Extension Archives - Dhammacari Vipassana Meditation Center

Sponsor for doors & tiles, Helpers for construction site

Dear friends in Dhamma,

Our appeal on July 28 is already bearing fruit:

We have already found eight door sponsors and two tile sponsors for the 30 doors of our extension.

Much metta to all who are supporting this expansion of the meditation center.
May your generosity flow back to you in many ways.

Who would like to become a door sponsor and donate €800?

There is still

1 door for the report room,

3 doors for Hildegard’s apartment,

7 x room doors

6 x bathroom doors

4 x toilet doors

1 x office door

Who would like to sponsor tiles

Tiles worth

€600 are needed for each of the 10 bathrooms.

€500 is needed for each of the 2 toilet rooms.

How can you donate?

When making a transfer to the association’s account, please state the purpose
of the respective sponsorship.

Account details:

Sparkasse Erding-Dorfen

IBAN DE74 7005 1995 0010 1839 03

BIC BYLADEM1ERD

A lot of work was done on the south facade last week… a particular challenge for the meditators, who had a lot of “hearing, hearing, hearing” to acknowledge.

The facade of the existing outer rooms has now also been clad with wood and blends in beautifully with the new appearance.

Inside, work is now underway on the floor construction: a layer of paper and then the slats…before the lime gravel fill can be added as impact sound insulation.

…and the call for construction helpers is still ongoing.

Who can help with the current work?

We look forward to your feedback.

With Metta,

Your Dahmmacari Team

A minor miracle

Dear friends in Dhamma,

Since our last Dana appeal, a total of €2,685 has been donated in addition to the monthly standing orders.

Many thanks to everyone who has contributed.

Idaṃ dāna-kammaṃ nibbāna-paccayo hotu, no niccaṃ
May this work (kamma) of giving be a condition for Nibbāna for you forever.

As described in the previous email, financial resources are running low and further funds are needed to finance the upcoming work in August and September, in order to then also draw on the subsidy from KfW Bank.

With the completion of the work on the heating system, our heating engineer was able to invoice us for the entire job… and to his and our surprise, the total cost of materials and labor hours was considerably lower than originally calculated.

Since some of the plastering work can only be done in the fall, there is still some money available for the work in August….

So it continues!

The fact that the situation has turned out this way for August allows me to look back on the creation of Dhammacari as I, Angelika, experienced it:

When I started practicing this Vipassana technique according to the Most Venerable Ajahn Tong almost 24 years ago, with Hildegard as my teacher, after the first retreats I felt that it was not enough for these retreats to take place only twice a year in different places. It should be possible to do such retreats on a permanent basis.

When I told Hildegard about this, her response was that she had long since received a “request” from Ajahn Tong to establish a permanent place in Germany.
So now there were two of us with this inner mission.

We talked about it again and again and exchanged ideas on how to make it happen: How do you find the right place? And where will the financial resources come from? …and we also took a few concrete steps.

Then Robert began practicing meditation with Hildegard and offered to make a larger financial contribution to help realize this project.

So we were able to start looking for a suitable location… and that too is a wonderful story with many coincidences…

…and Sonnenthal was found… and there are stories of coincidences here too…

Of course, none of this happens by itself; a lot of work and effort by many people goes into this project. …and many times I felt the spiritual push: “Keep going, it wants to be finished!”

At the time, some people had doubts as to whether it was really necessary to found such a meditation center…after all, things had worked fine up to that point.

After almost 20 years, I am certain that there are many people who are glad that we followed that impulse back then.

Now, with the expansion, we are in the midst of a major growth process that is not only taking place on a material level, but also, and above all, requires spiritual growth and transformation.

We consider ourselves fortunate that we were able to consult our Most Venerable Ajahn Tong at the beginning of the expansion process. His advice and answers still guide us today.

Just as beautiful coincidences have repeatedly paved the way for us throughout this expansion process, enabling us to implement the project step by step, the latest developments show once again that it is nearing completion and that the doors will soon open for many more seekers on the path of Dhamma.

Dana for the doors

The doors should also be ordered soon.

Who would like to become a door sponsor and donate €800?

There is:

1 door for the report room,
4 doors for Hildegard’s apartment,
10 x room doors
10 x bathroom doors
4 x toilet doors
1 x office door

Dana for tiles in the bathrooms

Who would like to become a tile sponsor:

Tiles worth

€600 are needed for each of the 10 bathrooms.

