On August 6, our community in Australia celebrated National Tree Day!

In celebration of this day, our Australian coordinators, Mark and Jill, helped to coordinate a tree-planting day at our partner, Atisha Buddhist Centre.

Mark tells us that “The event went ahead under bright, blue, and sunny late-winter skies! We had 14 degrees Celsius (57,2 degrees Fahrenheit). About 25 Sangha, members, and children attended with great joy and enthusiasm!

Ven. Drime led the planting day, and was assisted by Geshe Rabten, Ven. Dorje, Ven. Dondrup, Ven. Chodak, and Ven. Tsapel.

Together everyone planted, watered, and mulched 60 native plants, around the new Kadampa Stupa site.

“It all went ahead so quickly, and for everyone’s hard work, earned a gorgeous afternoon with homemade cake, momos, tea, and coffee.

Atisha Centre is very grateful for the support of all who attended, and looks forward to the next Spring planting day within the next two months!”

Mark added a note to explain that due to a clash in dates, he himself, Jill and Ken were unable to attend the actual planting. However, he and Ken spent 3 days in the week prior, preparing the site: digging the holes, preparing the soil and mulch, ordering and setting out the plants, etc. Jill and Ven. Chodak baked three delicious cakes and muffins. The whole day went ahead successfully without any issues!