We are told in the traditional Buddhist texts, of a time when the Buddha was walking with his cousin, Ananda, and he said, It seems to me, that half of the Dharma life – the journey of Awakening – is having noble-friendship. And the Buddha replied, No, Ananda, that is not so. Wise friendship is the whole of the Dharma life – the journey of Awakening, that of becoming truly human.

During my years living as an ordained Buddhist monk in a monastery in Burma, I would hear this stanza of the Buddha — reflecting the importance of noble friendship — so frequently it embedded in my heart as a guiding wisdom in defining my relationships —every interaction; encouraging us to be our finest selves

—living examples of wise companionship, making each encounter with ‘other’ the most liberating act of our lives.In this way, we did our part in creating a sacred environment—a transformational sanctuary of heightened awakening— a community of interrelationships devoted to freedom — freedom from fear, greed and anger and the elevation of love, kindness and wisdom.

Paul Margolin — the visionary philanthropist — has magnificently created this very same environment here at Temple Byron, one of the finest centers of healing and transformation in the world. And why? Because he’s a rare and beautiful embodiment of wise and generous friendship. He clearly knows that integrity is the soul of conscience. He also knows the Buddha’s timeless summoning — that the whole of the journey of Awakening is wise friendship. And still further, has the dignity and courage of walking the talk.

Over the many years of knowing Paul, being blessed by his radical honesty, intelligence and compassionate presence, I have also been blessed to abide in his sacred Temple Byron for weeks at a time. As a result, I’ve healed and grown and opened to new and compelling inner dimensions never before felt and known.

How? It would not have been possible without the near continually uplifting wisdom and good will of my blessed dear friend, Paul, and equally, his beloved life partner, Liz Kerley. These two remarkable human beings are beautiful expressions of wise and liberating friendship.

To you Paul and Liz, a deep bow of love and gratitude for the heart and vision to bring Temple Byron into existence, as well as the deep generosity to keep it open to the good people from around the world. And further, for the wisdom in bringing your very best to me – supporting me in revealing the unknown aspects of myself and elevating that which is most true into heightened expressions of self-love, self-compassion and the wisdom to care for others as essential in becoming whole inside ourselves.

Thank you from my heart, for your noble friendship and your tireless generosity in making Temple Byron available to me and to so many others from around the world. May this sacred space live on for centuries to come and may your bright shinning example of wise friendship be a beacon of hope of what’s possible when two people really care about freedom and peace through wise relationships, the very future of life itself.