€500 is needed for each of the 4 toilet rooms.

How can you donate?

When making a transfer to the association’s account, please state the purpose
of the respective sponsorship.

Account details:

Sparkasse Erding-Dorfen

IBAN DE74 7005 1995 0010 1839 03

BIC BYLADEM1ERD

Construction helpers in August

Who can help with the work in August or September?

For a few days? …a week? Longer or shorter?

Who would like to contribute to the success of the project in this way?

There are a few steps in the floor construction process that can be easily done by helpers. Currently, a layer of cardboard is being laid out and secured to prevent spillage. We are also looking for helpers to build the battens for installing the impact sound insulation…and we still need a few people to help distribute the fill for the impact sound insulation.

With Metta

Your Dhammacari-Team

Helper’s wanted

Dear friends in the Dhamma,

Great progress is being made on the building site.

The raw installation for the sanitary facilities has been completed and half of the copper pipes for the heating system have already been installed. And the rough installation by the electricians is also almost complete.

After the second action with the reed mats, there was still some follow-up work for helpers: re-stapling, the trellis wall in the new maditation room, re-cutting the edges and other tasks that could easily be done by helpers.

If we convert the volunteer hours into wages, this already adds up to a considerable Dana amount.

A huge thank you and lots of metta to Miroslav, Dusan, Petra, Lena, Lisa, Philip, Heidi, Robert, David… who have given their all to ensure that the building project continues to flourish.

And we also had great and joyful support in the garden from Noah, who worked for a whole week after his retreat, so that many areas have been spruced up again.

True to the motto of our revered teacher, the Most Venerable Ajahn Tong, who liked to recommend “sweep out and start” for new meditation locations/centers, we were able to celebrate our evening chanting in the new meditation room in the first days of April:

Helpers wanted!

We are now under time pressure due to the clay plastering work scheduled for June. As a group of new craftsmen are coming for the clay plastering work, who have already reserved the time for us for some time, everything has to be prepared for the plastering work in May.

Openings in the walls still need to be closed
Sand off old lime paint from a few walls with a sander and vacuum cleaner
After the electrical work in the first week of May, the last areas are to be covered with reed mats.
the openings in the ceilings, which were necessary for the pipes, have to be closed with concrete.
Ronald can always use helpers for simple and qualified carpentry work.
The coming weekend of May 1 – 4 or 5 would be ideal, as Daniel will be here again and can supervise the work with the reed mats.

Who has time to come for a few days or longer in May?

There are also tasks in June, probably mainly on the façade. However, as soon as the clay plaster work allows, the Fermazell panels will also be installed in the bathrooms. This requires above all a desire to get to work, to cut and screw on the panels as required. Helpers can also do this after a short briefing.

Edward has already started to close the openings in the walls, as far as report times allow:

Loans + donations + permanent donations

As already announced in the previous newsletters, we now want to continue the construction until completion…so that more places for meditators will be available as soon as possible.

This work makes it possible to express appreciation for the growth in the Dhamma. Every giving also causes an echo in the giver, the joy of giving and supporting deeply moves us and strengthens the direction in which we give this form of energy.

Who would like to participate?

There are now several ways of financing the project:

Which of you can provide loan money for this project? Please let us know how much you can provide interest-free and for how long.

There are already a few offers and we are still clarifying the form to define this clearly in writing and, above all, legally.

Who is willing to give Dana for the following works?

As always, any amount is welcome, once or several times.

And more permanent donors are needed to ensure a continuous flow of money.

Who will become a permanent donor and is prepared to give €100 or more per month for a year or longer?

How can you give?

When making the transfer, please state
purpose “Extension”
and in the case of a standing donation also
“standing order”.

We would also be pleased to hear from you if you are participating and whether you can commit for 1 year or longer.
As always, the transfer is made to the association account:

Dhammacari Vipassana Meditatioszentrum e. V.
Sparkasse Erding-Dorfen
IBAN DE74 7005 1995 0010 1839 03

With Metta
Your Dhammacari Team

Hildegard + Helper’s wanted + Further Donations – update

Dear friends at Dhamma,

Hildegard has now extended her stay at the rehabilitation facility in Tenerife until April 13th. The treatments and the climate are supporting her very well in her healing process.

