We have just passed a critical milestone of twenty years in existence. When I look back it’s a helluva journey to say the least. In 1999, my daughter Win had just got into Stanford and now she is a full fledged MD, married with two little sons four and two. My son was 18 in High School, now he is 38 teaching English in Saudi Arabia.

Myself? I was a much charged 59 year old full of verve and energy ready to roll no matter what. Now I am almost 79 semi-disable, white haired, starting to lose my hearing, short term memory, unable to drive with 20% of workable energy. Am I disappointed? No way!! Multitudes of local and oversea students have passed through the gate, their kids and grandkids have grown up, a few have become Dhamma teachers. I am still teaching at the Center but refraining from traveling in the country or abroad to teach.

The most popular courses were mindfulness in conflict and the Abhidhamma Introductory Course. I will be focusing mostly on teaching and training trainers and making videos as requested by our videographer Adam Titone. His intention is to collect all the teachings for future posterity. I am nearly 80 now.

We started building Pagodas in 2001, again in 2011 and still building now our third time, the replica of our great Shwedagon in Burma. We just completed the foundation and platform. Still moving forward.

With whatever faculties I have left I am doing my best for the present and the future of the Center, so that’s my main goal at present. A few of the next generation is undergoing training in teaching, joining the Board, and plans to train senior students in managing the Center is beginning soon.

I am at present focussing on our financial structure with the goal of making us solvent and debt free in two to three years’ time. That I know is a tall order but at least we do not have a mortgage. It’s mainly the property tax and operating costs we are trying to manage as best we can.

My health is stabilizing more than a few years ago thanks to the best integrative medicine available in the county and my MD daughter Win who monitors my health, and keeps me on track. And of course two little grandsons who keep me in stitches with their antics and on my toes with their demands on my attention. Both of them love to feed me my meds or supplements so my health should get better right?

Anyway at least during the last two years we spent nearly $30,000 in major repairs in shoring up the foundation of the house, the whole of the front and sides of the Dhamma House are newly rebuilt with proper cement walk ways, a lovely front entrance with a Japanese theme bridge designed by Mark McCaullif our senior student and contractor. Also Jim Morris a retired geotechnical engineer came down from Nevada City and changed the contour of the whole front and two sides of the house to divert rain water from seeping under the house. So now we have dry creeks running in front and along side the house to the back ! I love the idea of dry creeks instead of French drains.

Chat Paing Zu American Shwedagon Pagoda

View on AmericanShwedagon.com

Plea for Donations

The operating cost of the Center is around $60,000 a year. Major expenses are due to increased property tax and extensive repairs done within the last two years. We are imploring our donors and supporters to continue your generous support for this year to set off the expenses of the repairs done.