Once Drala Jong is functioning with a sound financial footing, there are a number of projects to which we shall turn our attention. Some, such as those on food sustainability, will commence on a small scale at the outset of our work. Others, such as the operation of the centre as a focus for traditional equestrian pursuits, require specialist knowledge and facilities, will not be instigated until other more fundamental aspects of the Centre’s operation are established.
It is possible with a few acres to provide the Centre with some of its own fruit, vegetables and meat. Volunteers skilled in horticulture and influenced by modern food trends have already offered their expertise in using such land to help reduce catering costs for the Centre. This would enable the part time and long term residents at the venue to be self-sustaining in terms of food for periods of the year.
At the instigation of some ‘Friends of Sang-ngak-chö-dzong’ we will make it possible to buy a retreat hut to build at the Centre, with the right to engage in private retreat there whenever they chose and to attend group retreats at a discounted rate. We also intend to offer ‘time share retreat huts’, where individuals on limited income might group together to pay for a hut. This would increase the capacity of the centre, better enable fixed costs to be covered by additional attendees at events, and enable discounted attendance for those who have financial constraints.
Part of the Aro Tradition focus is on equestrianism. This is the inheritance of Rang-rig Togden—one of our lineage Lamas—a painting of whom is featured earlier. Many properties we have inspected have stable blocks amongst their outbuildings. Vajrayana Buddhism employs pursuits of physical coordination and dexterity such as archery—and particularly horseriding—as vehicles of teaching. Such activities are a support for formal aspects of sitting meditation. In 2005 we inaugurated an annual teaching event in Montana, USA, with horse riding as its focus – and hope that the same may be possible in Britain once a Centre is established. As interest in horse riding grows amongst Friends of Sang-ngak-chö-dzong, the Centre could offer stabling facilities both as a source of secondary revenue and to facilitate British equestrian retreats.
Buddhist practitioners who evolve to the point where they become teachers, normally have care available until they pass away. Other knowledgeable and experienced ordained practitioners however, never become full time teachers and therefore lack the care of personal students. We therefore intend to provide a venue in which the elderly ordained could be available to others in exchange for accommodation in an environment conducive to practice. Several senior practitioners in the Aro Tradition have already committed to moving to the area in which Drala Jong will be established, so that they can contribute their time, knowledge and energy to the development of the Centre. When so many elderly people grow old and die in isolation – the need to reverse this trend by creating a vibrant Buddhist community in and around the Retreat Centre is paramount.