San Francisco Buddhist Center purchase Retreat House, helpers needed!

Suvarnaprabha writes from Triratna’s San Francisco Buddhist Center http://www.sfbuddhistcenter.org/  with news of their new retreat house.  She says - “The SFBC has purchased a modest two bedroom house on five acres of land in the mountains of Lake County, California, a two and a half hour drive north from San Francisco. We've had two weekend work parties so far (one with a snow storm and a power outage!) and have made an amazing amount progress on getting it ready for use.

“The house is rustic and basic. It is manifesting simplicity in a lovely setting.  Our first small retreat will happen in mid-April. After that it will be available beginning mid-May for solitary retreats, small retreats, and mindful vacations - we welcome inquiries from friends in the broader Triratna community who would like to come and do a solitary here.  It’s very affordable!

“For us there is still a lot of work to be done, for example adding another bathroom (so there will be two.) We are aiming to raise $9,000 US from donations from friends, Mitras, and Order Members  in the broader worldwide Triratna community who are inspired to create retreat spaces for our community.  Dana (no amount too small or too big!) is appreciated and can be offered by clicking 'Payments/Donations' at sfbuddhistcenter.org (specify it's for "the land").

You will be hearing more about this in the coming months!  In the mean time we have a blog on which we regularly post updates - check it out: sfbcnorth.blogspot.com.  There you’ll find their beautiful piece ‘Spirit of the Land Project’, where  they say -

With open handed generosity

As a community of spiritual practitioners and friends,

we practice in many ways.

This land project is a wonderful opportunity

to develop in our practice

and

in our spiritual friendships with one another.

What is paramount

in all we do as a community

is to support each other

to Awaken

for the benefit of all beings.

One way we can do this is

through the practice of Dana.

The generosity that is needed to make this project a reality

is given by all the members of the sangha,

in one form or another.

Regardless of the level of generosity

any one member provides,

access and utilization of the facilities

will be equal

for

all sangha members.