Dharma Centre Renewal

 
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A New Temple and a Marquee Tent

At the DCC Members Meeting in May, the Board declared that our highest Dharma Centre Renewal priority is to build a new Temple that better meets our needs – one that all our Sangha and Teachers can use.  Since then, Lisa Cowen made a beautiful presentation to the Board that included the diversity, range and symbols of Namgyal Rinpoche’s teachings as she shared ideas about possibilities for the new Temple.  Board members have studied the first draft design done for the DCC by Jim Boyle of Imagineers, Lisa’s enriching options, and reviewed their own experience of strengths and weaknesses of DCC facilities. Monique Truax, (DCC Treasurer and a Temple project leader) will integrate Board suggestions so that we can ask Jim to create a second draft design that more closely represents our needs and traditions. The second design will be shared with DC members for your input so all of us can have the experience of contributing to the Temple and the Dharma Centre Renewal.  

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Meanwhile, as a result of research by Marta Castiglioni in the Admin Office, the Dharma Centre purchased an 800 sq. ft. 3-season, stable and wind-resistant marquee tent and built a solid platform floor for it. This tent will allow for safer retreats while the pandemic continues and prior to the new Temple being built. It will support retreats and gatherings for those Sangha members with sensitivities to the moisture and mold in the current temple. In the more distant future this portable tent can serve as an overflow space. The Board just approved the purchase of a heater which will add to the use of the tent in the spring and fall. 

Six Activity Areas

The Dharma Centre Renewal Project’s responsibilities extend beyond the new Temple and residences to maintaining and refurbishing the existing Temple and buildings. It is the largest project we have undertaken in decades. We realize that support of every person in our Sangha will be needed to reach our aspirations. Since the May 2021 Members Meeting, the Temple team laid out six work activity areas. For each of them we are creating a circle of supporters and advisors.  

We invite you to let Monique or David know through the Dharma Centre if you have skills and experience in -

    • Design

    • Construction & Maintenance

    • Accessibility

    • Sustainability

    • Communication

    • Attracting & Generating Resources

We have already benefitted from support of Sangha members with capacities in design, maintenance and resources as we engage in various aspects of DCC Renewal.

Sharing Progress and Funding Opportunities

We look forward to sharing capacities and resources with you for the benefit of all of us participating today and as a legacy for those who come after us. When the draft design is ready for your comment and input as part of making a final plan, we will also open funding opportunities for the whole sangha and circle of supporters. 

If the Dharma Centre is already in your will, please consider donating some of those resources for this project. You will see the results and benefit from your own gift as you contribute to a living legacy.  Members of the Board and a few others close to the project have already made generous donations and pledges. Please contact us if you have questions.

Monique Truax and David Berry

Dharma Centre of Canada