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All of us here at Agama Yoga are very happy to now make a home on our new Srithanu Campus! (We own the buildings but they are built on long-term leased land, which is about the closest we can get at this time to owning property here in Thailand with our nonprofit level of operations….) The first two halls (Shiva and Shakti) were completed in 2009; the third hall, Ganesha, was completed in January 2011 and will be dedicated in spring, 2011. The land covers a space of about 7 rai (an Asian land measurement – this equals approximately 11,000 square meters and is roughly the size of Bovy Resort), and is lush and peaceful, adjoining the Chao Phao Monastery along the entire rear border of the property.  Construction began with a traditional Thai-style land blessing on 7 April, 2009. Sahajananda (Claudiu Trandafir) and Mihaiela Pentiuc joined many Agama yogis in the blessings and to help pour the concrete for the first pillar together, which was fun and muddy! (Swami Vivekananda, alas, was in Europe teaching at this time.) Agama yogini, teacher, and architectural wonder Kirsten Reiss drew up all of the design plans and assisted project manager and Agama yogi Yogesh, who put in nonstop, very long days over a span of months to see the building plans through to successful completion. We owe them both a lot of gratitude for their heroic efforts and humble Karma Yoga. Heart-felt thanks to you both, Yogesh and Kirsten!  Along the way, we also held a Seva Day or two, at which the Agama yogi community joined forces to assist the construction crew with building, moving materials, and landscaping. Swami even got into the act, hauling beams and proving his physical vitality matches his mental prowess! Shiva and Shakti Halls are beautiful and spacious, whereas the more intimate Ganesha is for smaller more advanced groups, meetings, meditations, and TTC practicums. All halls are cool even on hot days, and built in an ecologically sound and sustainable manner. We are very pleased to welcome our students to classes, workshops, and retreats in these new halls! Although Agama continues to rent Bovy Resort, we have officially and permanently moved workshops and retreats to their new home here. Additionally in 2011, a pond was created on the land, surrounded by a tranquil walking meditation path and seating platforms for contemplation and rest. Agama held a grand opening of the first two halls in January 2010, at which time we welcomed the monks of our neighboring monastery, held some auspicious feasting, and generally made merry on this very special occasion. We hope to also welcome you soon to the new land and halls…. |
