The Contemplative monks need your support to build a permanent Monastic Community Center in San Ramón, Costa Rica. As a result of the successful outreach efforts of the monks, the Order plans to build a monastic community center. The Contemplative monks hope to build a monastic center that will accommodate all their current activities and needs, as well as a monastery that will support expanded activities in the future.

A unique approach, in that our monastery and all the buildings within the monastic complex will be created out of recycled cargo containers, reducing our carbon footprint on the environment, while providing a hurricane resistant, more energy efficient and cost effective option to traditional building.

The shipping container construction is the most environmentally sound form of construction on the market. They use a fraction of the traditional timber steel and cement found in conventional homes. The structural strength of the shipping container allows the builder to create multi-story dwellings, offering a larger living space without expanding its footprint. The heavy gauge steel framing allows the unit to withstand 65,000 lbs of stacked weight. It has been estimated that 85% of the building materials used in each shipping container home have been recycled.

Also, the foundation design is less expensive, uses much less material and is faster to install. The infrastructure for transport already exists, so the container homes can be easily moved by ship, truck or train. This component reduces the amount of transport time. Everything is delivered in one trip.

Once completed, the monastery will provide a residence for monastic students, a liturgical area, monks and visitors, and a cloistered enclosure, to serve as the hermitage for our lama.

Financial Requirements

Many of our supporters already know that the property originally used for our monastery expansion project was destroyed in 2005, during Hurricane Katrina. The donor lost everything, and was no longer able to provide us with the land or buildings that were promised. In 2007, the spiritual director and founder of our Order suffered a serious accident, as a result of neurological problems, which left him permanently disabled. As a result he has no longer been able to cover the monthly expenses for the central offices and hermitage, and our community was forced to postpone the building of a new monastery.

A decision was made by unanimous vote of the Sangha to begin seeking the initial funding to establish the Lojong Monastery Captial Fund Program. These funds will be specifically reserved for securing the property, and cannot be used for any other programs or operating expenses. The initial funding needed will be $34,000 (to provide transitional housing) and $389,000 for the building project itself.

worship annex

How You Can Help

Your support is greatly needed, and there are a number of ways you can help the Contemplative mnks realise their vision of extending the Dharma of Compassion to others.

Many of our donors have come up with imaginative wasy to support our work in the past, so we encourage such creative generosity and welcome your input. We are requesting of all members and friends to support this project in whatever way you can.

In order to let the Monastery Project become reality we have established the Monastery Capital Fund Program (MCF). All participants in the Monastery Capital Fund Sponsorship Program at the Founder level (as further described below) will have a name plate next to a juniper tree dedicated to them, and will be remembered for their generous support forever.

Donor Levels

Friend of the Dharma

• Donations of $99 up to $999
• Name mentioned on the Sponsors & Donors page in our annual program.
• A “Compassion Works” t-shirt

Founder’s Circle

• Donations of $1,000 and up
• A Compassion Works lapel pin
• Name mentioned on the Founder’s Circle page in our annual program.
• Name engraved on the Founder’s Circle Wall at the temple entrance
• A “Compassion Works” t-shirt

Bronze Founder’s Circle

• Donations of $5,000 and up
• A Compassion Works commemorative desk scupture
• A Compassion Works lapel pin
• Name mentioned on the Founder’s Circle page page in our annual program.
• Name engraved on the Founder’s Circle Wall at the temple entrance
• A “Compassion Works” t-shirt

Silver Founder’s Circle

• Donations of $25,000 and up
• A three day private retreat with H.E. Dharmacharya Gurudas Sunyatananda
• A Compassion Works commemorative desk scupture
• A Compassion Works lapel pin
• Name mentioned on the Founder’s Circle page page in our annual program.
• Name engraved on the Founder’s Circle Wall at the temple entrance
• A “Compassion Works” t-shirt

Gold Founder’s Circle

• Donations of $100,000 and up
• Participation in a Gold Founder’s Circle Dharma cruise with H.E. Dharmacharya Gurudas Sunyatananda
• A three day private retreat with H.E. Dharmacharya Gurudas Sunyatananda
• A Compassion Works commemorative desk scupture
• A Compassion Works lapel pin
• A full page display ad in our annual program.
• Name engraved on the Founder’s Circle Wall at the temple entrance
• A “Compassion Works” t-shirt

If you are interested in this program and/or want to participate please contact the Development Office.