Illinois
Vipassana Center
Development
Update
October/November 2022
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In
October and November
construction efforts
were primarily
focused on
completing exterior
work before the cold
weather set
in.
A
great deal of digging
was done to install
underground
infrastructure for
water, power, fire
safety water – all to be
covered over with
finished roadways and
sidewalks.
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Underground
firewater being
installed
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Sidewalks
along west side of
Dhamma hall
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During
these months,
underground feeds to the
new Dhamma hall building
for electrical,
firewater and potable
water were
installed. The
site roadways installed
two years ago during the
major earthwork
operations were
re-graded in preparation
for asphalting. In the
parking lot area where
the old dairy barn once
stood, it was necessary
to demolish additional
old concrete foundations
and re-grade the entire
area to permit proper
drainage of storm
water.
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Old dairy barn location that is now the new parking lot
New Parking lot
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After
the roads and parking
lots were re-graded, new
asphalt was placed,
signage and striping
work was performed and
landscaping at the new
parking lot area was
completed. The
underground geothermal
loop for heating
/cooling of the Dhamma
hall was also installed
and tested and is ready
for operation.
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Re-asphalted
roadway between
parking and dining
hall
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New
asphalt road between
dorm and parking lot
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In
the same period of time
work on the interior of
the Dhamma continued for
HVAC, electrical and
plumbing work along with
framing for insulation
and drywall. Fire
alarm installation work
started, as well as
installation of
doorframes.
Sidewalks surrounding
the new Dhamma hall were
completed. The new
power feed to the
building was energized
and there is now power
to the building, which
has allowed the in-floor
heating to be turned on
to permit interior
finishes to begin.
Looking ahead to
December and January,
all efforts will be
focused on the interior
of Dhamma Hall and the
finishes required such
as insulation, drywall,
painting, flooring,
doors, hardware and
accessories. Trim
out for HVAC,
electrical, plumbing and
audio/visual will be
completed during this
period also.
Barring any major
delays, building
occupancy inspections
will be called for in
early February.
The practice of
generosity (Dana) was a
primary teaching of the
Buddha, one of the Ten
Qualities (Parami) that
help a meditator pass
through suffering and
experience Nibbana. It
helps the householder
meditator realize they
are not only working for
their own benefit and
financial success, but
that our success is also
built on the efforts and
success of so many
others in this life and
we share our Gratitude
for this. Providing
Dana (financial support
or service) for Center
development generates
merit for the donor from
the thousands more
students who will be
allowed to enter on the
Path of Dhamma in
ensuing years, as well
as by developing a
greater maturity in
Dhamma from working in
the best possible
environment for
meditation.
If you have the volition
to provide financial
support, the following
link will give you
access to the various
methods in which to
contribute.
https://pakasa.dhamma.org/os/osportal/donation/
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DHAMMA
PAKASA FINANCES
REACH A NEW
THRESHOLD
Since the fire in May of
2021, small groups of
Midwest students have been
deeply involved in the
planning and organization
of constructing a new
Dhamma Hall, cleaning and
refurbishing the Dining
hall, and working hard to
serve small courses to
keep the Dhamma vibration
strong at the
Center. Many have
donated to keep this whole
process going.
Construction costs
ballooned during this
Covid period throughout
the industry, resulting in
an original estimate of
$1,166,000 rising to the
present estimate of
$1,760,000. Yet with
the efforts and planning
of our Operations and
Finance committees and
generous donations of old
students, the Center has
been able to maintain a
balanced budget with the
reduced size of courses
(now nearly 20). The
reliable documentation of
our finances and long
history of paying back all
our loans on time has
enabled the Center to
obtain a line of credit of
up to $800,000 to complete
the construction of the
new Dhamma Hall, available
to us on November
28. This will enable
us to complete the project
on time.
We are still negotiating
with our insurance company
for full payment on our
policy covering the Dhamma
hall fire and this may
take a number of months to
resolve. Even with the
insurance, it is estimated
the Center will have a
substantial loan of around
$800,000
outstanding. As we
work back up to our former
course numbers and course
sizes of 45-50, interest
and repayment on this
$800,000 loan will be a
substantial financial
burden on the
Center.
Hopefully, old students in
the Midwest will recognize
the support the Center
needs at this time, both
in financial terms and in
direct service to get our
course schedule
established again.
We are rebuilding the
Center ‘from the ground
up’... and the real, solid
ground of Vipassana is our
meditation practice and
service to others.
Let us all join together
to serve and enjoy the
benefits of a newly
revitalized Dhamma Pakasa!
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The
practice of generosity
(Dana) was a primary
teaching of
the
Buddha, one of the
TenQualities (parami)
that help a meditator
pass through suffering
and experienceNibbana.
It helps the
householder meditator
realize they are not
only working for
theirown benefit and
financial success, but
that our success is
also built on the
efforts andsuccess of
so many others in this
life and we share our
Gratitude for this.
Providing
Dana(financial support
or service) for Center
development generates
merit for the donor
from the thousands
more students who will
be allowed to enter on
the Path
of
Dhamma inensuing
years, as well as by
developing a greater
maturity in Dhamma
from working inthe
best possible
environment for
meditation.
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Best
wishes
Illinois
Vipassana Meditation
Center, Dhamma Pakasa
Street
Address: 10076 Fish
Hatchery Road,
Pecatonica, IL 61063
Tel.
[1] 815
489-0420 Fax [1]
(360) 283-7068
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