Hi I am Vimalanath from Hyderabad in South India. I was born and grew up there. I came across the TBO around the age of 15, from them I learnt meditation, Buddhism and how to practice in my daily life. When I was studying in Hyderabad I visited Nagarjunakonda for the first time and was very impressed by it, it was a great place to visit. Afterwards I learned meditation and Buddhism, I got many benefits in my daily life through practicing meditation and Buddhism. I realised everybody can get benefits from Buddhism and meditation but where I grew up there was no Meditation and Buddhism retreat centre, so again I thought "how I can help more people?", not everybody can go to the Pune or Nagpur retreat centres as they are too far and too expensive. At that point I decided to create a retreat centre in Nagarjunakonda. This will be my life's work.
So now I am in the UK and learning more skills in meditation and Buddhism. I will be here for a few more years then as soon as I have got enough funds then I will start the retreat centre in Nagarjunakonda.
May you are thinking why I chose Nagarjunakonda? Why not another place? Because Nagarjunakonda is one of the ancient places in India and Acharya Nagarjuna used to live there in the 3rd or 4th century.
Maybe you are also wondering why this retreat centre is called VIMALABHUMI? This is because I met Bhante Sangharakshita several times in the last four years and I mentioned the retreat centre to him and also I asked him for a name for it. He took a few weeks and told me the name is VIMALABHUMI, which means PURE LAND or SUKHAVATI. Vimalabhumi Retreat Centre is going to be a meditation Centre in South India - Andhrapradesh near Hyderabad. Although there are many local Buddhists in this area there is no retreat centre for them to them to go on retreat.
is going to be a meditation Centre in South India - Andhrapradesh near Hyderabad. Although there are many local Buddhists in this area there is no retreat centre for them to them to go on retreat.
We hope to provide free meditation, Buddhism and yoga classes for people who can not afford go on retreat. Such a centre would be of benefit to many people in Andhrapradesh and South India and greatly improve the quality of their lives.
Such a centre would be of benefit to many people in Andhrapradesh and South India and greatly improve the quality of their lives.
In Bhante words about Vimalabhumi retreat project.
I am very pleased that Dharmachari Vimalanath has taken the initiative in setting up a retreat centre project at Nagarjunakonda, in South India. The project is an inspiring one, and I hope it will foster the spread of the Dhamma throughout South India. When Vimalanath first spoke to me about the project, I encouraged him to go ahead, commenting that every journey starts with a single step. On his visits to me I have offered Vimalanath spiritual and emotional support. I have also made a donation via the justgiving.com website. This facility has the advantage of enabling donations to be increased via Gift Aid! I very much hope that others will follow suit and assist Vimalanath and his team in whatever way they are able, either through donations or other means. The Nagarjunakonda retreat centre will undoubtedly be an important step in the establishment of the Dhamma in South India and a valuable resource for the people of Andhra Pradesh. It will also help the TBMSG to continue the fine work they have already started in other parts of India. I hope that the Nagarjunakonda retreat centre will grow and flourish for many years to come.
(signed) Sangharakshita
Our financial target for the project is UK 40,000, and our fundraising target is UK 670/month for five years. Already we have raised 3,000 in many different ways. We would especially value regular donations which you can make through this site.
Donating through JUSTGIVING is quick, easy and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor the spread of the Buddha-Dhamma: TBO (Dhammaloka) gets your money directly and, if you are a UK taxpayer, your gift is increased by the addition of 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement.
Yours in the Dhamma,
Vimalanath
