FUNDRAISER FOR A SANATANA DHARMA TEMPLE IN THE GREEK MOUNTAINS IN EUROPE
NAMASTE!
The first ever pure and authentic Sanatana Dharma Temple to appear in Europe that will be connected to the revered Sringeri Math in India, is taking shape in Greece - and you can join us and play a vital role in creating history.
Hello, my name is Subodhananda (Andrew David Boyle) and I am the President of Advaita Vedanta Ashram Europe, an NPO dedicated to establishing an authentic and traditional Ashram in Greek nature. The Ashram will be a place of refuge and inspiration, where the Teachings of the ancient wisdom of Sanatana Dharma, and in particular Advaita Vedanta will be offered freely to all.
OUR NON-PROFIT ORGANISATION
We are currently in dialogue with PA Murali, the current CEO of Sringeri Math, who we have asked to be our President. By offering the Presidency to PA Murali, we are in effect offering Sringeri Math complete control over our administrative affairs. Such transparency is as an indicator of our heartfelt wish to be a strictly Non for Profit Organisation. To this end, all our Teachings, now and forever, will be offered for free, as per the Scriptures.
Photograph of AVAE with PA Murali in his office at Sringeri Math, May 2024:
It is also written in our statute, as dictated by Sringeri Math that: “The ashram shall diligently provide free food to all residents and visitors as an embodiment of the Hindu principle of ‘’annadanam’’ which considers food as a sacred offering and emphasises the importance of selfless service (seva).”
Furthermore, our Ashram is very closely spiritually connected with Sringeri Math and the Jagadgurus of Sringeri. (See below for more details)
As written in our statute: “The Ashram acknowledges its spiritual lineage and wisdom imparted by Sri Sringeri Math in India. It recognises the significance of drawing guidance and inspiration from the Jagadguru Shankaracharyas of Sringeri.”
OUR GOAL
In order to establish an Ashram in Greece and propagate the Holy Teachings of this lineage, I recently took out a bank loan to purchase an ideal piece of land of 6,000 m² in the beautiful region of Ancient Feneos, in Corinthos, Greece. Now we have the land, we are looking for donations to start our Noble Vision in earnest.
So far, we have succeeded in raising 5,500€ for a fence to go around our property, [see photograph of our land below] which was our first step. Construction of the fence will begin in May 2025. Our next step towards establishing our Ashram in Greece is to build a multi-purpose Temple for Teachings, Meditation, Yoga and Deeksha (initiation).
The building of the Temple will mean that for the first time in history, Teachings from the Holy Lineage of Adi Shankaracharya, as upheld by the Jagadgurus of Sringeri Math and the Arsha Vidya Gurukulam, will be given in an Ashram in Europe.
A 70 m² Temple made from traditional building materials will cost around 85,000 euros. Can you help us reach our goal and create history?
We have already received a great amount of spiritual support from the Holy Lineage but now we need financial help:
SPIRITUAL SUPPORT FOR OUR ASHRAM:
Our Ashram which is dedicated to Loca Sangraham and the flourishing of Sanatana Dharma has the following support:
- Dr. Gowrishankar who was the CEO of Sringeri Math, gave us a letter confirming that our vision to establish an Ashram in Greece has the Blessings of the Jagadgurus of Sringeri.
-
Letter from Dr. Gowrishankar:
- Our Teacher, Sacchidananda Acharya, was given Deeksha [initiation] by His Holiness, Sri Vidhushekhara Bharati Swamiji, the 37th Guru of Sringeri, into a sacred Shiva mantra, outside the Vidyashankara Temple at Sringeri Math in 2021, and permission to pass this Deeksha on to his qualified shishyas [students].
- In 2023, His Holiness, Sri Vidhushekhara Bharati Swamiji, gave us two Blessed Murthis – one of Adi Shankaracharya and one of Sharadamba – to put in our Meditation Hall, when it is built.
-
The two Blessed Murthis given by His Holiness:
- Sacchidananda Acharya was given permission by his Guru, Swami Paramarthananda, the highly respected Advaita Vedanta Teacher Swami Paramarthananda, to be able to use his transcripts as the basis for Sacchidananda Acharya’s Teachings. This is a very rare honour from such a highly regarded Teacher and means our Ashram will offer pure, authentic Teachings directly from the Holy Lineage.
-
Photo of AVAE with Swami Paramarthananda, April 2024:
- Swami Satshatkrtananda the head Acharya at Swami Dayanada’s Ashram in Rishikesh gave Deeksha to the President of Advaita Vedanta Ashram Europe, and offered his blessings towards our Noble Vision.
-
Photo of Subodhananda with Swami Sakshatkrtananda, Rishikesh, 2023:
- We have requested both Dr. Gowrishankar and PA Murali to provide us with a priest from Sringeri Math who will live with us and perform all the sacred rituals of Sanatana Dharma. They have assured us that this is possible.
READ ABOUT OUR NOBLE VISION IN MORE DETAIL:
Our Yoga and Meditation Centre, deep inside the beautiful Greek countryside will be a place of refuge and inspiration for generations to come; an oasis of peace outside of the city, where people can live in harmony with nature and each other.
The Ashram is ideally located in an isolated area 800 metres above sea level, surrounded by a circle of mountains and close to many forests, in the ancient region of Feneos, in Corinthos.
We are just five kilometres away from the well-known, paradisiacal Lake Doxa and it will only be around two hours’ drive from Athens airport.
At the Ashram, we will focus on the very peak of Indian spirituality – the tradition of Advaita Vedanta revitalised by Sri Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century, a tradition that has seen an unbroken lineage of realised sages from that time until the present day.
Visitors to the Ashram will also have the opportunity to engage in Meditation classes, Meditation retreats and Traditional Yoga classes.
The goal of our Ashram is to create a residential, self-sustaining, Eco-community, a sacred village, open to everyone, that is for the upliftment of humanity and where profound spiritual teachings are offered on an optional donation basis. Donations are welcome but are in no way a pre-requisite to receive Teachings.
All are welcome, even those who don’t necessarily want to engage in the spiritual programme. It is enough to want to live a peaceful life in nature, to live in accordance with the Ashram’s code of conduct and to help and support the community.
IN SUMMARY:
As stated above, we will need around 85,000 euro to build the first ever Temple connected to the pure lineage of Advaita Vedanta in Europe.
We have the full support of the Holy Guru Parampara or Holy Lineage, therefore please consider making a donation to this wonderful cause.
If we succeed in starting an authentic Ashram, it will be the first time in history that a Spiritual Centre from this Holy Lineage will have been established in Europe.
We believe such a spiritual oasis will be of immeasurable benefit to the people of this world.