrastructure in place for power and water, and welcoming back Lama Sonam Tsering to continue work on the central figure, just to name a few.

We won't have long to wait before the outdoor work is resumed. Just this morning I watched a newborn baby calf get up onto his wobbly legs and take his first steps. Within minutes, he was jumping about; it looked like a dance of joy. Spring of the New Year is just around the corner. Donate to Ewam Garden of One Thousand Buddhas.

As the garden sleeps under a serene blanket of snow, we have an opportunity to reflect on the accomplishments of the last year and to thank all of you who helped us to raise a record amount of funding toward construction. At the beginning of last summer, we set off to raise money for construction with a $1.5 million dollar budget in hand and the news that His Holiness the Dalai Lama would come to Montana to consecrate the Garden of 1,000 Buddhas once it is completed.

In 2000, a humble group of Tulku Sang-ngag Rinpoche's students began to work with our teacher to take small steps toward the vision and inception of the garden. Throughout the past ten years, over $525,000 has been invested into the project. With the help of many open-hearted people from all over Montana and the world, we are pleased to report that $433,000 dollars was donated last year! We have many people to thank for this incredible success, including the huge effort by Ronnie and Mimi Colsen yielding approximately 150 Buddha Statue sponsorships, and we are well on our way to completing this profound Garden of peace.

The task ahead of us for this year is to continue the incredible momentum toward completing the Garden. With approximately $900,000 left to raise, we have been busy working this winter on our fundraising and construction plans. Several fundraising events are scheduled this year through June: in Helena, MT; Boise, ID; Santa Fe, NM; and in Sun Valley, ID. In addition, we are scouting out foundations and grant makers and working with our local Arlee Community Development Corporation to research potential public funds to assist with this project.

The blessings and benefits of the Garden of 1,000 Buddhas are multiple. In addition to the spiritual blessing that will touch the hearts and minds of all who visit the Garden for many generations to come, the cultural and economic benefits for our region in western Montana and for our state are many.  In the last year, we saw our local community benefit, as over 82 people and 10 small businesses were employed in the construction projects last summer. Last year the garden had several thousand visitors from all over the world. We anticipate that The Garden of 1,000 Buddhas will continue to host visitors for spiritual teachings, conferences and festivals dedicated to promoting both individual and world peace for many years to come. All are welcome to participate, as this Garden is open to people of all faiths and spiritual traditions. Please join us in our continued effort to complete this international project of peace. To get involved with our fundraising efforts -- and to help us pave the way for His Holiness the Dalai Lama's visit -- or to contribute to the Garden contact: Raquel Castellanos - development@ewam.org. Also check out our website for details of fund raising events near you!  www.ewambuddhagarden.org