For many decades, the meditation hall has been a place of refuge for yogis (and sometimes deep personal struggle, as we are confronted with old age, sickness and death), but always emblematic of the years that BMIMC has come together as a sangha to support each other’s practice and the turning of the wheel of the Dhamma.
When you are on staff or the committee at BMIMC, the hall may reveal itself more fully in its own right and like the rest of our bodies as we age, needs adjustments. One renovation that had been planned for many years but now has happily been executed is the building of an apse or alcove to more properly house our beautiful statue of the Buddha (donated by Leon Prollius), an elevated teacher’s platform and storage cupboards. This also enables more room for sitting yogis, especially now as we have been able to add a few more rooms and thus places on retreat.
The plans for the apse were drawn up by architect John Skennar, long time yogi and supporter of BMIMC, and we thank him for the careful execution and attention to detail he brought to every aspect of this construction, which was carried out by carpenter/cabinet-maker Michaela and overseen and coordinated by Gavin Cusack.
Two windows on either side of the Buddha bring diffuse natural light into the space, and a cleverly concealed panel gives teachers access to modern technologies. One final addition will be the building of a plinth for the Buddha statue from rosewood donated by John McIntyre.
As part of this renovation we will also be installing a sound system and speakers so
that yogis at the back of the hall may more easily hear the teacher. This system will
cost around $5,000. If you feel moved to contribute to help pay for this, you may do so
via our gifting portal.
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