Here's the most current "Business Plan" for UD. This document was prepared for Ven. Wei Wu - the abbot in Malaysia who has agreed to support UD.
Brianna, Jes, Joe, Joel and Chris worked on this business plan with very time but came up with an impressive business plan - enough to "sell" the concept/idea to Ven. Wei Wu (And Laura also got a pamphlet done on very short notice). Kudos to all!
I urge everyone to please read through this article and give more thought to it was this document continues to grow and develop. In particular, we need to integrate Ven. Wei Wu's interests/commitments into UD so that it would make sense for him to collaborate with us.
Ven. Wei Wu runs one of the biggest and most successful Buddhist organizations in Malaysia - he has two temples, a chain of community centers, kindergartens, senior homes, free medical clinics (both Western and TCM), volunteer counseling hotlines, Buddhist Sunday schools, and runs a Buddhist university in Thailand (with two campuses). So, do take a look at Ven. Wei Wu's organization -
Than Hsiang (<- click that).
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| Ven. Wei Wu |
URBAN DHARMA
of North Carolina, Inc.
I. Executive Summary
Vision
Grounded in a Buddhist lineage (Drikung Kagyu), Urban Dharma is a new Buddhist center, a community-in-progress. We are committed to the growing of Dharma locally, for the Dharma to take roots in our lives in this corner of the world, in this part of North Carolina, on the soil of these Appalachian mountains. Our motto “Changing Minds, Transforming Cities” expresses the vision of living the transformative teachings of the Buddha in a contemporary, urban context where we ground our lives in Dharma. Urban Dharma emphasizes integrating rather than compartmentalizing, engaging rather than retreating, communing rather than isolating.
Mission
Urban Dharma’s mission is to foster deeper understanding of the teachings of the Buddha, build meaningful community, and integrate contemplative teachings into everyday life by providing a welcoming and educational space in downtown Asheville, North Carolina. At a conveniently located space Urban Dharma exists for both educated practitioners and the broader Asheville community: a meditation space to practice, a consecrated temple to experience the sacred and be blessed, a place to hang out - sip some tea, read a book - and a social space for community art, music, and culinary events.
Establishing Roots in Downtown Asheville
Asheville, North Carolina is rich with the culture of both the Appalachian mountains and progressive thinkers. Many who come to this vibrant city are open-minded spiritual seekers, content to live among like-minded people, pursue their livelihoods, and enjoy the natural beauty of the area. For many, however, there is no model to suit their spiritual aspirations.
Warren Wilson College, for example, is a progressive liberal arts school near Asheville that yearly attracts many young, spiritually-oriented people who are interested in adopting an alternative religious tradition. Yet while there is much talk about these traditions, there is no comprehensive support or guidance for these people to adopt them. Also accompanying their search for an ideal religion is an acute suffering of still having none. This suffering is compounded by living in an area that suggests all the progressive influence that is receptive to these traditions, but has no centrally located temple dedicated to embodying and promoting them.
We are interested in making the Dharma accessible to this particular community, and we think that we can. Our shrine room will be available during the day to a large percentage of the population who may hold no specific religious affiliation, but engage in some kind of meditation practice or are spiritually curious. Simultaneously, during the week, the shrine will be used by a dedicated group of members who seek further instruction, a welcoming community, and engagement with Buddhist practice and teaching.
Our ultimate goal is to create a community that promotes and supports sincere and authentic Dharma practice. We know, based on the success of various Buddhist events in Asheville, our total experience with the area ourselves, and even the prevalence of Buddhist statuary in secular spaces, that the time is right for Urban Dharma. As a result, we have thoughtfully envisioned Urban Dharma in such a way that it might meet the needs of anyone who might come through the door, even if that means simply providing a comfortable place where people may come to relax, nourish their spirit, and enjoy some tea.
Programming
Urban Dharma has the unique chance to provide Buddhists, and other open-minded seekers in the Asheville area, with a spiritual home. As such, Urban Dharma will be witness and support to the major transitions in this life such as birth and death, down to the simple tasks such as breathing and giving. As a community and as a sacred space, Urban Dharma will give people the support to mature through the teachings through a variety of capacities.
Hence, programs at Urban Dharma will be divided into three broad categories: spiritual, secular, and social. Spiritual programs are centered in Buddhist education and practice. We will offer courses that include fundamentals of Buddhism, Buddhist ethics, and advanced Buddhist scriptural and doctrinal studies. As the teachers and core members of Urban Dharma happen to ground their practice in the Drikung Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, practitioners at Urban Dharma will be guided through the gradual path of awakening as taught and transmitted for generations in this lineage. We nonetheless adhere steadfastly to a sincere attitude of respect and openness to all Buddhist traditions and lineages and whenever possible and appropriate will host teachers and programs from other traditions.
