Eugene
Buddhist Priory
Eugene, Oregon
Special Events and
Announcements
Eugene Buddhist Priory
“Temple of Boundless Compassion”
Guest Residence Alms Update
December 6, 2006: Thank you to all who have responded to our alms appeal for the new guest residence. We are within several thousand dollars of our total goal of $50,000. We have also received numerous gifts-in-kind, for which we are very grateful: fencing, gate posts, gates, wire caging for trees, lumber for a deck or walkway, carpet, molding, bathroom sink & cabinet, doors, cabinets, beds, end tables, book shelves, and offerings of help with cabinet-making and lumber.
Need: We could still use a dozen 7 ft. metal fence T-stakes and 6 - 60# bags of cement mix.
Guest Residence Alms Letter
October 9, 2006
Dear Friend,
Greetings from the Temple of Boundless Compassion! We pray you are well and your life fulfilling and peaceful. We are writing to invite your participation in the construction of a Guest Residence at the Priory. Its primary purpose is to provide living space for an additional monk (or two), as well as offer opportunities for long-term lay residents and private retreats for sangha members. The new hall will also accommodate occasional monastic visitors and overnight lay guests traveling between our Order temples.
This expansion was anticipated when we applied in 1989 for our county conditional use permit. We have talked with the planning and building departments and have a good sense of what they will approve within the parameters of our original permit. Two priory members are underwriting the cost of a consultant/contractor who is familiar with building codes & inspectors in our area and who is working out the design details. He will also see us through the project, facilitating volunteer labor and organizing additional hired assistance as needed.
We already have $30,000 designated in savings for the building and estimate that we will need another $20,000 to complete the project. We welcome your outright gifts or pledges spread out over the next three years. All offerings great and small are greatly appreciated. For perspective, a $25 donation would complete one square foot of the building.
The Guest Residence will extend perpendicular to the west side of the main hall (left as you enter front doors), adjacent to the rear side door. We envision a covered breezeway to connect the two buildings and a covered walkway (cloister) extending along the building’s south side sheltering entrances (see drawing below). Planned for approximately 800 square feet, the residence will consist of three rooms, a bathroom with shower, and storage space. One living space will be fitted with counters, cabinets, and a sink in order to serve as a residents’ common room, a crafts room for indoor projects, and over-night guest accommodation. One room might be used by the prior, in which case the present prior’s room could be used as a resident’s room, a retreat space, a memorial shrine, sacristy, or library annex.
We have begun site preparation, which will extend through the fall and winter. We hope to begin foundation work in the spring and complete at least one living space by next fall. The extent to which we are able to complete, finish, and furnish this new building will depend in large part on gifts-in-kind—construction materials (lumber, windows, doors, etc.), carpet, cabinets, furnishings etc., or loan of tools—and volunteer labor. Offerings of service can range from skilled labor to simple tasks such as holding boards for nailing. We’ll have work for the young ones and arrange childcare if needed. Some of the tasks ahead include:
- tree removal; wood cutting, splitting & stacking
- transplanting of ferns, small trees & ornamental plants
- relocating and extending garden fence & gates
- foundation excavation and preparation; concrete pour
- carpentry, framing, roofing, plumbing, wiring, insulating
- hanging sheetrock, mudding & taping, painting
- indoor cabinetry and finish work
- purchasing & transportation of materials; running errands; “go for” on work days
- daily & project clean-up, trash disposal & dump runs
- coordinating work days & specific projects
- preparing meals, dishes, tea & food for work days
- bake and yard sale: organizing, hosting, staffing; donating, pricing & transporting items
- communication & publicity; fundraising
- child care or help with transportation to school activities
- other help you may think of and want to offer
All donations are tax-deductible (the priory is a non-profit religious organization incorporated in Oregon) and may be made in memory or honor of a specific person or cause. When the residence is completed, we will display a plaque with all the merit recipients listed.
We have created an email list to update interested parties regarding needs and work parties. If you would like to be included, please return this email to Guest Residence, return the enclosed pledge card, or call at 541-344-7377. We will also keep an updated list of needed materials and items posted at Eugene Buddhist Priory Special Events and Announcements.
Thank you for allowing us to extend our alms bowl to you and for any offering you can make. We genuinely wish for you continued happiness, long life, and success in spiritual practice, whatever form that takes. May all that we accomplish through this endeavor benefit all beings.
Sincerely, and with gratitude,
Rev. Oswin Hollenbeck, Prior
Eugene Buddhist Priory
Copyright © 2006 The Eugene Buddhist Priory
Last updated
October 17, 2006