Construction began in earnest the following year in 1999, when Palyul Ling was able to raise the funds required to build the temple with its beautiful wide wrap-around porch. Simple rooms to house those not hardy enough to manage living in tents were built, now known as the “East Dorm.” At the conclusion of the 1999 summer retreat, His Holiness gathered with a few of the remaining students from the year’s retreat, apologized that the garden around the temple was not yet planted, and asked “How would you like this temple decorated?” It became clear in that moment this retreat center is, in fact, His Holinesses offering to all practitioners and students. He promised the temple would be hung with paintings and thankgas—and today it is!