Dhamma Sukha Meditation Center update report

August 16, 2007

Dhamma Greetings to everyone!

This past March or so, some of you may be aware that UIBDS considered purchasing a different property which had been a Catholic Hermitage. This purchase did not happen and as it turned out, this was a good thing for the development of the center. After much consideration it has been decided not to move our location from the forest where we are now located. Much time, effort and devotion has been spent on this present 30 acres and the energy is too good to abandon. Also our goal is to have a "simple" forest monastery supplying ONLY what is necessary without extreme comfort or charges per day. The center will proceed as planned in the traditional manner, by donation only, slowly and surely as the members build the center and following the original practice as closely as possible.

United International Buddha Dhamma Society ( UIBDS ) which is the supporting structure for Dhamma Sukha has made a firm decision to move forward with the development of the center on this land that is presently owned in Annapolis, MO. This is where the center has been for the past 4 years and this land has excellent energy and consists of 30 acres of forested land with a small pond also that can later be expanded to encompass the building of a small pagoda. It is located 11 miles south of Ironton, MO. Presently, there is an all weather forest road, 5 kutis, a small house, two working wells. There is a beautiful forest and walking trails on the land. There are good level areas and steep areas for hiking too.

The main reason for remaining on the land and continue development here is because
> the mortgage payment is very low not causing debt at only $325 per month ( can you imagine?) and there is less than a $20,000 balance on the mortgage at this time! ( August 2007)
> People in the surrounding area are beginning to understand and accept that we work hard towards a more Peaceful world and now they offer more support more openly.
> Although other geographical areas have been investigated this past Spring for possible relocation closer in to cities, all of these areas had building codes and restrictions that would delay construction for long periods of time. On this land, we are not restricted.
> This summer, 2007,  many people from various areas of the US responded to the center by taking up the training. People in other countries are making arrangements to come here as well now to assist with building and some are considering winter retreats.
> This past year many temples offered their open support for the growth of Dhamma Sukha Center.
> This parcel of land has an additional 20 acres of adjacent mostly level acreage which is available to be added to the present land for another $20,000 which would open up a housing area for the future campus of the intended Buddhist Study Center. a possible hospice location and residential housing in the future. 

As of August 16th, 2007, our forest road through the property was completed with a good top layer of small crushed rock that has nicely solidified for all weather driving. It is now easy walking throughout the forest to all areas of the center.  Three building sites have been completely cleaned up.  4 new kuti cabins have been installed in place and the interiors are being completed at this time by volunteers. This includes electrical as well. These kutis will support year round occupancy . Electricity has been approved and is coming into the new living areas now. The cabins will be heated with very small woodstove units and will most likely have back-up systems that are electric. Since the cabins have been put in, they have had over 80% occupancy all summer. With these new cabins, the center can now handle a total of up to 20 people if space is shared or if possible, they can be used for single occupancy. Two more cabins will be ordered in as soon as support funding is received  ( $5,000 each) and by fall these will most likely be installed. Donated cabins will have donor plaques placed by the doorways.

The property at Jeta's Grove, (which is what the land was named) was properly appraised this year and considering all things done so far, the best opportunity for moving ahead with further development is for us to continue building on this land and put ALL funding into new buildings. For as little as $250,000 this entire project, including the study center and a house for the hospice could be completed . That would include a Kitchen/Dining Hall, bathrooms and sauna, Great Dhamma Hall, Elders residential housing, Main Library, and the power equipment necessary for survival in this location. The cost of the Bathhouse and plumbing to the Kitchen/Dining room is $16,700! The construction people are super good and reliable and this estimate is more than fair.

At present, there are four building sites cleared on the land .
The first one is an open area with an established vegetable garden with cabin number one close by. There is a separate dome habitat which is being turned into an indoor exercise area for yoga, stretching, and weights.  The main well and generator house are in this area as well.
The second area includes an open meadow for the future Dhamma Hall surrounded by forest with three kuti cabins around the edge. There is a large 1,000 gallon septic tank and it's drain field near this area. This area also includes two small sites  in the woods being cleared for the new bathrooms, a laundry and winter sauna to be installed and the kitchen/Dining hall. The third area which is now leveled and mostly cleared is actually ready for a Women's facility to be built. This area sits a little deeper in the woods, with it's own road and with a walking trail that leads directly to the garden area, kitchen /dining building, bathrooms and Dhamma hall site. 
The fourth area is a forest area has been partially cleared as a campground area for anyone wishing to tent camp. There is a fire pit and a covered lean-to area is being built to get in from the rain if necessary. This campground is surrounded by forest and presently facilitates about 7 tent and van sites. Outdoor conference groups like to use this area or students who choose to be isolated on their own in the forest.

