Open Heart Center Fundraiser

Dear Dharma brothers and sisters, and friends of the Open Heart mission,

We are creating a home for Open Heart, buying a property that will become the home and heart of the mission. A consecrated center of our own, with a shrine room that is always open, a library of over a thousand books, and rooms for residents and retreat guests. We are looking in Northern Italy, and we want to complete the purchase before the end of this year.

Why Now?

Why now? We know the teachings deliver full realization, it has been demonstrated by Amrita Baba's first student having purified the 5 poisons into 5 wisdoms. It is only logical that the mission also takes a step forward in buying a property that becomes our home. This summer's retreat was the last one held in Amrita Baba and Amrita Rani's home, so our search has also the purpose to unburden Baba and Rani.

Would it not be fantastic to have the upcoming winter retreat at our own Ashram, in our own spiritual home?

Money and Budget

Let's talk about the money openly, because that is the only good way to talk about money. We need 300,000 euros in pledges by the end of August. The sum covers the whole project: the house, taxes and fees, a renovation reserve, and the first year of heating, insurance and upkeep. Nobody is expected to
give any particular amount. The total is built together, each according to their own situation.

We're Asking For Pledges

At this stage we ask only for pledges, not payments. A pledge means you tell us what you intend to give. No money moves yet. Before we collect anything, we will publish the full legal setup: who owns the center and how donations are received and accounted for. What each person gives stays confidential. The totals will be open to everyone throughout.

There are two ways to take part right now.

You can make a pledge, a one-time pledge or a monthly one, in any amount. The one-time pledges help us secure the financing to buy a center. Monthly pledges are valuable because they carry the running costs of the center year after year.

Sponsor a Room

You can also sponsor a room. With a gift of 10,000 euros, you can name one room of the center with dedication of your choosing. The naming and dedication is honored at the consecration, just as donors have been honored in dharma buildings for over two thousand years. Every room serves the
whole sangha, and sponsors get priority in retreat booking as a courtesy.

Dana As Practice

Remember that giving is practice. Dana is the first paramita, letting go trained with your own hands. Whatever you give, you give first of all to your own path, and to every practitioner who walks through those doors after us.

To pledge, or to ask anything at all, contact the project team (see below for contact details). Hard questions about money and ownership are welcome. You should ask them, and we will answer.

Timeline
The deadline is the end of August. This is going to happen or it is not, and what decides it is us. May our center take form for the benefit of all beings,

Amrita Sangita & Amrita Kripa
Open Heart Center project team

Contact details:
Amrita Sangita (Helena Nymark) FIN, SWE, ENG, GER
yogini.helena@gmail.com
+358407671977

Amrita Kripa (Silvia Schüssler) GER, ENG
s.schuessler@openworld.ch
+41774290714