By Lori Suzanne Holetz
Way up into our majestic mountains lays a magical land, the Sparkling Jewel of a Spiritual Crown, the Vajrapani Buddhist Institute of Wisdom Culture. Established in the early 80s by the Venerable Lama Yeshe, Vajrapani has grown into an elegant serene setting of peace and tranquility, a place of reflection and contemplation holding a vision of a better world for us all. I met and enjoyed a lovely lunch with Heidi Oehler, the new Director who has been actively working at the center for close to 10 years. For me, to return to one of my favorite places to work in service and find out what new developments are in the works up there on mountain high. The 70 acre site of the land is considered most auspicious due to the confluences of the two waterways that come together there, in addition the unique geophysics lend to the perfect setting of serenity, reflection and the uplifting of our essence. The building of the institute has been a long process of evolution from the original teepees that dotted the land back in days following the peace and love generation of the 60s; leading up to today, where the long awaited Prayer Wheel of Compassion is presently being installed. The Prayer Wheel, the heart of this blessed site, will be filled with five trillion compassion mantras and prayers; printed on microfiche film that can only be seen under a microscope, and then spun onto spools that will fill the 7’ wide by 10’ tall core canister of the wheel. Each spin, every revolution of the wheel is thought to be equal to saying those 5 trillion mantras; each turn spins those trillions of prayers out over the land and the people of our community, and further into the world. Having now obtained most of the funding necessary, the building of the roof and structural frame is in the works. All work is permitted and seismically fit to be durable and last many generations. Eventually the exterior will be gloriously decorated with colorful traditional Tibetan Buddhist style designs and carvings. The building of a Prayer Wheel is thought to bring great blessings to the land and the people there. The community of Boulder Creek and surrounding area can know that as a whole we are being greatly blessed by this tremendous undertaking; that with each revolution of the wheel, blessings and prayers radiate out onto us all. Vajrapani offers meditative and contemplative retreat gatherings for groups, individuals’ private retreat and facility rentals, specializing in presenting revered master teachers of Buddhist wisdom culture from around the world. Private retreat cabins are set aloft the mountain ridge with an expansive view lending to a sense of communion with the highest upon high; cultivating serenity of the mind, body, heart and spirit. Once a year each summer, Vajrapani hosts Big Love Day open house for community to come and visit, enjoy a beautiful lunch, partake in activities, and experience the blessings of this special place of joy. This year Big Love Day will be on Sunday, August 4th and as always, it is the hope that people of the surrounding community will come and “dip their toes” into the lovely pool of compassionate beauty, witness the sparkling jewel we all have here upon high in our own majestically beautiful land. Such a glorious treat, make a point to visit this most special place. For more information, contact Vajrapani at 831-531-4001 | 19950 Kings Creek Road, Boulder Creek | https://vajrapani. org/