Hildegard is very touched by the generous gifts of gratitude she has received for her stay and she sends metta to all.

Helpers wanted!

Preparatory work for the clay plaster is planned for the end of February. The reed mats must be stapled to the wooden walls. As the heating engineers will be installing the heating pipes on the outer walls at the beginning of March, these areas need to be worked on in advance. The interior walls can then be fitted bit by bit.

In total, there are around 1000 square meters of wall surfaces.

A little later, there will be a task in the bathrooms:

The areas that will be tiled need a substrate of Fermacell drywall panels. This is also a task for construction enthusiasts, which can be done well on their own.

Who would like to help?

This is also a great dana for growth in the Dhamma.

Please let us know on which days/how long you can come.

We look forward to your feedback!

Further permanent donations...

The number of permanent donors has now grown to 57….

Great joy!

Robert has already given another big Dana of 300.000€ in January.

This covers most of the ongoing work, such as windows, roofing and some of the plumbing/heating work.

We are very touched by all the gifts that are flowing into this building.

May all who support this project be blessed and sustained in many ways.

Loans + donations + permanent donations

As already announced in the previous newsletters, we now want to continue the construction until completion…so that more places for meditators will be available as soon as possible.

There are now several ways of financing the project:

Which of you can provide loan money for this project? Please let us know how much you can provide interest-free and for how long.

There are already a few offers and we are still clarifying the form to define this clearly in writing and, above all, legally.
Who is willing to give Dana for the following works?

As always, any amount is welcome, once or several times.
And more permanent donors are needed to ensure a continuous flow of money.

Who will become a permanent donor and is prepared to give €100 or more per month for a year or longer?

How can you give?

When making the transfer, please state
purpose “Extension”
and in the case of a standing donation also
“standing order”.

We would also be pleased to hear from you if you are participating and whether you can commit for 1 year or longer.
As always, the transfer is made to the association account:

Dhammacari Vipassana Meditatioszentrum e. V.
Sparkasse Erding-Dorfen
IBAN DE74 7005 1995 0010 1839 03

....an a short report from the construction site

“The curtain rises”….the large window in the new meditation room will soon be glazed and preparations are already underway.

We have now called in a local carpentry firm to work on the roof. The roof will soon be covered with tiles. A crane has been set up again for this and Robert is already practicing so that he can transport the pallets with the roof tiles onto the roof with pinpoint accuracy.

With Metta
Your Dhammacari Team

Hildegard + Our Construktion Site + Further Donations

Dear friends in the Dhamma,

We hope you had a good start to the New Year.

Hildegard started the new year with a journey. During her visiting days here at Dhammacari around Christmas, she found a suitable healing place on Tenerife: a rehabilitation clinic that specializes in neurological cases, among others. She receives suitable treatments and therapies there to improve her physical situation.

The clinic is, of course, barrier-free, which means Hildegard can move around more independently again.

The warm temperatures are very beneficial and allow her to spend a lot of time outdoors
The original reservation until the end of January has now been extended until February 11 and Hildegard is still waiting for the confirmation until the end of February.

She can still finance part of her stay from the dana she received for treatment at the TCM clinic in 2023. There have already been meditators who have given her more dana for this. If you would like to support Hildegard, please contact us by e-mail for the account details.

Our building site

The building site itself is still a little quiet. Ronald has been back here since January 7th, working on some areas and preparing the next major work steps. Last week Daniel, a meditator who contributes his skills as a carpenter, was here for a few days. The canopy for the new entrance area has already been installed.

Here you can already see the roofing for the new entrance, which Ronald and Daniel installed last week.

…and here is a view of the canopy that will be added to the south side.

Some of the windows have already been installed….

When Hildegard arrived here on December 20th, the windows were installed in her new rooms on the same day.

The large window openings in the meditation room and the dining room have been announced for February.

There will be further construction meetings over the next few weeks so that the following trades, such as plumbing, electrical and heating, can start work in February. There are many details that need to be carefully discussed with the architects and tradesmen

…and in all of this you can feel the good spirit that accompanies the whole project.

Further permanent donations...

The number of permanent donors has now grown to 56…
lots of metta again for this great support for the building project.
Sabrina canceled a few unimportant insurance policies and was able to round up her permanent donation to €100….

