The Road to the Buddha-Recitation Hall in a Once-in-a-Decade Winter

This winter, the eastern United States experienced a rare and extreme cold wave.

Continuous snowfall combined with severe cold made the winter in Amitabha Village unusually long and difficult.

Yet amid the wind, snow, and freezing temperatures, a group of volunteers worked from early morning until late at night, simply to clear a path leading to the Buddha-recitation hall.

This road may appear ordinary, but it carries a whole day of perseverance and sincere dedication.

This winter has been especially harsh for the eastern United States.
After days of heavy snow and extreme cold, the deepest snow in Amitabha Village reached nearly 50 cm, and nighttime temperatures once dropped to more than –20°C. The biting wind howled through the air, which felt almost frozen. Every breath taken outdoors carried a piercing chill.

On the first day of February, preparations had to be made for an incoming shipping container, and the road leading to the Buddha-recitation hall needed to be cleared as quickly as possible. Thick snow had sealed off the path, and if it was not handled in time, all subsequent work would be affected.

Although the sky was clear that day, the cold wind remained sharp. Sunlight reflected off the snow, dazzling white, making the intensity of the cold even more apparent.

Early in the morning, volunteers gradually began the snow-clearing work.

Bulldozers roared in the front, pushing aside large piles of snow.
Off-road vehicles equipped with snowplows cleared the main road back and forth.
Many more volunteers took up shovels to clear the sides of the road, the steps, and areas that machinery could not reach.

Some operated equipment, while others focused on manual clearing. Working together, they gradually “dug out” the road that had been buried under heavy snow.

The cold was no small challenge.

Hands quickly grew numb from the freezing temperatures, and standing too long made feet lose sensation. People rubbed their hands, stomped their feet, drank hot water to warm themselves, and after brief adjustments returned to the snow to continue working.

The sun slowly descended in the sky.
By the time they looked up again, the moon had quietly risen, and the cold had grown even sharper.

Among the snow-clearing team that day were long-time practitioners who had been supporting the temple for years, newcomers volunteering at Amitabha Village for the first time, and families who had brought their children to help.

The children were not idle either.

They helped clear snow and spread salt alongside the adults, though at times they could not resist playing in the snow or sliding across the ground for fun. Their crisp laughter sounded especially bright in the cold air.

Amid the labor of the harsh winter, there was also a touch of lightness and childlike joy.

It was not until 9 p.m. that the road leading to the Buddha-recitation hall was finally completely cleared, and the parking lot became accessible again.

Moonlight fell across the newly cleared road, illuminating rows of snow traces that had not yet melted. Gradually the surroundings grew quiet, leaving only the night and the faint glow reflected from the snow.

This road may seem like nothing more than a cleared path, yet it carries the dedication and perseverance of everyone from morning until night.

In the wind and snow, no one stepped back.
In the bitter cold, each person’s sincere intention gathered into a powerful force.

During this once-in-a-decade winter, it was precisely these quiet efforts that brought a sense of steadiness and warmth to the winter nights of Amitabha Village.

In the daily operation of the temple, many things may appear ordinary, yet they rely on the support of the community bit by bit.

Behind a cleared road lies a full day of hard work.
Even a simple act of volunteer service is an expression of sincere intention.

Perhaps it is these simple and genuine efforts that allow Amitabha Village to maintain its warmth and strength, even amid the wind, snow, and severe winter.