Popsicle Stick Temple
Moundsville West Virginia.
He worked at it for a good solid three years. It's a masterpiece of a job. Constructed entirely of popsicle sticke, match sticks, and tiny tulasi neckbeads with a nail clipper as the tool is this four front tall beautiful mini temple. The intricate work of what resembles a South Indian mandir is rather astounding. It lights up inside.
The architect's name is Arjun who lives in prison in Warren Ohio. Arjun suprised me when I first met him through his mentor Akilananda, in many ways. For starters he never set foot inside a temple, ever, and that's because he never knew about Krishna Conciousness before he entered prison. In fact he inquired his spiritual name over two years ago during an initiation held at his home prison. His sentence terminates in a few years when he will be 46. He was charged with manslaughter.
Arjun regrets the art of violence and has a change of heart. This is the second thing that is rather overwhelming about his approach and attitude towards life. Wardens at this correctional services centre love Arjun. His turn around earned him a confidence that placed him as art director of that place. Absent makes the heart grow fonder.
More heroically he is sharing his gift of devotion with others. Bruce is a 6 foot 4 inch inmate who has caught on to the charm of Krishna Conciousness. Bruce is vegetarian and is now chanting daily along with Arjun. This is the real "jailhouse rock."
In fact this day, May 8th, really did rock.
Our drama crew performed on the level of par excellence. I was so proud of the cast and crew. What remarkable feed back we received! I was in ecstasy. Seeing the cast strutting their bhakti stuff on the stage was like eating sweet honey cake with eyes and ears. But seeing Arjun's towering mini temple was the day's icing on the cake.
11 KM
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