A generous Dana of €15,000 was also given by Valentina and Sever. Both have been giving generously every month since the start of construction …

And Michael has also given a generous dana of €12,000, moving the project closer to completion.

We are very touched by all the gifts that are pouring in for this building, which indicates a clear growth for the Dhamma in our Western Sangha.

May all who support this project be blessed and sustained in many ways.

The next stages of construction

Our credit is now shrinking and we need further large sums for these trades.

Around €150,000 for the heating and €100 – 150,000 for the electrical installation, depending on the progress of the construction and when the individual work steps can be carried out.
The carpenters’ work on the roof and the roofing will incur further costs.

At the same time, the first work on the sanitary facilities is also necessary,

…so further costs here too.

Loans + donations + permanent donations

As already announced in the previous newsletters, we now want to continue the construction until completion…so that more places for meditators will be available as soon as possible.

There are now several ways of financing the project:

Which of you can provide loan money for this project?

Please let us know how much you can provide interest-free and for how long.

There are already a few offers and we are still clarifying the form to define this clearly in writing and, above all, legally.

Who is willing to give Dana for the next trades?

As always, any amount is welcome, once or several times.
And more permanent donors are needed to ensure a continuous flow of money.

Who will become a permanent donor and is prepared to give €100 or more per month for a year or longer?

How can you give?

When making the transfer, please state
purpose “Extension”
and in the case of a standing donation also
“standing order”.

We would also be pleased to hear from you if you are participating and whether you can commit for 1 year or longer.
As always, the transfer is made to the association account:

Dhammacari Vipassana Meditatioszentrum e. V.
Sparkasse Erding-Dorfen
IBAN DE74 7005 1995 0010 1839 03

With Metta
Your Dhammacari Team

Shell construction & Dana Call – Progress

Dear friends in the Dhamma,

Before we retire to the retreat, here is a construction report:

Last Saturday the roof was closed with the last panels.

Robert in action with the last plate, sure-footed and free from giddiness…

The afternoon coffee could therefore take place on the roof…. and somehow Angelika was also conjured up on the roof…

And here everything is well packed again…

he last timber delivery will arrive next Friday and there will now be a break in work for about a week. The work will then continue until shortly before Christmas, and the roof covering with tiles is planned for next year.

The topping-out ceremony is planned for December 18, with the craftsmen and planners also attending. This is a traditional ceremony at which a topping-out speech is spoken by the carpenters to bless the new building and the builders express their appreciation for everyone involved in the construction work.

We are looking for 100 long-term donors

The number of monthly permanent donations has now grown to 49….almost half!

Maximiliano has pledged a permanent donation of a
further €1,000 for one year.

….thus 10 places of the permanent donations have been taken over

And Ronald, our master carpenter, has also pledged a permanent donation.

We are delighted together with them and with everyone else who supports this project.

Why does it need long therm donors?

In order to be able to carry out the other trades following the shell construction,

such as exterior cladding, heating electrical installations, plumbing, flooring, etc., the further financial resources are required.
We will announce the expected costs shortly.
The contracts will then have to be awarded to the contractors soon.

As we now want to complete the construction without further breaks, we will also accept private loans if necessary. The KfW grant of €375,000 must be drawn down by April 2026 at the latest. This is only possible if the building is fully functional.

In order to repay these loans step by step, we will need continuous donations:

If someone wants to end after 1 year, he/she should be replaced by new permanent donors.
Of course it is also welcome to give a higher monthly amount.

Who is willing to support this growth for the Dhamma in this way?

This project can be shared by many people.
Everyone can play a part in creating this “rock in the surf” in these turbulent times.

Another 51 permanent donors are needed

Who will join in?
Who will become a permanent donor with €100/month for a year or longer?
As always, every contribution is welcome!

Furthermore, one-time or repeated offerings of Dhamma in any amount are also welcome and meritorious. Everyone can make a contribution within their means to make the Dhamma accessible to many people.

How can you donate?

Please indicate in the bank transfer
purpose “Extension building”
and in the case of a standing donation also
“standing order”.

We would also be pleased to receive a message from you if you are participating and whether you can pledge for 1 year or longer.

