Projects

Phase One – The Core Project

The objectives are:

  1. To establish a venue suitable for hosting all existing British retreats currently arranged by Sang-ngak-chö-dzong. This requires the capability to house and feed up to 35 people – the maximum size for a group permitting personal interaction between course leaders and participants. It is anticipated the emphasis of Year One will see major redevelopment and redecoration to prepare the Centre for full use.
  2. To establish a centre capable of growing organically – so that it will be
    • a. capable of hosting the full array of Vajrayana Buddhist study and practice, and
    • b. fulfilling all of the charitable objectives of as outlined in Phase Two. This requires a property with buildings suitable for conversion for use as workshops and further accommodation.
  3. To ensure that venue is financially self-sufficient, and does not drain core financial resources of the charity once established. This requires a minimal mortgage, and a sound management plan.
  4. To build a facility that does not place long term reliance on income streams entirely outside the direct charitable objectives of Sang-ngak-chö-dzong. It is however accepted that we may need to offer the hire of our facilities for suitable but unrelated activities by non-Buddhist and unrelated groups e.g. for workshops on hatha yoga, modern crafts etc.

The cost estimate of £500,000 for a suitable property is based on market research into either good condition sites already fit-for-purpose, or development sites with a lower initial capital outlay but which require investment for improvement. An example of the former which was on the market in South Wales in late 2006 follows:

‘A detached original period farmhouse, extended, with seven bedrooms, two bathrooms and a WC, Lounge, Dining Room Kitchen, and Laundry Room. 6 acres of land suitable for growing vegetables and grazing animals for limited site self-sufficiency, with small woodland coppice. Perfect environment and ambience for meditation and retreat. A range of stone barns currently used as an art and craft centre [capable of conversion for accommodation], including display areas, cafeteria, kitchen, 2 WCs, multiple stores, workrooms, and large display areas, with ancillary storage buildings all possessing potential for use for crafts, workshops or further accommodation.’

Our business plan demonstrates that our project aims will be better than cost-neutral by Year Three of the plan, and would remain consistently in profit thereafter. Profits would be ploughed back into the general charitable works of Sang-ngak-chö-dzong.

Phase Two – Ancillary Projects

Today, without a retreat centre, Sang-ngak-chö-dzong needs to fill the venues it hires in order to cover the operating costs of each event. There are many events and activities, large and small and of varying duration, which would be made more viable in a permanent centre staffed by full time and by part time volunteer teachers and helpers. Some of these opportunities would be realisable in the second phase of the project in Year Three and thereafter.

  1. A broader range of Buddhist teaching
  2. Teachings and workshops which compliment Buddhism
  3. Buddhist Art – thangka painting
  4. Buddhist Craft etc.
  5. The physical yogas of Trul’khor, sKu-mNyé, and A-tri.
  6. Buddhist Vajrayana Dance – gar’cham
  7. A permanent home for lineage treasures
  8. A Vajrayana Buddhist library for practitioners, academics, and children

Should you wish to sponsor one individual programme detailed below a specific donation would be most welcome. You can contribute the whole cost of a project, or part thereof. Costs are detailed below. Should a single donor sponsor an entire project we would acknowledge that gift in, by an invitation to the opening of the centre and the specific facility sponsored, private time with our Spiritual Directors Ngak’chang Rinpoche and Khandro Déchen, through naming elements of the facility after our donors, or by some other mutually agreeable token. Major donors will be invited to attend specific events and retreats at the centre free of charge.