We are glad to invite you to participate in a landmark event – setting up the very first Vihara (hermitage) in Poland for Buddhist monks and nuns of Theravada forest tradition. We are one step away from realizing our ambitions! Soon we will purchase the property – a small house that will provide essential facilities for monks and nuns staying in a hermitage and also visiting lay people. In order to take this step, we need financial support from everyone who has already been inspired by the idea of permanent Theravada Sangha in Poland, as well as those encountering this idea for the first time, who after reading about our plans want to support this remarkable endeavor, even with just a one time donation.
Our goal is to provide the monks and nuns* we support with the conditions necessary to live in accordance with the principles** of early Buddhism. The hermitage would also offer a place for visitors who want to support the Sangha and deepen their practical understanding of the Buddha’s teachings.
Imagine a small house by the forest, where you could meet a monk or nun and where you could dwell in an atmosphere of respect and trust. You could offer help with simple jobs around, you could spend a few days in a meditation hut to observe your own dependence on the convenience of the modern world, you could experience being alone far away from absorbing daily chores. If you don’t feel like this kind of withdrawal is for you at the moment, then the idea of supporting others in it could be inspiring and valuable in and of itself.
After many months of search we managed to find a plot of land with a small house. The property is in Subcarpathian Voivodeship, in a suitable place for the needs of the hermitage.
We see great potential in creating hermitage there. We want to buy the property and renovate it. The house would mainly be used to ensure modest conditions for making and eating a shared meal once a day, doing laundry, cleaning etc. Over time we will also build simple and small meditation huts (kuti), for the practice in solitude.
What is a hermitage and why is that important?
- Hermitage is an adequate and recommended by the Buddha environment in which monks and nuns can engage fully and without any compromises with a practice of contemplation and deepening understanding of the teachings of The Awakened One.
- It is a spiritual refuge, which will serve people looking for inner peace, support and guidance on the Buddhist path.
- With the presence of experienced monastic teachers, lay people will also be given the opportunity to deepen their practice and learn from the wisdom of the living tradition.
WHAT WE NEED?
Our current goal is to purchase the selected plot of land and carry out a general renovation of the property, which includes:
– Installing a domestic wastewater treatment system
– Drilling a deep well
– Adapting the house to fulfill basic functions suited to the modest needs of the hermitage residents.
We plan to carry out the renovation work ourselves, which will help us save on expenses.
To complete these stages, we need approximately 250,000 PLN (around € 60,000). This is the essential minimum required to establish the foundations of the hermitage and enable its further development.
Why could you help us now?
- You are helping to establish the Sangha in Poland: With the permanent presence of monks and nuns in Poland, we are laying the proper foundations for fully realizing the potential of the Buddha’s teachings.
- You are helping us create a place of spiritual support: Your involvement will help build a safe environment where lay people could find inspiration and receive direct guidance from those who have dedicated their lives to the practice of purifying the mind from greed, aversion, and ignorance.
- You are cultivating the practice of generosity (dāna): By offering even the smallest donation, you are caring for your own well-being – putting into practice one of the most essential Buddhist teachings: sharing what you can for the benefit of all sentient beings. The impact of generosity on the process of purifying one’s heart cannot be overstated.
Who’s behind this idea?
Bodhi Tree Foundation, the group of people who live their everyday lives backed with Buddhist values. We believe that supporting the Sangha and having the opportunity to connect with monks and nuns residing in our country will be an invaluable asset in fostering human well-being. Through this, we aim to bring qualities of morality, generosity, and inner peace into the world around us—and to inspire others to do the same by leading by example.
Our efforts are guided and advised by the Program Council represented by monks of Slovenian hermitages (Hillside Hermitage and Samanadipa), with long-term experience of living in monasteries and hermitages across Europe and Asia – Ajahn Nyanamoli, Ajahn Phasuko and Polish monk Ajahn Kondanyo, who is ready to come back to his country and start the mission of creating Sangha in Poland. It is a great honor and joy for us that a teacher with so much experience of over 18 years in robes, of great knowledge, candour and natural kindness will stay with us permanently.
A tremendous amount of work lies ahead. We know however, that by putting together our enthusiasm and confidence about the chosen path with the gentleness, wisdom, and experience of the Ajahn, along with the dedication of all supporters of our project – even with the smallest contribution – we are making the world a better place and creating a unique value for the benefit of all beings. It is a great joy that we can be part of this beautiful journey together.
How can you help our efforts?
Every penny donated to our fundraising account is a palpable action that contributes to the success of our mission. We deeply believe that by practicing dāna (generosity) – sharing what you can today – you are not only helping many people benefit from the presence of the Buddhist Sangha, but also generating welfare that brings positive fruits for the donor, both now and in the future. We sincerely encourage you to reflect on this opportunity and hope that you will choose to support this noble cause.
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*Hillside Hermitage and Samandipa Monastery in Slovenia are places of monastic practice and communities, with which we are associated. Video below may give a little insight into the environment in which the members of this Sangha live on a daily basis, which hopefully could be experienced soon also in Poland.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZZE1e-hT94
**According to the Vinaya (monastic code), a monk should not accept or handle money, cook, or store food for the next day (these tasks can be carried out by a lay assistant or a postulant). Therefore, monks are entirely dependent on the generosity and dedication of lay supporters.
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