As always, the transfer is made to the association account:

Dhammacari Vipassana Meditation Center e. V.
Sparkasse Erding-Dorfen
IBAN DE74 7005 1995 0010 1839 03
BIC BYLADEM1ERD

As in previous years, we have scheduled a special retreat time from 6.12. – 6.1., when only experienced meditators are in the house and we therefore also have the opportunity to do one or more retreats.

I – Angelika – am particularly looking forward to this, as hardly any breaks were possible last year and I feel really “retreat-ready”…

We also wish you a truly silent time
With Metta
Your Dhammacari-Team

Hildegard / Shell construction / Dana Call – Update

Dear friends in the Dhamma,

It is time for another report.

Hildegard is still undergoing follow-up treatment. The progress is good and she is training diligently.

The treatment there will certainly take another 2 weeks and we will see what further steps are then possible.

Hildegard would like to thank you very much for all your good wishes for her recovery and your metta for her healing process. She still feels very supported by it.

Our shell construciton is growing....

And here in Dhammacari, the building shell is growing upwards. So far, despite the fog, some rain and snow, the weather conditions have been so good that the carpenters have been able to work continuously. As rain has been forecast for tomorrow, they are even working until 22:00 today so that they can still cover everything up nicely.

Site visit by Ellen, one of our architects, here together with Robert and Ronald, our master carpenter.

This will be the view from the large window in the meditation room

Robert, Alexander and Julian, Ronald our master carpenter, Ellen, Christoph und Torben

The second storey ceiling is screwed down…..

….and protected with foil

….finished…

The first binder takes its place……

….and gradually all the others…

The first roof surfaces above the meditation room….

…and here you will soon be meditating: a view of the future meditation room with the large window opening.

The entire shell is covered with a thin insulating layer of wood fiber boards, which also serves as weather protection and seals all window openings until the windows are installed.

The tall crane not only moves heavy components….it also serves as a climbing frame for the carpenters to take beautiful panoramic photos…

…yes, we also had sunny days again…

We are looking for 100 permanent donors

The number of monthly permanent donations has now grown to 36….has already reached 1/3…

Many thanks to all those who express their appreciation for this Dhamma project on a monthly basis for a year or more.

Traditionally, the Buddha’s teachings are preserved and growth is encouraged through voluntary giving.
Here at Dhammacari we have also been passing on the teachings on a danabasis for more than 18 years. Only in this way is it possible to make the teachings accessible to all people.
Thus, not only the foundations, such as the house and previous expansion steps, but also the ongoing operation have been supported on a Danabasis.

This project can be shared by many people.
Everyone can play a part in creating this “rock in the surf” in these turbulent times.

Another 64 permanent donors are needed

Who will join in?
Who will become a permanent donor with €100/month for a year or longer?
As always, every contribution is welcome!

Furthermore, one-time or repeated offerings of Dhamma in any amount are also welcome and meritorious. Everyone can make a contribution within their means to make the Dhamma accessible to many people.

How can you donate?

Please indicate in the bank transfer
purpose “Extension building”
and in the case of a standing donation also
“standing order”.

We would also be pleased to receive a message from you if you are participating and whether you can pledge for 1 year or longer.

As always, the transfer is made to the association account:

Dhammacari Vipassana Meditation Center e. V.
Sparkasse Erding-Dorfen
IBAN DE74 7005 1995 0010 1839 03
BIC BYLADEM1ERD

With Metta
Your Dhammacari-Team

Easter surprise! —No April fool’s joke! ….and a Invitation

Dear friends in the Dhamma,
We would like to share this great joy with you all:

On the full moon, two large dana amounts arrived in the association account.
With the additional amounts
more than 83.000 €
of the current target of
100.000 €
have been raised.

Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu! And just the day before, we were given an amount of
300.000 €
was promised for the summer.

Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!

May the metta of all meditators reach you and may this merit of giving be a condition for the real Happiness.

This generous Dana blessing has now given us the planning security to place the order with the timber construction company.

We are still working on incorporating the final details into the plans. However, the lead time for the timber construction company is 3-4 months ….., so it was necessary to take this step now. This means that the shell can be erected in August.

We are already very close to the milestone, but we still need more joyful giving!

May many more of you experience the joy of giving that comes from supporting and growing the Dhamma.
And as always, any amount, large or small, is welcome, please don’t be shy
….es counts to be there!

