Buddha Land Centre on the Move
Its early days, as yet, but we are hoping that Buddha Land Centre will soon have a new home. Over the past few years we have been looking for a suitable property in the Skipton area and have tried for a couple of them. However recently we have come across an interesting property in Keighley, The Youth Vizion Cafe ex-night club on Worth Way that offers the potential both for a residental centre and a ground floor cafe.
Why the Move?
Buddha Land Centre was founded in 1991 and has since then grown steadily. However, we would like to make the centre as accessible as possible to people in the area and for it to have a higher profile so that the centre becomes more widely know.
What has happened so far?
We have applied for and been granted planning permission to use the Youth Vizion Cafe as a Buddhist Centre, but it's still fairly early days as yet.
What will happen to the current centre in Keighley?
As the centre is moving the current property 312 Skipon Rd, Keighley will be sold and the money used to purchase the new property. We have received a firm offer for 312 so now its a matter of finding the right place to move to.
What will the new centre offer?
There will be a beautiful and spacious meditation room ideal for running classes and courses as well as welcoming visits from local schools and groups. On the ground floor there will be a World Peace Cafe, a place for people to meet friends as well as make contact with the centre. In addition there will be workshop space for those interested in learning Buddhist art such as statue work and robe making.
What sort of concerns have been raised?
We had recently had a community meeting here is a summary of the questions of people (Q) and the answers (A) given.
Q:Would the amount of building work required to transform the Vizion Youth Café into a Buddhist Centre and a World Peace Café be at the expense of our courses and meditation classes and can we afford it?
A: The building already contains a flat that we could move into straight away and there is a room suitable to hold meditation classes. With a bit of decorating the centre could run its courses as normal. The building work would be divided in two main phases, initially we would put in extra bedrooms on the first floor and create the meditation room. Secondly we would transform the ground floor into a spacious World Peace Cafe. Currently we can afford a large part of the building work but would need to raise more funds.
Q: Would this put a lot of stress and pressure on the current volunteers who work hard already, and how can we find more volunteers?
A: Much of the work would be done by professionals but there would be plenty on offer for happy volunteers! We need to advertise our project and its aims amongst the UK Buddhist Centres and in the local community to interest people in coming and taking part to this adventure. New people will come if we show that we need them. All this work can be viewed an opportunity to work for others and put our Buddhist teachings into practice. Everybody can contribute by giving their time, advice, skills, money or simply their prayers! This could bring new focus and energy and provide a real sense of community and purpose. And as volunteers we can always take a rest whenever we feel that it becomes too much.
Q: There is no heating on the 1st floor. How much would it cost to install it? And how much would it cost to heat such a big place?
A: We need to enquire about that. But before any final agreements take place we will ask for a structural survey and for quotes from various professionals to have a realistic estimate of the cost of the refurbishments.
Q: How safe is this area of Keighley? Could it people put off from coming to Stop the Week for example on Friday evening?
A: The neighbouring buildings and shops don't have any shutters or other form of protection on their ground floor windows, which is a good sign indicating that vanalism is not a problem. Morrison's car park is across the street which is well used and safe. But we need to investigate a bit more - let us know your opinion.
Q: Why all this? Why wanting to move?
A: Our ultimate aim is to bring meditation and peace of mind to more people in our area, to spread the profound wisdom that without inner peace outer peace is impossible. As such the Vizion Youth café has some potentials that our current property doesn't have: it is very close to Keighley city centre, close to the train and bus stations. It is big enough to make a café where everybody could come not only to have a cup of tea but also to hear about meditation, peace of mind, happiness, meet meditation/Buddhist practitioners, and hopefully have a go at a meditation class. For some people this may be the beginning of a better life.
You're very welcome to contact us if you have any burning questions! But we will keep you informed.
