Namaste.
A History of Bodhi Heart Sanctuary
Mind is the forerunner of all states..
Bodhi Heart Sanctuary begins when a group of like-minded and kind-hearted beings coming together to purchase this piece of land, a little more than 8 acres, through a public offer. Seemingly, they were the only party interested. I guess destiny or karma has its own design and is shaping the unfolding of events.
Perhaps, it is the two handfuls of graves, the more than three dozens of squatters and an existing Indian temple - that deters potential developers, but certainly it has a queer attraction for these like-minded buddies. This was in mid 2006.
This rare, green and hilly piece of gem in the fringe of the capital of Penang, yes we are seated in Georgetown, was waiting to discovered and fulfill its destiny. These buddies, after much deliberation, decide to offer this land for spiritual and humanistic purpose. The dreams and destiny is slowly unfolding..... Bodhi Heart Sanctuary was established to receive this lofty gift and was charged with the responsibilities to achieve these noble goals.
Nevertheless, the heart was more than willing and so the legal papers were prepared and we were registered with the Malaysian Buddhist Association, an umbrella body for Buddhist temples in Malaysia, in October 13, 2006 - membership reference PG/111/29141. This is the day we were conceived.
Meanwhile, we also seek registration with the Registrar of Society. For the record our registration were accepted in April 16, 2008 - our membership no is 0748-08-PPG.
Shaping the Bodhi Heart entity
A name, logo, motto and a master plan were assembled - all in a very short span of time i.e., all within a week, but in a most deliberate manner! All these is for membership registration with the Malaysian Buddhist Association and also for the long term goals of the Sanctuary.
As this essential chapter begins with good and beautiful intentions, which is also inherent in all mankind, the name Bodhi Heart was given. It did not cross our mind then, but what a pleasant surprise that the essence of Bodhi Heart is all about bodhicitta - and Bodhi Heart means precisely bodhicitta! We started with Bodhi Heart Temple and decide that a Sanctuary will be more reflective of the landscape.
The logo was a bodhi-leaf within an octagon - the leaf was turned upright, instead of downward initially. thanks to a suggestions from a Tibetan Master. The octagon, representing the Noble Eightfold Path, was also representative of the 8 areas or centers we would like to shape in the Sanctuary. The bodhi leaf represents awakening or wisdom and it is in the heart of our proposed 8 spiritual and humanistic centers - and so, ''''''''compassion with wisdom'''''''' our motto was manifested.
The Eight Centers
We dream of having eight spiritual and humanistic centers in the Sanctuary:
a homage point - a place of deep veneration and honor for our Great Teacher and his Great Disciples
abodes for the Sangha - a corridor of huts to accommodate monks/nuns or those helping to serve our spiritual needs
prayer center - a place of prayers and pujas for the devotees
meditation center - a place to seek wisdom and purity
library and resource center - a place to read and research the Dharma
activity center - perhaps one or two function sites for multipurpose activities
dharma hall - a function area for bigger events
welfare area - a village of welfare entities and facilities serving all irrespective of color or creed
While we hope to realize the above we are willing to evolve to better fit the needs and aspirations of the times. Meanwhile, we will construct other practical and supporting facilities to make the Sanctuary a conducive venue to seek spiritual solace and humanistic wellness.
We like to mention that all Buddhist organizations and individuals are welcomed to use the above facilities - just give us a call and make the arrangement. Meanwhile, proceed to view photos of some of the completed centers and facilities.
The Guiding Principles
We also crafted a few principles to guide us in shaping the Sanctuary - both in its landscape, structures and activities, inclusive of the 8 Centers mentioned above. The plans, sites and forms may change across time but we hope to sustain the essence these principles provide.
Firstly, we decide we would adopt a non-sectarian approach. We hope to do this in an inclusive manner and not an exclusive manner. This means we will honor the uniqueness of each Traditions and adopt the best from the Traditions, be it the techings, methods or culture. This means we will promote unity in diversity. This means we will collaborate with as many Buddhist groups of various Traditions in our activities as much as we will implement non-sectarian initiatives. This means we will adopt an active collaboration and facilitation role - we will provide facilities, resources, avenues, support and content, to any organizations that shares our values of promoting spirituality, wellness and humanism.
In this context, we will not have any resident monks or nuns but yet we will create facilities to accommodate monks and nuns from all Traditions. In this context we will organize and participate in any activities as long as it aligns with our goals and missions.
Secondly, we decide to have three guidelines for our structural style. Our structures must be simple, practical and natural. In this context we will deemphasize religious forms and culture unless it aligns with simplicity, practicality and naturalism. It will certainly not be a potpouri of cultures but rather a simplification of cultural forms to the point of serving only basic practical needs of our activities and programs. We hope to fill 60% of our land with greens and 40% with simple structures or supporting facilities.
This will then leads to our third guidelines for our activities and programs. We hope to be educational focus and be less ritualistic. We hope to be to be more practise-focus and less worship oriented. We hope to be more focus on living issues and less of structural ones. We hope to be of service both in the spiritual and in humanistic dimensions and less of a tourist attraction. We certainly are not-for-profit oriented and not profit driven.
The Infant Phase
With the guidelines constantly in our hearts and mind we began the hard, long but joyful journey of shaping the Sanctuary. After numerous hurdles and challenges we began to step into this land and work the soil - and it is already early December 2006. We choose December 12, 2006 to mark the birthdate of the Sanctuary, and we will honor and celebrate this day every year.
Yes, we are only two years old as at December 2008 and we have certainly come a long way with our facilities and activities. We invite you come forward to help us shape the Sanctuary and offer this place to all beings to seek balance and meanings in their life.
How You can Help
Please feel free to walk in to the Sanctuary - and make yourself at home. We do not have high walls or fences nor big gates. if you need some help to go around drop into our office - which is the little house right at the entrance. As long as you are engage in something wholesome, meaningful and spiritual we will not pose any questions when you walk through our gates. We will not ask about your meditation techniques, nor solicit membership, nor impose our values to you. On the contrary, we will invite you to fill the Sanctuary with your favorite activities and friends. There is absolutely no charges - but donation are welcomed.
Bring along your friends for your periodic and private meditation session - decide your own time, choose your own corner, bring your facilitator, explore your techniques, and enjoy and enrich yourself. You may gather your own dana circles, chanting buddies, welfare cliques, nature adventurers, gardening nuts - just make yourself at home. Allow us to serve you - feel free to call us and make arrangement to use the facilities.
You may even bring in your favorite Venerables - if you have nowhere to house them. Our only criteria is - the monks must keep their Rules, engaged in meditation-or-talks-or-writing book and do not solicit funds actively. Call us to make arrangement.
You may also want to contribute your talents or time - just call us and tell us how you could serve, all at your own schedule, duration, talent and pace! Perhaps, gardening every Tuesday morning, or just helping us to cut the grass every other fortnight for just an hour, or being our handyman for an hour every Friday. Call now to explore your life with us.
Write to us at activity@bodhihearts.net or call us 016-444 2216 (Yeow) or 016-481 8308 (Hor) - we will be pleased to help you.
love, bodhiheart
No comments:
Post a Comment