At the start you can go to the Land of Medicine Buddha or the Enchanted Forest. The LMB trail or the Trail of 8 Verses is a 2 mile stroll which at which there are 8 stations each with a bench, and beautiful signage with a Buddist verse. Each is so serene and invites meditation.
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 Choices...actually you get to do both if you do the "big loop" Credit: SCseagoat |
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The path of Eight Verses contains stations like this...very inviting, yes?
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 One of the Eight Verses. Since these come up at the end of my run/hile I've been known to sit and reflect...actually breathe. There are often "gifts" left on the frames. Credit: SCseagoat |
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About 40 minutes into my workwout I come to my first special place. But just before that I go under this branch that seems to have grown just perfectly for someone to pass under.
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 I pass just perfectly under this branch that hangs over the middle of the trail. Credit: SCseagoat |
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Then up a little further and around the corner to the first of some special surpirses. People doing this for the first time are so moved.
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 Up on top of the hill, a beautiful sacred grove with prayer flags. It's not uncommon to find branches on the ground that have been arranged into a pattern. Very moving. Credit: SCseagoat |
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From this point on you need to look carefully as there are small "memorials" just off the beaten path. It's not uncommon for me to find a new one that I have passed by many times. An example of just two:
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 You have to explore a little bit to find this one. Credit: SCseagoat |
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Further down the hill. Depending on which way you are going you might not even see this one. It's tucked into a little grove.
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 There are many of these tucked just off the lower paths. I have seen so many types of relics left behind. I'm always wondering about the back story. Credit: SCseagoat |
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Coming further down the hill there is another sacred grove:
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 This frequently has the Peace Sign made of branches. Sometimes there are other branch-made shapes. Credit: SCseagoat |
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As I continue on getting closer to main buildings I go up a small but steep hill and begin to drop into a beautiful and sacred meadow.
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 Just before dropping down into the meadow there is another one of the Eight Verses stations. This one also has a lovely pond. Credit: SCseagoat |
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Over the crest of the hill and the lovely meadow with prayer flags and large tent are in front of me. I believe larger events are held up here.
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 This picture doesn't do justice. The meadow is just teeming with beautiful prayer flags. Credit: SCseagoat |
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Further down the meadow is also the Stupa path for the blessing of animals. Unfortunately I didn't catch the shadow on the painted signage which reads: "Special Blessing for Animals by Following the Stupa Path". What I love about this painted signage is that it's an exact rendition of what you are looking at as you read it.
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 The prayer flags in the meadow just never end! Credit: SCseagoat |
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 "Special Blessing for Dogs by following the Stupa Path" The signage couldn't be any more clear! Credit: SCseagoat |
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Then just a little further on the path and you start approach the main parts of the retreat. Turn right on the paved road to the Wish Fulfilling Temple...what a lovely lane...
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 The lane to the Wish Fulfilling Temple is lined with many of these drawings. They are perfectly executed. Credit: SCseagoat |
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Around the corner to the Wish Fulfilling Temple. You can go in if you get the key but I'm always in a hurry (shame on me), so I gaze at the building and go and look into the windows.
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 Wish Fulfilling Temple high on the hill. Credit: SCseagoat |
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 Inside the Temple is a beautiful golden Buddha about 40 feet tall. Unfortunately I am taking this through a window so you can't see it all given the reflection of the trees outside. There are also 100s of urns with people's ashes. Not a bad final resti Credit: SCseagoat |
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 The art work and painting is stunning. Look at the beautiful dragon heads on the corner. Credit: SCseagoat |
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On down the hill I keep going and I love this fence post that is part of a retaining wall.
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 reminds me of a pug's face. Credit: SCseagoat |
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A little further down the hill and you encounter the first of several sacred terraces. This has a smaller prayer wheel and a beautiful gongs. I always stop here and turn the prayer wheel and bang some of the gongs or chimes.
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 Approaching the Gongs, Bells and small Prayer Wheel. At this point I only have about 30 minutes left in my workout. I always stop and give thanks for making it that far! Credit: SCseagoat |
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The small prayer wheel:
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 The small prayer wheel..I always turn it and give thanks for my good health and ask that I and my family and friends have good health. Credit: SCseagoat |
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The gongs and bells:
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 The bells and gongs at LMB. Today they rang and pealed through the Soquel Hills for a fallen climber. Credit: SCseagoat |
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Beautiful statue ringed with small prayer wheels.
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 Land of Medicine Buddha Credit: SCseagoat |
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Going further down the hill I start to come into the main set of buildings.
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 Coming down another hill into the main cluster of buildings. There are many beautiful flags throughout the compound. Credit: SCseagoat |
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The kiosk of all the things happening at LMB
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 Have you ever seen an event kiosk look so lovely? Credit: SCseagoat |
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Another small prayer wheel.
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 A lovely small prayer wheel in the main part of the grounds. Credit: SCseagoat |
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A lovely artistic designated walking lane, similar to the art on the lane to the Wish Fulfilling Temple.
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 Beautiful designation of a walking area. Credit: SCseagoat |
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Almost done...just before I head down the last, short, but steep hill, to my bike is the largest prayer wheel on the grounds. I always stop to turn this one.
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 Turning the big prayer wheel Credit: SCseagoat |
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Information about the prayer wheel and how it is built. Very interesting!
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 information about the prayer wheel and the actual construction. Credit: SCseagoat |
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How lucky am I that this is in my backyard? If you live in the area don't miss spending some time up at LMB. Trail running, easy hiking, or advanced moutain biking all in a place of serene beauty and spirituality. And animals welcome!
Susan
