of Amitayus Buddhist retreat centre
On 12/12/2009 the association “Amitayus Buddhist retreat centre” was founded, an association for the promotion of intensive meditation practice.
Under the supervision of the Venerable monk Thich Hanh Tan, the acquisition of a large plot of land with 3 buildings could be closed on the same day. Thus the realisation of Venerable Hahn Tan’s vision came closer within reach. The Venerable left Germany 3 years ago after he was abbot at the Vien Giac monastery in Hannover for a long time. His goal was to find a place with his disciples to retreat to, and meditate over a longer period of time. Despite many obstacles, it seemed as if this place was found. In Laos, buddhist lay people donated a piece of land on which he could build an hermitage. But he didn’t expect the resistance of the authorities in Laos, who did not see themselves in the position to issue the Venerable a several-year visa. After he remembered a prophecy of a monk back in his home country Vietnam, who had told him that his future would not be in Asia, he decided to realize his wish for a place of intense meditation practice in his second homeland, Germany. With support from protectors of the Dharma he found a suitable property on the internet; a plot of land of 15,384 square metres and three buildings in the small village “Schmiedeberg”, about 40 km from Dresden, in the middle of the “Saxon Switzerland”. This region is famous for its wild beauty and seems to be made for meditation in seclusion. At the back of the property is a long slope and the front is bordered by a stream. The buildings are spacious and have been renovated in 2001. The most important factor in the purchasing decision, however, was the purchase price, which seemed affordable to all founding members. The price was EUR 115,000 and was due in three installments; EUR 20,000 immediately after closing the notarial contract, EUR 65,000 by mid of March and EUR 30,000 end of April. On top came about EUR 5,000 on taxes and notary fees – all in all EUR 120,000. With the final take over, of course, come costs for equipment, repairs etc. etc. But that’s not so important at the moment. The small community centered around the Venerable is now concentrated on moving in by the end of March and then to begin with the intensive meditation practice. This vision of the Venerable and his community lives on Dana, that means on the basis of donations. Dana in Buddhism generally refers to something that is given without expecting anything in return. Thus Dana represents an attitude of generosity and altruism and of letting go. The Venerable and his community ask for your support to make this vision a reality. For a voluntary donation and your goodwill, we already thank you very much in advance and dedicate the resulting merit to all beings in order to obtain perfect health and the highest satisfaction.
Namo Maitreya Buddha, Buddha of the future.
