Jamun Village
Background
‘Ahimsa’ which means non-harming, is inspired by the teachings of the Buddha, Gandhi and Zen Master, Thich Nhat Hanh (Thay). This Indian volunteer driven, non-profit trust was established in 1996. It is geared towards education, village development initiatives and mindfulness, aimed at creating peace and harmony within oneself, one’s family and society
Mindfulness and living in community are now well accepted as benefiting mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. Over the years there has been a deeply felt need and consistent request for a Mindfulness Practice Centre in India, where individuals and families can visit and live in harmony and awareness.
Ahimsa Trust has been working to realise this dream and now has a proposal in place.
Vision
- To create a mindfulness practice centre inspired by Thich Nhat Hanh’s Plum Village in France. Conceived as a multi-generational five-fold community of nuns, monks, laywomen, laymen and children from India and globally.
- To develop an ecologically sustainable space for those who want to live in harmony with the indigenous ecosystem and touch the magic and miracle of inter- dependence.
- To offer refuge for those who want to experience beauty, peace, and happiness in their lives, while bringing joy and peace to other lives in the wider community through social engagement and education.
This vision is now possible as some well-wishers have donated a beautiful piece of land in Dehradun, in the state of Uttarakhand in the foothills of the Himalayas and the educational capital of India. Thich Nhat Hanh suggested calling it Plum Village-India when he blessed this land and planted a Banyan tree.
We are calling it Jamun Village. ‘Jamun’ is the local Black Plum and the tree under which the Buddha meditated for the first time as a child of nine.
Goals, Objectives & Activities
- Setting up a Mindfulness Practice Centre.
- Building an intergenerational practicing and living community based on the Mindfulness Trainings, with a daily schedule.
- Conducting talks/teachings, retreats/workshops, evenings, and days of mindfulness, for the diverse Indian and global community including the elderly, families, the police, doctors, corporate leaders, professionals, and others, with a special emphasis on educators and children.
- Manifesting a cultural space where people can share, experiment, and develop their creativity in the areas of theatre, film, dance, music, literature, and traditional art forms.
- Building a play area for children.
- Developing an interactive library/audio visual centre.
- Offering naturopathy training and healing to the local community and setting up a Naturopathy Centre.
- Setting up a 10 mile restaurant which will raise funds for the Trust by offering organic brunches and high teas.
- Hosting Sustainable Tourism workshops.
- Designing craft products and services based on nonviolent economics.
- Planting groves and cultivating indigenous species.
- Focusing on best practices related to water and waste management, sustainable energy, organic farming, and eco building designs.
MASTER PLAN: Jamun Village
A concept and master plan has been developed by a professional architect with the footprint of all the buildings.
