We have found a possible home
An inspiring property has come to our attention and is now the focus for the Mikyo Dorje Institute.
The property is in Wales, just over the Welsh-English border. It comprises a farmhouse, outbuildings and 67 acres of land.
Guided by the current owner, members of the project team viewed the site on the 13th April. The farmhouse is fit for immediate use, with barns and other buildings appropriate for renovation. The surrounding landscape is picturesque and its remoteness suitable to provide conditions for serious dharma studies and practice.
We envision that it can be developed into a retreat and small teaching centre.
During his recent visit to KIBI, Lama Jampa discussed the site in detail with His Holiness Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje.
His Holiness undertook a Mo (or divination), concluding that "it looks very positive for acquiring the land".
To help build conducive spiritual conditions, His Holiness Karmapa recommended the meditation and recitation of the practices of: Sitatapatra (The White Umbrella Goddess), Marichi, and Namgyalma.
A record of when these initiations were given at Dechen teachings, since 2003, in England and France, is included as an appendix.
Lama Jampa has suggested people gather weekly to recite a sadhana of our choice. Details of this activity will be available shortly. If people lack these initiations they can still generate merit for the development through reciting Samantabhadra's prayer, The King of Aspirations, and recording the recitations on the mantra tracker.
The King of Aspirations recitation tracker: https://mantras.dechen.community/
The generosity shown in support of the project has created a strong basis from which we can acquire this site. Thank you to everyone who has donated lump sums and set up standing-orders.
We know some people were hesitant about supporting the project due to the scale, condition and ambition of the previous site. However, this property, with its more moderate size and smaller scale of renovations, is commensurate with Dechen's capability to transform it into a working dharma institution.
Finances:
By the end of this calendar year we will have achieved the spending power of £800,000 - made of £3,250 monthly standing-orders (capable of servicing £300,000 approx. of borrowing) and £500,000 in cash. This will be achieved through pledges converting to cash donations, standing-order income, interest from savings, and gift aid receipts.
The asking price for the site is £1,200,000.
Therefore, a further £400,000 is required, to seal the deal, as one-off donations, standing orders to service a bigger loan, or through private loans.
Due diligence:
We will consider the following due diligence steps, having secured the Board's approval, prior to site purchase:
Pre-application advice sought from the Local Planning Authority
Highways assessment
Independent buyer’s evaluation
Structural engineer review of outbuildings, to determine their development potential
In acquiring this site, we will fulfil the first phase of Karma Thinley Rinpoche's wish and provide a tranquil and sacred site, for people to drink deeply of the Buddha-Dharma.
If you would like to get involved please contact us: info@mikyodorje.institute.
If you would like to make a donation please click here: www.mikyodorje.institute/financial-support, or talk to the team.
Appendix: Record of initiations
Sitatapatra (The White Umbrella Goddess) (Dunkar):
Initiation from The Collection of One Hundred Sadhanas of Bari Lotsawa, given 04/12/04, in Bristol, by Lama Jampa Thaye.
Marichi:
Initiation from The Collection of One Hundred Sadhanas of Bari Lotsawa, given 18/11/23, in London, by Lama Jampa Thaye.
Namgyalma:
Initiation from The Collection of One Hundred Sadhanas of Bari Lotsawa, given: 04/12/05 (Bristol), 17/03/12 (London), 25/02/18 (Manchester), 05/10/19 (Bristol), 22/08/21 (Changlochen), 26/03/22 (London), 22/08/24 (Changlochen), by Lama Jampa Thaye.
Initiation from the lineage of the 9th Karmapa, Wangchuk Dorje, given 28/02/16, in Manchester, by Lama Jampa Thaye.
Initiation of Namgyalma accompanied by the Eight Deities given 28/08/22, in London, by His Holiness Sakya Gongma Rinpoche.
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