An architect friend has come up with a stunning design for the new Centre and we need to raise an extra $250,000 to complete these renovations.
These plans include:
Overall, we'll be providing a great space for those interested in learning how to practice the Dharma. We'll be able to break into multiple groups or hold multiple classes on the same evening, making the most of our limited teaching resources. And the whole place will be well served with appropriate heating, cooling and insulation.
See all the details on our project page.
The renovations will cost a total of $1.1 million. We need $250,000 to bring the project to fruition.
Our progress to date:
Donate online via credit card Our Givealittle page Other ways to donate
Our chairperson will do 24 continuous hours of devotional ritual the weekend of October 12 & 13. Sponsor her and join in (as much as you'd like). Find out more here.
Come along to the opening - perhaps you'll even find a new piece for the house? People have donated some beautiful artworks. Find out more here.
We are organising an exhibition of donated works mid October. More details to follow, but at the moment we are seeking commitment, by September 20, from those willing to contribute work. See https://aucklandbuddhistcentre.org/news/the-great-art-exhibition-mahakala for details.
Toni Chase, Auckland mitra and creative designer, is providing space and materials at the centre for budding artists wishing to develop techniques, incorporate new ideas, or just enjoy the creative process in a supportive environment. Click here for details.
We're planning a Sangha art exhibition and a Volcano walk. Watch this space, and the newsletter, for more details.
Fancy a sound bath? We are very grateful to Danica of Soma Circle who is donating a sound immersion experience at the Auckland Buddhist Centre later this month. See here for details
Every late August since 2004 we've remembered our teacher Sangharakshita with a seven-fold puja. This year we also launched a project which will bring great benefit to those future dharma practitioners - a beautiful, spacious Auckland Buddhist Centre where new generations of Aucklanders can encounter the dharma just like we did. We started our fundraising events with an online auction of Buddhist Items which raised over $3000. Thank you to all those who bid on auction items. Almost all the items sold, and we will be putting up a few more items that made their way in to us late. The auction is on TradeMe. See our news item for details.
The architectural plans are almost finished, we are waiting for an engineer to complete their design and certification for the heating and cooling system, and then we will be able to file for Building Consent. After that, Auckland Council says it takes about a month, but more likely two months. So we might just be able to start construction in early November. We've been told that it will take six months for the build.
Our architect (is a friend of an friend): Stevens Lawson Architects