Information about the three-year retreat for the students of Gangteng Tulku Rinpoche (and those with his consent) and the update about the construction works
As of August 2020, around five people have informed us of the interest of taking part in the first three-year retreat in Europe as soon as the construction works have finished.
Because of the Covid-19 crisis and difficulties which were created by the lack of the road that leads to the future meditation center, all the works have been delayed considerably.
As of September 2020, foundation works are in its final phase. The board members of Yeshe Khorlo Estonia have taken a decision that the works cannot be continued without the road and a drainage system around the meditation center’s site.
Therefore, to continue the works, the priority is the construction of the road (around 400 meters) which leads to the site. We have got several offers and the cheapest one is 13 000 euros.
We have now around 6000 euros which can be used for the construction of the road but much more is necessary to continue the construction works of the retreat huts and the kitchen (including a hall for gatherings). As we got one generous offering from Ukraine, the foundation works for the kitchen are also in its final phase (the main problem why the work has not been finished is the lack of the road – heavy vehicles with building materials cannot approach the site).
The cost of one retreat house is around 10 000 euros, but additional costs should be added (up to four houses: 5425 euros per each house, additional extra costs for the fifth, sixth etc house: 1900 euros as sewage system is already included):
- sewage system
- heating system (air-air pump);
- water connection;
- electricity.
All the details about the costs are thoroughly described here.
Shortly: to finish the four retreat houses and the road, approximately 67 500 euros is necessary. Every next retreat house (when the four are finished) will cost around 12 000 euros including everything. The cost of the construction of the kitchen (gathering hall) will be around 30 000 euros.
Cost for participants
The cost for the entire retreat is estimated at about 21 000 euros per participant.
From the 21 000, 6000 euros is meant to go toward construction. Participants of the retreat should first make the payment of 6000 euros for construction work and the rest can be paid later.
Foundation work for four huts are in its final phase. There is also enough money for a deep drilled well which cannot be drilled before the road is done. For the road, there is 6000 euros on the account.
Request to support building works and participants’ retreat fee
It is very possible that there may be some who wish to participate in the retreat but lack the necessary funds. In addition, Yeshe Khorlo Estonia does not have the necessary funds to finish the huts and the kitchen building.
It is only with the help of the entire Sangha that we can realize this project and give serious practitioners a chance to consecrate their full time for practice. It will benefit all of us if we can support this project. Even a small amount can be of great help!
Deadlines
Because of the corona virus and the lack of funds, the beginning time of retreat is postponed and the exact time can be told only when the sufficient funds are there to quickly complete the construction works (if the funds were here right now, it is possible to finish the construction works by autumn 2021. If there are still more people interested in starting the retreat, they should immediately contact Khenpo Karma Wangyel or their country’s coordinator.
The next step will be the meeting of all participants, and possibly a trip to Umbusi in Estonia to visit the site and discuss the necessary preparations for the retreat.
Information about the ongoing building works will be available on Yeshe Khorlo Estonia’s website (yeshekhorlo.ee). There is also information about the Yeshe Khorlo Estonia’s bank account and Paypal (https://yeshekhorlo.ee/contact/).
Yeshe Khorlo co-ordinators:
Estonia: Jako (jakojaagu@gmail.com),
Germany: Ines (ih@yeshekhorlo.de),
France: Bernard (bbodineau@9online.fr ),
Switzerland: Marion (mpgerig@bluewin.ch ),
Austria: Florian (flow.immer@gmx.at ),
Poland: Andrzej (rybszlegerr@gmail.com ),
Ukraine: Natascha (gavrylenko.natali@gmail.com).
We are looking forward to the realization of the three-year retreat site which will allow practitioners to do their practice right here in Europe with no need to travel somewhere far away – India, Bhutan or the moon as Rinpoche said – crossing cultural, culinary and other borders. We hope that there will be a sufficient number of interested candidates as well as potential sponsors so that we may realize the construction of the retreat huts as soon as possible and start the first three-year retreat in Pema Lingpa’s tradition in Europe.