Secular programs are designed for those who are seeking to incorporate meditation practice and theory into their lives without necessarily subscribing to the spiritual views of Buddhism. This will include daily lunchtime and after-work meditation sessions. We also hope to host programs that enhance health and wellness - programs such as taiji, yoga, and meditation for stress reduction and chronic-pain management. Finally, Urban Dharma is a social space for the community - a space open to bands, musicians, literary readings, dances, potlucks, and artshows.
Another aspect of the center as a social space is that we will serve tea in the Chinese gong fu style as a daily, free service. The slow and careful preparation of the tea, so different to a common, busy lifestyle, typifies our endeavor to introduce people to methods alternative to the ones they know. As a healthy, social activity, that both feeds and inspires, serving tea will also exemplify the kind of culture we wish to see flourish. Furthermore, serving tea will attract people to the center who otherwise might have been too intimidated to ever come, despite a hidden interest.
The process of drinking tea is often a meaningful and subtle experience, whereby each member, separated by worldly differences, may be brought together by a common taste and experience. This service is also the easiest way to deeply and meaningfully ingratiate our selves with visitors, even if they are not, as of yet, interested in the Dharma. Nevertheless, we believe these relationships are still worth cultivating. Ultimately, however, these secular and social programs are all gateways and opportunities for others to encounter the Dharma.
Sample weekly schedule:
Hours of Operation 11am-8pm
Monday through Friday:
12:30-1:15 Lunchtime Meditation
5:15-6:00 After-work Sitting
Wednesday:
7:30pm-9:00pm “Becoming Compassion”
Meditation training on compassion and loving-kindness through the deity-yoga practice of Avalokitesvara.
Saturday:
3:00pm-5:00pm “Liberative Wisdom”
Study of core Buddhist texts.
Sunday:
10:00am-11:30am Sunday Morning Service
“Seven-Branched Worship” and Dharma discourse.
Monthly special days:
Every 15th and 30th day of the lunar calendar:
“Transference of Consciousness” training and practice
Every 10th and 25th day of the lunar calendar:
“Shower of Blessings: A Feast Delightful to the Senses”
II. Five Year Plan
A. Year 1: January - December 2011 (may extend into year 2)
Summary of Goals to be Achieved During First Year:
1) Achieve non-profit status - the first step in this process was achieved on February 1, 2011 when Urban Dharma received its incorporation papers (to function as a religious organization) from the State of North Carolina
2) Gain visibility in the community by hosting various Dharma events and social gatherings
3) Maintain a comprehensive website and web-presence that promotes Urban Dharma and its activities
4) Secure a suitable property in Downtown Asheville and transition into the space by creating a shrine room and tearoom
5) Establish weekly programming and practice schedules (see “Programming”)
6) Maintain business hours of operation
7) Form community partnerships through common initiatives
8) Create texts and educational materials to be used for weekly programs and to support members in their daily practice
9) Secure start-up funding sources and develop strategies for future financing
First Year Quarterly Goals:
January - March 2011
1) Draft by-laws for non-profit status - completed
2) Scout possible rental locations in downtown Asheville - in process
3) Create brochure for Urban Dharma to raise community interest - in process
April - June 2011
1) Secure rental property by May 1st and begin renovations
2) Host a pre-opening “Water & Land Dharma Assembly” scroll exhibition to publicly introduce Urban Dharma - in planning
3) Acquire, fill, and install main shrine statue
4) Train center facilitators in the ritual aspects of a common set of practices - in process
July - September 2011
1) Open Urban Dharma - July 15, 2011
2) Host monks from Tibetan Meditation Center, of Frederick, Maryland to create a sand mandala in the newly opened space
3) Gain nonprofit status and establish the members of our Board
4) Establish programming for center overseen by center facilitators
October - December 2011
1) Begin operating a small Buddhist books and supplies store with books, tea, and Dharma supplies
2) Continue to train facilitators in the core spiritual practices at Urban Dharma
B. Year 2: January - December 2012
1) Run and expand all programs established in the first year
2) Increase facilitators and programming, including community outreach
3) Offer weekend and week-long retreats
4) Expand and re-evaluate the shop as a financial operation and begin to assess the market for a tea house
5) Enhance web presence and online shop
6) Hire day-to-day operations manager as paid staff or intern
7) Explore possibility of hosting H.H. Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche for a large public event
8) Begin hosting social evenings to nurture the diverse culture and community within Urban. Dharma
9) Begin to offer lecture-series from local and visiting professors on Buddhist literature, thought, and history
10) Implement workshops focusing on tsa-tsa making, prayer flag printing, etc.
C. Years 3 through 5: January 2013 - December 2015
1) Increase web presence
2) Further develop staffing system, curriculum, and system of leadership
3) Offer pilgrimage tours to Asia (another significant source of funding for Urban Dharma)
4) Expand physical space or separate the temple and shop
5) Increase membership and community involvement
6) Explore new revenue opportunities or other possible ventures