FUNDRAISING EFFORTS

Fund Raising begins in mid-August of 2007 to raise monies for the continuation of development for the Center. 

NOTE: The electric has been approved and is going to be brought in to the building sites the end of this month. Clearing for the poles and lines takes place this Saturday, August 18th, 2007. The cost on this is $1,395.00 .

The first priority is to get the new bathroom/laundy/sauna building done with plumbing and water lines put in leading to the bathroom, the new kitchen/dining hall building, and to Sister Khema's trailer which will be placed on a slab nearby.

The second priority is to get the new kitchen/dining hall in for approx. $21,000. 

The third priority is to re-house Ven. Vimalaramsi into another building after tearing down the old 1962 house trailer he is in now and replacing it with another shed structure . The estimated cost on this is $10,000. It will include a working bathroom for the monks to use in the future. This monk's residence will remain located in the base-camp area below the other building sites.

This summer 2007, work is going right now on the following:

>> tear down the old equipment shed and replace it with a hand built garage with a door that can be closed;
>> tear down and salvage the large house trailer that the teacher is in now and replace it with a simple clean living facility including their own bathroom facility. ( For the time being, Venerable will live in the new library office cottage shed next to the house until we can get him a small building.) 
>> A new driveway was completed and landscaping with additional flower gardens at the entrance were built.
>> A small housing structure to cover the outdoor Buddha to greet us at the gate is being built by Ven. U Jatika and Ven. Sister Khema.
>> Flag Poles will be installed for the American Flag and the Buddhist Flag at the front entrance.
>> A new cottage shed has been installed for the new library and office and the inside is being worked on right now. Bhante will live in this shed until the trailer is dismantled and replaced.
>> Sister Khema's electric and water in her trailer are going to be repaired and the roof repaired. She has been in this trailer for 5 years now. Then the trailer is going to be relocated to the upper area of land next to the dome and garden area. A cement pad site will be put in with an anchor it to the ground.
>> The road through the forest and the front entrance driveway has been finished!
>> The low water bridge to the upper land is being repaired and cement is going to make it secured and wider for better driving in the springtime.
>> Landscaping has been done to the front entrance area.

While all this is going on, new classes at Cape Girardeau are continuing to grow and inroads are being made in St. Louis area to connect with meditation groups and new temples. We will keep you posted about any further new developments during the summer of 2007. We appreciate everyone's input and support concerning the development of the project.

It is now for certain that we will be remaining at this location unless for some reason the energy here were to significantly shift in another direction. At present so many signs indicate that this is the proper thing to do and the energy is really forward moving!

We welcome your input about the center and hope you will write to us.  
Sister Khema

Official yearly fundraising will begin in Mid August, 2007. We appreciate all of your support to continue with the building of YOUR RETREAT CENTER. Our effort is moving towards having the center providing free food and housing. We encourage everyone to join in the tradition of not coming to the center empty-handed! Find out what is needed and help the center along so it can be here for everyone. This is the Buddhist Tradition.

To give donations to keep the building going through August, please go to www.NetworkForGood.org .
At the Keyword window put in "United International" and then United International Buddha Dhamma will come up on that page if you scroll down a little bit.
Donations can be sent in or monthly donations can be arranged.
OR
You can send a check to: UIBDS
 
Dhamma Sukha Meditation Center
RR1 Box 100
Annapolis, MO 63620

All help is welcomed and tax deductible.

With Metta.

Ven. Sister Khema, Chairperson for United International Buddha Dhamma Society
Assistant for Venerable Bhante Vimalaramsi, Abbot
Dhamma Sukha Meditation Center
Jeta's Grove and Anathapindika's Park
Annapolis, MO

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Last modified: 07/11/08