“KBL is an international Diamond way-lay Buddhist retreat center of the Karma Kagyü Lineage. It is holding a protective powerfield for Europe through its activities such as Kalachakra Stupa for the longer future and retreats and smaller and bigger courses throughout the year. The whole year an international team is partially living at the place. The meditation is protected and the yogi mind is lived. There is a vivid Sangha based on friendship and trust where the people are open to learn from each other and have a good relation to their Greek neighbors. The place provides a simple but cozy and independent infrastructure which reflects the limited resources and the origin wilderness of the place. The environment is improved for better meditation in-and outdoor. Many beings shall develop and get enlightened in the Mandala of Berchen Ling.”

It was read to Lama Ole, and he was very happy about it and blessed it.

Overview: There were a lot of events in 2007

• KBL will be run throughout the year with a new model of 12 housekeepers
• There was building activity and we will continue with our international friends
• To see the details – read our newsletter

It was the mildest winter in Greece in 40 years. For next winter, we will surely need more wood, and the Lama House and the retreat huts must be isolated against moisture (because of mould).

Bucky from the Slovak Republic, Remik from Poland, Jan from Athens and Juergen from Germany have planted over 400 trees on our property within 3 days, of these 200 are equipped with a protective wire netting against the sheep and goats – and also to make sure they are seen. They have had a lot of fun; the weather was warm and good. Metty and Stephi cooked for the hungry farmers. Two days after that the snow rain started again – for 24 hours – just to make sure the new trees would be watered thoroughly.

Due to the generosity of Patricia and Alex in the past, transport of goods, building material and people to KBL could be managed. As we all know, roads up tho the place in the Greek mountains are an adventure for most normal cars. Therefore, Martin, Stephanie and Jakob from Austria had the idea to buy a strong car (see photo) for Berchen Ling. (The car was bought from donations, and we still need some more money for insurance and transport to Greece. No money from the KBL account was used.) The car is already in KBL and being used for transport. It is ready to be used for everything that is planned this year.

Last and hottest news: the hill was bought on the 9th of March! With our lama´s blessing, the Stupa Hill now belongs to KBL. Lama Ole´s old wish is now fulfilled. May this be the beginning of our next steps to decide where to build the Stupa and move towards the application of the construction permits. May this benefit all beings.

The roof of the sangha-house was damaged to a large extent, all the tiles of the southern side were broken or gone. These damages we had often, they appear due to the extremely strong winter storms. That is why we decided to cover the roof with a plate for now, which can be fastened and secured better than tiles. An agent of the Allianz was there and noted the damages, the insurance will cover the costs. Due to the recommendations of a carpenter we also made the down tilt steeper and heightened the roof.

The provisional building in the centre of the place, that is used as storage room, course kitchen and Cafeteria, also was damaged so strongly through the wind, that reconstruction doesn’t pay. It all was quite ugly anyway, which is why we took it down completely. Insteadd we constructed a pretty new kitchen/cafeteria house.

Sheet metal flying around have slightly damaged the roof of the lama house (only a few tiles and a few corners of plaster) and the little generator house has disappeared completely, sort of gone with the wind. We built a retreat house with two rooms and separate shower and toilet. They are limited to the sangha house by a dry wall and thus protect the retreat area. Unfortunately we didn’t manage to finish the building completely. A leafy roof and a nature stone front are to be added to give it a cave-like character. Another dry wall supports the slope in front of the lama house. In front of the Sangha house we constructed a beautiful pergola made from wood with a straw roof. By this the “gypsy camp-feeling” has disappeared, which reigned due to using the camouflage nets and plastic foils as sun protection.