About the Golden Buddha Centre
Buddhist talks, meditations, and the opportunity to meet like-minded people. Everyone welcome.The Golden Buddha Centre project began in 1998. Its particular aim is to help the growing number of Buddhists who are looking to live a Buddhist way of life in retirement.
The Golden Buddha Hall, purchased in May 2011, is a cosy L-shaped place which could at a pinch seat up to a hundred people and will be ideal for what it is intended for: to listen to Buddhist talks, to meditate, to attend study classes, and to meet Buddhist friends and be with like-minded people.
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Activities of the Centre:
To offer Buddhist talks, meditations, and the opportunity to meet like-minded people.
A centre unaffiliated to any teacher or tradition which hosted a variety of Buddhist activities.
The next step is to acquire a property near to the Golden Buddha Hall as soon as possible which can be used as a Buddhist Guest House. This may be just a small place initially (maybe even a flat) until a more appropriate property can be acquired. It will be used as a B&B for those who wish to attend events and also those who may be considering moving to the area to be part of the group. In the meantime, there are plenty of B&Bs in the area for those who wish to visit. Once the guest accommodation is up and running, the aim is to purchase further residences for rental by retired Buddhists.
Formed in 1998, the Golden Buddha Centre's charitable Objects are:
To establish, equip and manage a nonsectarian and ecological Buddhist centre or centres to advance the study and practice of Buddhism and living a Buddhist way of life within the Five Buddhist Precepts. A place or places which, in addition, provide for the spiritual and material needs of elderly, infirm, or sick Buddhists and their helpers.
In 2002 GBC purchased Zeal Cottage near
South Brent, Devon. In October 2008 the Trust sold Zeal Cottage in order
to move the centre to Totnes.
In August 2009 an ideal property was found in Totnes and permission for change of use from a residence to a Buddhist centre was sought in December 2009 after some consultation (and objection) from the Highways Department.
However, our application was refused in February 2010, based on the objection of the Highways Department of the Devon County Council because of the possibility of extra traffic use — despite the fact that we offered to place a restriction on car use to the property. This rejection seemed unreasonable to us as the present owner has no restriction on car use whatsoever.
We appealed the decision and eventually in July 2010 were told we had won that appeal. Unfortunately the property was sold to someone else at more or less the same time!
The Golden Buddha Hall was purchased in May 2011.
I was looking at your website, which says your intention is to
"provide facilities for retired or older Buddhists to live a Buddhist way of life."
So do you mean you hope to create a kind of retirement center, where us old folks can retire to, and still be around like minded people and an atmosphere that supports mindfulness and the eightfold path?
That would be quite an exciting idea, and something I would be interested in. But I think I must be misinterpreting.
Could you tell me more?
J M
Dear J M,
The facilities we can provide will depend on the financial resources available at any one time. We have to take each step slowly and do the easiest things first.
Our immediate step after opening the new centre, is to find a house, or units of some kind nearby, where Buddhists in retirement can live alongside like-minded people and where they are close to shops and other facilities. We are unable to provide health care of any kind at this stage, so any physical care would have to be provided in the normal way by our social and health care services. The point is to live in close proximity to other Buddhists and near to a centre for meditation and personal study. If the funds are forthcoming, we can provide more facilities later on, but we can't do everything at once.
You do have the right idea and it is an exciting one. Property here is still quite expensive, but we are working towards our objects step-by-step and will get there if that is what people want.
Do keep in touch and thank you for your interest.
Best wishes.
Richard
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Golden Buddha Centre,
The Grove, Victoria Street,
Totnes, Devon, TQ9 5EF UK
Tel: +44 (0)1803 897550
Charity No. 1072818 Registered in England No. 3562017
Trustees: Diana St Ruth and Richard St Ruth, Sir John Aske.
Patrons: Ajahn Sumedho, Amaravati Buddhist Monastery,
Jisu Sunim, DaeHungSa, Geshe Tashi Tsering, Jamyang Buddhist Centre