Vision 2023

Our Vision 2023 initiative comprises a broad mission of improving current infrastructure at Amma’s Ashram in Melbourne to better support Amma’s charitable and spiritual activities, and any future visits of Amma to Australia.

This major redevelopment presents a very exciting and unique opportunity, not just for Amma’s organisation in Australia but also for the general public. In addition to serving as a site for Amma’s Melbourne programs and retreats, we hope the expansion will be of direct benefit to local communities and a hub for spiritual activities and volunteering opportunities for people from all over Australia.

Over the last ten years, the redevelopment program at Amma’s Melbourne Ashram has progressed to include the building of a meditation and program hall, residential cabins and expanded car parking. We have been able to host various local, interstate and overseas visitors and conduct a wide range of spiritual programs in the tranquil surroundings of the Ashram.

In May 2021 the Frankston City Council approved a planning application to allow for a new major expansion of the Ashram and we are now ready to commence the next phase of works, which comprises two stages.

Stage One

• Significantly extend the existing program hall;
• Build a commercial kitchen and dining hall;
• Develop internal and external access roads, car parking, sewerage and landscaping;
• Purchase of a parcel of adjoining land on the Northern boundary (10 acres) to facilitate the expansion.

The budget for Stage One building works is estimated at $3.1M with an additional $1.2M for the land purchase, totalling $4.3M.

The experienced volunteer project team managing the redevelopment expect Stage One construction to commence in February 2022 with completion by Christmas 2022, well on track to host the much hoped for Amma tour in 2023.

Stage Two

Amma has approved the construction of a temple to be built on the Ashram grounds.

• Upon completion of Stage One we will begin temple construction.
• Outside of India, apart from a Brahmasthanam Temple built in Mauritius this will be the first traditional Hindu Temple built on Amma’s land anywhere in the world.
• The main deities of the temple will be Siva and Parvathy. Other deities will be Aiswarya, Lakshmi, Murugan, Ayyappa, and Ganesh.

The estimated budget for Stage Two is $1.7M with an overall project budget estimate of $6M (inclusive of Stage One and Stage Two).

These developments have been designed with sustainability in mind. We aim to minimise impacts on the environment and local community, with focus on energy and water efficient practices as well as using recycled building material and natural products where possible. Indigenous and 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