Vision 2023 & Beyond

WELCOMING VISION 2025!

Vision 2023 was initiated with Amma’s blessings in October 2021. It was based on a larger vision aimed at expanding Amma’s charitable and spiritual activities through improving the infrastructure at Amma’s Ashram in Melbourne, as well as to secure much needed support for future visits of Amma to Australia.

To date, the Vision 2023 programme has grown in leaps and bounds and is nearing completion around September 2024. This major redevelopment presents the love, dedication, and selfless support from all Amma’s Children in Australia, as well as support from our sister organisation in the USA – MA Centre. The near completed project encapsulates an expanded meditation and cultural events hall, a large cafe, a commercial kitchen, the Amrita Academy of Arts and Spiritual Studies and a public library.

The redeveloped site will be well-placed to serve not only Amma’s future tours and Amma’s Ashram programs and retreats in Melbourne, it will also directly benefit local communities, working as a hub for spiritual activities and volunteering opportunities for people from all over Australia.

We are now at the exciting juncture of completing Stage One and moving to the next strategic initiative for Amma organisations in Australia that is – Stage Two (which will be referred to as VISION 2025). With Amma soon to recommence international tours, we are most optimistic of moving to the next phase of supporting such tours in Australia in 2025 and the related site development including a temple.

In the meantime, your continued support for the timely completion of Stage One of Vision 2023 is most critical. We welcome all financial and non-financial support as always.

Most needed at this moment is financial support!

You may contribute to two tax-deductible funds:

• Amrita Academy of Arts and Spirituality (AAAS)- Building Fund
• Amrita Academy of Arts and Spirituality – Public Library Fund

Select either AAAS Building Fund or Library from the dropdown menu: Donate Here

You may also donate directly to Vision 2023. While donations to this account are not tax-deductible, they are still critical for project completion.

Donate Here

Update of Stage One – Vision 2023

• Significantly extend the existing program hall;
• Build a commercial kitchen and dining hall;
• Develop internal and external access roads, car parking and landscaping;
• Provide connection to external water and sewer
• Provide the infrastructure to be able to host large events on the premises.

An experienced volunteer project team has been managing the redevelopment. Stage One construction works commenced in December 2022 and completion is expected by September 2024.

Due to a worldwide escalation in the cost of building materials, unexpected consultant fees and approval costs and the need to use higher grade materials than initially expected in some areas to ensure longevity the budget has escalated.

The total budget for Stage One building works is now estimated at $5.1M.

Stage Two – Vision 2025

• Following completion of Stage One we will begin temple construction.

The estimated budget for Stage Two is $3.7M

These developments have been designed with sustainability in mind. We aim to minimise impacts on the environment and local community. Native fauna will also be planted to improve biodiversity in and around the land.

Once construction is complete, a new permit of use will allow greater numbers of people to attend the Ashram and extended hours of use.  Most significantly this will enable Amma to hold programs and retreats on site.  It will also accommodate extended programs and retreats by Amma’s monastics when they visit Australia.

In the longer-term, the temple, hall and other facilities will open to the broader public to support the growth of our community. In turn, this will increase our capacity to conduct charitable works, spiritual activities and education programs.

Amma approves new school in Melbourne

MA Centre (Aust) Foundation has established the Amrita Academy of Arts and Spirituality (AAAS) and the Amrita Academy of Arts and Spirituality Public Library.

The School promotes spiritual-based education drawing from Amma’s teachings on the importance of spiritual knowledge, culture and values premised on compassion and the interconnectedness and wholeness of life.

The development of Amma’s Ashram at Carrum Downs will now include building additional infrastructure to support the School’s activities and a library.

All financial donations towards building the School and Public library can be made to the following funds.

• The Amrita Academy of Arts and Spirituality Building Fund.
• Amrita Academy of Arts and Spirituality Public Library Fund.

Both the above mentioned funds are endorsed with tax deductible gift recipient status and thus any proceeds over $2 are tax deductible (under section 30-100 (item 12.1.2 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.

Donations to the funds will go towards construction of the additional infrastructure and ongoing maintenance of the school and library and library book stock replacement.

The School Building and Library funds target for Stage One is $860,000.

DONATE HERE

For more information about the Academy and the Public Library click here