Florida Tibetan Buddhist Center

Video: David Bole speaking to the Gainesville Sun about the Florida Tibetan Buddhist Center

Gainesville Sun Article: Buddhists plan major center on Lake Santa Fe property

Florida Tibetan Buddhist Center, on pristine Osprey Cove at Lake Santa Fe near Gainesville Florida, is dedicated to bringing treasured Buddhist teachings to the Southeastern United States. The Center will serve as a part time residence and retreat for His Holiness Ugyen Trinley Dorje, the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, revered head of the Karma Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.

The Kagyu Lineage, an unbroken transmission of Buddha's enlightenment from teacher to disciple, was introduced into Tibet more than 1000 years ago, and remains as one of the four main schools of Tibetan Buddhism. Since the twelfth century this lineage has been headed by a succession of reincarnations of the Gyalwang Karmapa. The line of the Karmapas is said to be self-announced, because each incarnation leaves a letter predicting his next rebirth. This tradition continues unbroken to the present day, and the teachings of enlightened Kagyu masters are considered among the most precious jewels of spiritual insight and practical guidance in the world.

Florida Tibetan Buddhist Center is a rare jewel of Florida's natural beauty. The land is graced with beautiful hardwood forest with majestic live oaks, as well as acres of organic blueberries. Additionally, 40 acres of high quality cypress wetland is adjacent to the shoreline, which extends for more than a quarter mile along the lake. Some of the land will be converted into shaded horse pasture and organic gardens with citrus and fruit trees. The Center will be a wildlife sanctuary where conservation, restoration and preservation of the area's natural beauty are paramount.

This meditation and teaching center will be blessed with a resident Lama (teacher) and many visiting Tibetan masters will come to share their knowledge and wisdom. There will be a main hall for teaching and practice, short- and long-term retreat facilities for practitioners and guest rooms for visitors, as well as personal homes for members who wish to live at the Center. Visitors will enjoy a walk in the Peace Garden, a stone pathway with benches, Buddhist Statuary, and plantings of native species and flowers. Guests will explore boardwalks through cypress wetlands that lead to a covered meditation pavilion on the water. Canoes and kayaks will be available for exploring the natural wonder of the cove and beyond.

A large stupa-a spiritual monument containing holy relics of enlightened beings who have passed from this life-will radiate blessings to all sentient beings in the surrounding area.

With its beautiful natural surroundings and its location in North Florida between the Karma Kagyu Centers in Gainesville, Jacksonville and Tampa, we anticipate that the center will serve not only Floridians but also people from throughout the Southeastern United States.

Just as the deep lake supports life in it and around it, we envision that the center will provide deep support for Buddhist practice-not only for us but for our children, our grandchildren, and future generations.

To find our more about plans for the center and how you can help, go to:

www.floridatbc.org

DAVID N. BOLE, Ph.D., A.P. is director of the Traditional Acupuncture Center, a holistic health care facility offering a multi-dimensional approach to health and healing. Read more about Dr. Bole...