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News from the Director
 Greetings
from the western end of Kangaroo Island! Hope you are well and
happy. Thanks for your continued support and well wishes – they
are highly appreciated.
A brief note to keep you informed and put out a couple of requests.
A newsletter is planned for the near future.
Alas, His Holiness the Dalai Lama will not be coming to De-Tong
Ling in 2007. It was ambitious, but always possible. He is not
coming to Adelaide, which was a necessary pre-requisite for a trip
to KI. If he had come to Adelaide, Mr. Tenzin Atisha, HHDL’s
representative in Australia, said he could see no reason why HH
couldn’t come to consecrate the finished stupa at DTL.
Work Retreats 2005/06
Four more work retreats have been held since the last newsletter.
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In November ’05, the foundations of Retreat House No. 4
(the Caretaker/Manager’s House) were laid.
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In early January ’06, extensive landscaping work was
carried out around the stupa.
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Later in January, the rammed-earth walls for Retreat House
No. 4 were built.
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In April, further landscaping work around the stupa, focusing
particularly on tree-planting and site-drainage, was carried
out. At the same time, roof-timbers were put in place at
No. 4. In early
June, the roofing iron went on to No. 4, and the life tree
of the stupa was trimmed again to aid seasoning.
Stupa Plans for 2006
The De-Tong Ling Committee had an extended planning session in
May. We reaffirmed the stupa as top priority and spent most of
our time on it. In brief, we plan to:
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bring the room underneath the stupa to lock-up stage (all windows,
doors etc.)
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hold the necessary ceremony before construction of the stupa
begins in early October
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lay around 14.5 cubic metres of Hebel block to complete the
first step of the stupa.
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immediately afterwards hold another ceremony for the placing
of the wealth vases.
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continue the construction of the stupa in January 2007.
Other Plans for 2006
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Hold a gathering in Adelaide in Spring to display all the
stupa contents to all the Friends of the Stupa before they
are forever
locked away.
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Set up a proper membership scheme for all the friends of
DTL. DTL is now incorporated, and needs Members, AGM’s,
Auditors, and all suchlike things.
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Host a meeting of all the Directors of all Australian (and
perhaps NZ) FPMT centres at DTL on Nov 10/11
Wishlist
$800 for a computer - already identified as a real bargain - to
maintain our financial records using Quicken, a financial software
package.
$2000 for a water tank - available at a reduced price – the
first for a water storage facility designed to provide water to
buildings above the big dam, something we will need to put in place
very soon. Water will be pumped up (probably using a pump powered
by the sun) and then gravity fed back to ultimately as many as
eight buildings.
Remember, it’s the end of the financial year and donations
to DTL Building Fund are tax-deductible …and you can donate
from your visa card on our web site. If you can notify Kimball
(08 8553 2670) before June 30th or email your intention by June
30th we’ll provide you with a receipt for the 2005/2006 financial
year.
That’s all folks! More news soon.
Regards,
Kimball
(for the De-Tong Ling Committee)
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