The Story
the emergence of a Buddhist Temple in Zululand:
As you know, Gen Sangdak has already been teaching Buddhism to the rural communities in Zululand for some years now. And in the mean time a dedicated team of translators has translated 'Prayers for Meditation' and now also 'Medicine Buddha Prayers' into the Zulu language, printed them, and also recorded the Zulu chanting onto CD (which everyone very much enjoys as you can imagine...!).

A short while ago we were able to raise some funds from kind benefactors to help build a Kadampa Buddhist Meditation Room in Eshowe, northern KZN.

Then, during the past few weeks we started getting busy transforming an old and ruined double-garage,  building and transforming it into a Meditation Room in Eshowe on the grounds of the local registered CBO (Community Based Organization) where Patti, our branch teacher there and translator, is the manager. We have tried to make the members of the local Zulu communities praticipate in the building process, to make it their own project. This has so far been working very well, they very happily contribute their time and skills, though the process is understandably very, very slow.

Many rural people have been helping so far, from children to parents and grandparents, even the sick want to help and participate. This is a powerful object for accumulating great positive energy (which all of them so urgently need!!). A week ago some students from Mahasiddha Centre drove there to help for a day, to cast the concrete floor and clear and clean the grounds. It really is a very auspicious and wonderful project, it is like building a 'mini Kadampa Temple' in Africa, by and for the Africans themselves!!

To share our extraordinary and truly enjoyable experience with you we are sending out this little photo story to you.

Let us know what you think..

The opening ceremony of our new Kadampa Meditation Room in Zululand - was the Medicine Buddha Blessing Empowerment, granted by Gen Sangdak . This event was last Friday, 9th April. About 90 people (from twelve different rural communities) attended and they all very much enjoyed Buddha's blessings. All the prayers were in Zulu, and the teachings were simultaneously translated into Zulu. Most of the people already know Gen Sangdak well from his monthly visits there.

It was a very blessed and beautiful event. Everyone helped to make it a success, everything went very smooth, no obstacles at all. Almost miraculous....! Powerful seeds for bringing peace and harmony, love and compassion to Africa!

These communities find great benefit from Buddha's teachings. The regular feedback they give is truly amazing and very heart-moving indeed. Their families have become increasingly stronger and more hopeful, peaceful and harmonious, caring and loving, confident and joyful. Everyone is benefiting, the old, the middle-aged, the young, and the very young.


How you can help
If you wish to support this wonderful development that is bringing peace and harmony to our people of South Africa, by making a donation, then please
click here  to get our banking details. Please use as reference: Eshowe

We still need funds to build - a washroom with three toilets and basins
- a kitchen with all facilities
- tile the floors, approx 70m³
And there are many other different items that are needed for which we need funds.

You can also help by donating food or clothes,
or you can volunteer to make use of your skills.

Please get in touch with us and we will find a way how to utilize your kind support.

Tel: 031 4640984
Fax: 086 5133476
or email us: info@meditateindurban.org

Here is the amazing photo story of the emergence of a Buddhist temple in Zululand. Through the great kindness of some benefactors we were able to raise necessary funds for building material, and together we transformed an old and ruined double-garage in to a place of spiritual worship and practice.
The beginning....


inserting windows and raising the roof:


transforming the front into a veranda:


casting the concrete floor:


keen helpers


enjoying being part of a beautiful and very special project


 

then preparing the unfinished room that night for the
Medicine Buddha Blessing Ceremony on the following day





registration the next morning, people arriving, young and old


Buddhist prayers in isiZulu, blessing and meditation,
all teachings were simultaneously translated into isiZulu


ninety people attended this wonderful event



young and eager to learn, experiencing a warm heart and love




enjoying the blessings:


lunch time...:



kind and very joyful and kitchen volunteers:

such a very special and beneficial experience for all,
bringing happiness and hope:

Hope you enjoyed the above photo story of this very auspicious venture. Projects like this always require many resources.
If you wish to support us by making a donation,
then please click here for our account details.
Use as reference: Eshowe

If you wish to help in any other way, e.g. giving food or clothes donations, or even your skills, then please get in touch with us:
Tel. 031 4640984, or email us: info@meditateindurban.org

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