Vijayaloka: The Next 50 Years
Stage One Fundraising Target: $500,000
Although our Development Application covers all three stages, we are currently fundraising only for stage one. Stage one is estimated to cost $1 million.
Over the last several years we have been able to build up a reserve around $285,000 from donations. We have also have an open line of credit from our paid off building loan for $215,000. This means the amount we need to raise is $500,000.
Work A Day For The Dharma
Vijayaloka is a place for spiritual practice, so we wanted to base its fundraising campaign in spiritual principles. We knew there were certain things we wanted to avoid: we didn't want to start charging for our classes, or to just ask people for a certain amount of money that might only be impossible for the more wealthy. We're setting up Vijayaloka for the whole sangha for the next fifty years, so we want the whole sangha involved in creating it.
Inspired by our friends at Future Dharma Fund, our primary fundraising campaign is Work A Day For The Dharma. We are encouraging the whole sangha to work out how much money they earn per day, and contribute that amount per month; so every month, you are giving one day of yourself towards our goal.
The Triratna Buddhist Community has always emphasised that we can all practice fully no matter what the circumstances of their life: it doesn't matter if you're a monk, a CEO, or a full-time parent. Commitment is primary, lifestyle is secondary. Most people practicing in our community do so alongside regular employment, spending most of our time at work. Work A Day For The Dharma gives us an opportunity to bring our practice to this part of our life, to live out right livelihood much more directly. We encourage everyone taking part to not just think of it as a monthly donation, but to actually on one day each month engage imaginatively with the idea that you are working that day for the dharma and each other.
Based on the median earnings for a person working full-time in greater Sydney, if around 103 people participated in Work A Day For The Dharma for 18 months, we would raise the full amount we need. There are 107 mitras and Order members in the sangha, so this is an ambitious but attainable goal.
By suggesting a day's income, the suggestion scales according to how much each person earns. But we know there are some who will not be able to give the suggested amount. Many people in this situation are already giving their time so we also invite you, if a day's worth of income feels too much to give, to take off how the time you are already working for the dharma through volunteering. Also if you are already contributing to other dharma projects, we invite you to deduct those from the suggested donation.
Calculator
Remember, donations are tax deductible. If you did donate this amount, the actual cost to you would only be:
Remember, donations are tax deductible, so the actual cost to you would be less.
Other Ways To Give
We know some people might prefer to give in other ways. For this project this could include:
- Larger one-off donations. This could include removing Triratna Sydney as a beneficiary from your will to make that donation now.
- Giving a low/no-interest loan.
- Volunteering particular skills that will support the project.
To discuss any of these options, or any other ways you would like to contribute, please reach out to us.