Dear Buddhist Town property owners, members, and friends, greetings!

On October 26th and 27th, we gathered for a camping event at Holy Heavenly Lake. Though the desert weather can be unpredictable, the day surprised us with clear blue skies, warm sunshine, and a gentle breeze caressing the lush meadows. Wild ducks and geese lazily glazed the tranquil lake. Could there be a better place to spend a warm fall weekend afternoon at a perfect 78°F? As some people began pitching the tents and firing up the charcoal, others skewered delicious food, arranged the campsite, and built a campfire. Tents of all shapes and sizes lined the lakeshore, inviting curious visits. Kids couldn’t wait to toast marshmallows over the new campfire. Brother Wesley’s charcoaled skewers and grilled corn spiced with his custom sauce were bursting with irresistible smells that vanished before reaching the table. Sister Que’s steaming soup of homemade noodles and Sister Binbin’s trays of custard tarts became instant targets. As the evening set in, laughter and chatting filled the lakeside, bringing all together in warm joy.

As night deepened, the campfire grew brighter. Pleasantly full and relaxed, everyone gathered around the campfire, sharing thoughts of the future endeavors at Holy Heavenly Lake. There was a strong but indescribable sense of bliss and blessing that everyone agreed should be made accessible for more people to come and experience. No preaching, no criticism, no disputes—everyone set aside any differences and sat around the campfire, embracing gratitude, warmth, and bliss, enjoying the togetherness in blessings. A few local friends joined in, sharing experiences with gratitude. Near dawn, coyotes and dogs dashed through the wilderness exchanging howls and barks, but overall, we were blessed with a peaceful night camping.

Early in the morning on the 27th, sisters who helped prepare the breakfast quickly got hard boiled eggs and pickled cabbage together, accompanied by Sister Xu’s thick warm corn porridge, gently waking everyone up. As the sun rose, a splendid rainbow-colored light emerged, striking brushes of clouds above the lake—a serene beauty beyond words! Indeed, the mesmerizing scenery of Holy Heavenly Lake is always here. The scenic photos of the lake in the 2025 calendar capture some of its many beautiful moments, and will be sent to those who volunteered during the year. May the beauty accompany us always! 

Wiser games started right after breakfast, with red and white teams forming and eagerly starting play. Amazing strikes even from new comers and unexpected excitement filled the air! Four rounds of games in the morning were followed by a spontaneous resumption after lunch, as everyone urged each other to come for more fun games in the coming year!

Many heartfelt thanks to all the contributions and dedication of volunteers whose efforts made this event a success. Moreover, it has quietly planted some new seeds of good causes. Words fall short of truly capturing the experience; only by being here can one sense this deep connection. May we all practice the teachings of Buddha in our daily actions and thoughts, embodying the true path in every moment of our days and finding boundless joy in doing so! May we dedicate all of this to the happiness and freeing from misfortunes of all beings, walking the path of the True Dharma together until we reach enlightenment!