The Western Retreat Center

Retreat Land Vision

The following vision was developed by Sangha members who attended a workshop on January 4, 2008 at the San Francisco Center.

As wished by our group as well as Lama Ole and Caty, the land will be developed slowly. As stated by Caty, “the future will show how fast we can develop the land as this is uniquely depending on future donations by the region. If this land is appropriate for national use, this will manifest itself. For now, we only have to secure the land and start by slowly building some of the cabins.”

CA Retreat Land Idea

This land provides an excellent opportunity to build a self-sustainable, accessible, inspirational retreat center where sangha members can go 365 days a year to meditate together. This land offers:

• Great space for individual and group retreats
• Unique proximity to the San Francisco Bay Area. Within 1-2 Hours of 3 international airports
• Support of sangha members from both the West and other US Regions. As shown in the details of this document, our American sangha members have already pledged their spiritual, financial and physical support to the development of a retreat center in California
• Inspiring views of the Diablo and Monterey Coastal ranges, as well as acoustical and visual privacy. On a clear day, one can see the Sierras in the distance to the East. In addition, the parceling and land use designations of Mission Ridge Ranch provide for minimal future development or close neighbors.

Year 1

• Develop master plan for sustainable, off-the-grid, green living.
• Build platforms and beginning foundations for initial camping, cooking and residing on land.
• Build 2-3 Meditation huts.
• Build restroom facility with septic system.
• Plan and develop initial 1,200 sf building.
• Hold work retreats.
• Create meditation camps with tents.
• Offer individual retreats in Meditation huts.
• Ensure road improvements and accessibility.

Year 2

• Hold seasonal courses.
• Offer personal weekend and long-term retreats.
• Build more huts.

Year 3

• Develop and plan for expanding the house or building larger house structure.
• Start plans for gompa
• Start planning for national course

Year 5

• People living there full-time and caring
• Build out or enlarge gompa
• Hold a national course
• Continue seasonal courses and personal retreats