Ethkandawaka Saddhajeewa is fundraising
Help Preserve Most Ven. Henepola Gunaratana Thero's Legacy
My name is Bhante Saddhajeewa, Vice President of the Bhavana Society in West Virginia. We are currently constructing a heritage center in honor of the esteemed meditation master and mindfulness expert, Most Ven. Henepola Gunaratana Thero. This center will serve as a central repository for preserving the legacy of this renowned author, who has penned 15 books, translated into 30 languages, authored over 400 Buddhist publications, and created more than 800 voice recordings on Buddhism, in addition to several hundred videos posted on YouTube. Bhante G is also credited with establishing the Theravāda tradition on the American continent.
Preserving a Legacy
The primary objective of the Heritage Center is to safeguard and showcase the artifacts of Most Ven. Henepola Gunaratana Thero’s illustrious life, which include:
- A comprehensive collection of his newspaper articles published worldwide over the past 75 years
- Photographs chronicling his early life in Thumpane, Sri Lanka
- Records of his meetings with global leaders
The center will also document his selfless work with marginalized communities in India, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka, where he provided financial aid and led infrastructure development efforts that benefited diverse religious and ethnic groups.
State-of-the-Art Facilities
The center will feature a cutting-edge theater system, where visitors can:
- Listen to Most Ven. Henepola Gunaratana Thero’s insightful "Dhamma Talks" on Buddhist teachings
- Participate in guided meditation retreats
- Watch audio and video recordings on Buddhism and interfaith topics
- The center will also focus on themes of ego eradication, releasing attachment, and fostering selflessness.
Accommodation and Library
The center will provide temporary residence for senior monks and retreat leaders, including those with physical challenges. A reference library will offer access to a vast collection of books by renowned authors on related subjects. Visitors will also have the opportunity to purchase Most Ven. Henepola Gunaratana Thero’s publications and explore his iconic works on mindfulness and meditation.
Center Details
The Bhante G Heritage Center will span two levels, with:
- First Floor: Office, Library, Theater/Sound Studio, Museum, and Museum Storage, as well as 6 toilets and 6 separate shower cubicles for men and women.
- Second Floor: Four bedrooms – two with attached bathrooms and shared facilities for two additional bedrooms.
- The center will cover an estimated 6,200 square feet, with an estimated cost of $1,000,000 (+/- 10%). Construction will take place on the current office and storage shed site.
Nice to Have
We are considering the addition of solar panels providing 15 KW/hr to 20 KW/hr at an additional cost of $32,000 to $40,000 (not included in the current estimate).
We invite you to join us in this noble endeavor to honor the remarkable life and legacy of Most Ven. Henepola Gunaratana Thero. Your support will help us build a haven for spiritual growth, learning, and community service.
Bhavana Banking Details:
Bank Name: TRUIST Bank
Bank Address: Winchester Branch, 1800 Amherst St. Winchester, VA 22601
Bank Phone: [phone redacted]
Account Info:
Name: Bhawana Society
SWIFT Code: BRBTUS
ROUTING #: 053101121
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 1470001200216
Postal Address: 97 Meditation Trail, High View, WV 26808
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