Stage 2 - Meditation Centre Project
Latest Project Funding Update
The initial contracted builder had been removed In February 2024. The NBM Building Team, composed of volunteers who are professionals in the building industry took over the project with BSV as “Owner Builder”. A registered builder was appointed to continue with the main building work. The team attended to rectifying defects and works needed to complete the infrastructure, cottages, courtyard and the main building.
Due to a 30-60% rise in building costs, with some materials increased by up to 100%, the original building fund raised was not sufficient to complete the project. Borrowed interest free loan has been used to fund the completion of the SOS Retreat Centre Stage 2a in February 2025.
At this stage, we are in need to raise $350,000 to repay the interest-free loan which we had used to complete the building work.
The BSV-NBM communities sincerely thank all donors, locally and abroad, for their generosity in supporting this meritorious project to help reduce suffering through Dhamma practice
The NBM Meditation Retreat Centre project was officially launched in March 2020 by Ajahn Brahmali and Bhante Mudito. This is Stage 2 of the overall 3 stage NBM Building Plan as follows:
- Stage 1 – Monks Accommodation which has been completed in September 2020.
- Stage 2 – NBM Meditation Retreat Centre including a Dana Offering hall.
- Stage 3 – Nuns Accommodation (to be scoped)
The designs of Stage 2 – NBM Meditation Retreat centre are sensitive to the pristine forested natural environment and work toward supporting spiritual activities taking place on site. The buildings are organized around a strong spiritual axis of progression from mundane to spiritual – Entry Foyer – Dāna Hall – Stupa Courtyard – and through to the Meditation Hall (to be constructed in either Stage 2b). The cottages are placed around a series of courtyards connected by landscaped gardens and colonnaded walkways. They also serve as tranquil contemplative spaces and pathways for walking meditation.
The Centre will facilitate Ajahn Brahm, Ajahn Brahmali and other senior monastics to provide teachings to the community
For ease of manageability and funding, Stage 2 has been divided into at least 2 phases i.e. Stage 2a and Stage 2b.
Details of Stage 3 will be included in the Building Master Plan to be developed for Stage 2b.
The building scope of Stage 2a – consists of:
- 4 Cottages – 24 rooms with ensuites for lay retreatants
- Dāna Hall and Kitchen
- Office and Amenities
- Caretakers Cottage
All necessary infrastructure services to support the above.
The construction of Stage 2a commenced in September 2021. Due to shortages of the building materials and labours, which have impacted the entire Australia construction industry, the construction works have been delayed along with a massive cost escalation of building materials and labour.
We are grateful to a team of volunteers who had helped in the completion of the building work in January 2025 to ensure that we could conduct the Official Opening of the centre and a 7-day residential retreat led by Ajahn Brahm.
Further work to the SOS Kitchen and remaining fixes to the building will be completed in March 2025.
We are currently seeking support to help us meet the interest-free borrowed fund amounting to $350,000
The following building structures and facilities are planned for construction in Stage 2b and Stage 2c – if required depending on funding availability:
- Retreat Centre Meditation Hall
- Additional Retreatants Cottages; adding another 36 more retreatant’s rooms – bringing the total number of rooms to 60.
- Expansion of the existing Sewage Treatment Plant
- Amenities and other infrastructures to support the additional capacity.
- Building the planned remaining monastics’ Kuties for monastics.
Current estimated cost for the construction for the above structures and infrastructures is approximately $13 Million.
Some of the work in Stage 2b may be phased to Stage 2c if there are insufficient funds to complete them within this scope
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