How can you donate?

To our association account with the purpose:
“Extension“

Dhammacari Vipassana Meditation Center e. V.
Sparkasse Erding-Dorfen
IBAN DE74 7005 1995 0010 1839 03

Helpers for the demolition

The dismantling of the existing house – especially the roof, roof truss and boarding – is scheduled to begin on July 16. About 2 weeks are planned for this. Ronald, our master carpenter, will supervise and coordinate the work. More helpers are needed. You are welcome to get in touch now.

Invitation for the Dhammatalks given by Ven. Phra Ajahn Ofer

Venerable Phra Ajahn Ofer has been our guest teacher for a few weeks now. After our evening devotion on Sunday, which is transmitted via Skype, Phra Ofer gives us a Dhammatalk.
These teachings are very valuable for meditation practice and there is the opportunity to ask questions afterwards.

If you would like to receive the access link, please contact us by e-mail. We will then add you to the mailing list.

With Metta

Your Dhammacari-Team

The Extension-Building … it’s growing..

Dear friends in the Dhamma,

We want to share the joy of the growing Dhamma contribution with you.

In the meantime, since the first appeal at the end of February, a little more than

25.000€

have arrived in the association’s account.

Already 1/4 of the amount needed to place the order.

Lots of metta to all the generous donors.

The whole project has also benefited from a particularly generous gesture.

Project: our timber construction specialist Wilfried, who is also part of our planning team and who is also in contact with the timber construction company, hasus the full bonus that he would normally receive from the company for he normally receives from the company for placing an order. With this 15% of the amount for the shell construction, this results in a saving of around savings of around €75,000 for the extension project. Ellen and Karl-Heinz, our two architects, are also continuing to provide their expert planning work for this Dhamma project as a generous donation.

Again, we send lots of metta…
may the merits come back to all who are giving in many ways.

That’s great donation as well for all who are happy about the garden around.

Helpers wanted

In the last newsletters we have already reported on the further steps towards the shell construction (you can also read more below).

Preparations for the building shell are progressing well. We are in contact with the craftsmen and plan to start the concrete work around mid-July.

Before that, we still need a few appointments with helpers to clear out the rooms that are being converted in the existing building. Helpers are already welcome to get in touch.

We also need a few more helpers in addition to the professional carpenters for the dismantling (roof truss and wooden boarding) from mid-July.

Who can imagine giving a working dana in order to grow and strengthen the Dhamma in this way and make it possible for many people….?

To give the order to the timber construction company,
still needs:

75 people who are giving 1,000 € each

And as always: any amount, large or small, is welcome, so please don’t be shy
….it counts to take part!

How can you donate?

To the association account with the purpose:
“Extension“

Dhammacari Vipassana Meditation Center e. V.
Sparkasse Erding-Dorfen
IBAN DE74 7005 1995 0010 1839 03

With Metta
Your Dhammacari-Team

The extension building….

Dear friends in the Dhamma,

The time has come!

In the last few weeks some issues have been clarified so that we can get the energy boost for the next step.

On Wednesday, February 28, Robert, Ellen, Karl-Heinz (our two architects), Ronald and Angelika will go to the timber construction company to discuss the cost estimate and further details on the execution.

Ronald, who already supported us last year with his skills as a master carpenter, is ready to erect the building together with his colleagues.

The trades that are relevant to energy efficiency are to be carried out for the entire next construction phase. This includes the shell and roof, the windows, the heating and probably also the external cladding of the building.

These are necessary in order to call up the confirmed funding amount of € 375,830.00.

The construction project is currently benefiting from the fact that construction prices are somewhat more moderate again.
In addition, we see the possibility of bridging the amount of the subsidy with loan money for a short time in order to achieve the relevant construction phases and thus a large part of the sum still required.

An important and big step,
that our growing community of meditators needs.

Every contribution is welcome.

To place the order with the timber construction company,
it needs now
100 people
who are willing to give
1.000 € each

And as always, any amount, large or small, is welcome, so please don’t be shy
….it counts to take part.

How can donations be made?

To our association account with the purpose:
“Extension building”

Dhammacari Vipassana Meditation Center e. V.
Sparkasse Erding-Dorfen
IBAN DE74 7005 1995 0010 1839 03

With Metta

Your Dhammacari-Team