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The Abbey's Master Plan


"As Lama Yeshe used to tell us, 'A monastery is not yours; it belongs to everyone, because its purpose is to benefit all living beings.'"

Ven. Thubten Chodron


The Abbey's Master Plan

Ven. Chodron has taught, lived in, and visited numerous monasteries, Dharma centers, and retreat centers around the world. She has quizzed many abbots, abbesses, directors, and facility managers to learn from their experience. With good advisors and with the help of architects, the Abbey has created a long-term master plan to guide our building development.

Ven. Chodron envisions a contemporary Abbey housed in simple, practical, beautiful, and inspiring structures that will last for a long time. We want to do sustainable, ecologically friendly construction, to be kind to the environment and the beings that live in it.
In addition to present structures, the Abbey’s master plan includes:

  • A temple with a Dharma library
  • A guest house (Chenrezig Hall) with commercial kitchen and large dining room
  • Abbess’ residence
  • A Monk’s residence
  • A small Aspiration Hall
  • Retreat cabins
  • Garage and storage buildings

The Abbey will be developed in phases as resources and needs unfold.


Venerable Chodron and Khensur Rinpoche walked together envisioning the
buildings for the future community (June 2004).

Fred and Doug had a good time riding through the forest and meadows to survey
the land. With the creation of accurate maps, the model of the 40 acres where
we'll build could be made.

Ven. Chodron and architect Eric Vogel examined the topography maps to
determine the best placement of the buildings to honor the ecology of the
area as well as the requirements of function and structure.
From the site of the future temple, Ven. Chodron surveys the sites of the future monastic residences.
This is a model of the 40 acres where the Abbey's future building will occur. The orange figures are the meditation hall, house, barn and cabin and the green area is forest.

Ven. Chodron talks with Lama Zopa about plans for the layout of the Abbey's future buldings. (February 2005)

Ven. Chodron consults with architect Tim Wilson—designer for
Gotami House—who is now designing Chenrezig Hall.

Click here to look at full size pdf of the plan.

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