The idea of having three international projects began at the 2016 summer course at the Europe Center. With over one hundred projects worldwide, the sangha could easily become flooded with flyers and donation requests. Recognizing the need to focus resources, Lama Ole Nydahl wished to give direction to our efforts and enable the projects he considers the most relevant from an international perspective for the growth of the sangha to become successful.
While all projects may continue their work in their respective countries and regions, each year, three projects are selected that can be promoted internationally during that year. In general, for international promotion, it is important that a project is already operating on the basis of the efforts and resources of the local sangha. Another critical factor is the existence of a stable, legal Diamond Way organization in the country that can own and run the properties.
International projects since 2016:
2016/2017: Caracas (Venezuela), Israel, Beaufoy (London, UK)
2017/2018: Moscow (Russia), Israel, Granada (Spain)
2018/2019: Kiev (Ukraine), Tyresö (Sweden), Karma Dechen Ling (Uruguay)
2019/2020: Granada (Spain), Beaufoy (London, UK), Olympus Retreat Center (Greece)
Granada, Spain
Let’s make it shine! Together!
With Lama Ole’s blessing, the Spanish sangha bought the Villa Montserrat in 2015. Two years later, Lama Ole chose Grenada to be one of the international projects for the first time. This great opportunity made it possible to collect enough money to start “Phase 1” of the project in 2018.
Phase 1 was to fundamentally refurbish the almost one-hundred-year-old building, which is legally protected for its architectural qualities. In this phase, everything was removed, which was structurally allowed under the building’s protected status, leaving only the exterior walls standing. With the help of many friends from Spain and around the world, the sangha achieved a great deal of work. Phase 1 was finished in summer 2019, which included reinforcement of the structure, completion of the subfloor and interior walls, and the installation of electrical and heating systems.
The main goal for the coming year is to make the villa a fully functioning live-in Buddhist center. Every donation will help improve the construction of the building, and the sangha is very excited to share their developments throughout the year. Their big wish is to move into the villa and present this shining jewel to Diamond Way Buddhism and the city of Granada in the summer of 2020.
Find out more about the project at: https://letsmakeitshine.org/
London Diamond Way Buddhist Center
Renovation of the Grand Hall of the Beaufoy Institute
Diamond Way Buddhism UK had the great fortune to establish itself in the beautiful structure of the Beaufoy Institute, and it continues to transform the building into the most significant Buddhist meditation center in central London, opening its doors to everyone.
It has become the home of many Buddhists who live and take care of the center on a daily basis.
The vision for the Beaufoy is to bring new vitality to the historic building, preserve its heritage, and ensure it fulfills the needs of London’s Diamond Way Buddhist community while strengthening its connections with the rest of the world.
At the heart of the Beaufoy, there is a precious jewel—the Grand Hall. The hall is currently undergoing an extensive renovation with the voluntary help of many friends and under the guidance of our teachers, Lama Ole and Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche. The Grand Hall will manifest the most important and magnificent aspects of the Karma Kagyu tradition to inspire current and future generations towards deep practice and the Buddhist way of life.
Find out more about the project at: https://www.buddhism-london.org/fundraising/
Retreat Center on the Slopes of Mt. Olympus, Greece
The retreat center is located on the lower slopes of Mount Olympus. The land is surrounded by forest and overlooks the Gulf of Thermaikos, a crusaders’ castle, and the Aegean Sea on the horizon.
The site includes a half-finished building that is more than 2,100 square feet in size, with fifty-one windows and two verandas with breathtaking views. It is located just an hour and a half drive from Thessaloniki and twenty minutes from a long, sandy beach.
When the Thessaloniki sangha showed pictures to Lama Ole in 2013 during the phowa course in Vinica, Bulgaria, he immediately said, “We should have it.” The local sangha has been raising funds since then, and when conditions finally matured in 2017, they were able to purchase the property.
During the summer of 2018, Lama Ole visited and blessed the retreat center and named it Karma Palsang Doendrub Ling, or “Radiant Place Where Everything is Accomplished.” He also said it would be very important for our work in the Balkans, identified the location for the altar, and donated its first two statues. The sangha is raising money to connect utilities to the house and to complete the external structure so that it is protected from the elements and can be used during the winter. The plan is to achieve this in one year and invite Lama Ole to give the first course in 2020. With the support of the international Diamond Way sangha, everything is possible!
Find out more about the project at: https://www.diamondway-buddhism.gr/en/centers/olympus/
