Political path cleared for meditation centre expansion

Posted September 20, 2012

The Ontario Vipassana Centre on Cty Rd 56, just south of Cty Rd 21 in Essa Township, secured council approval last night to proceed with its plans to build a new meditation hall at the former boy scout camp property.

The 139 acre site located in Egbert, was purchased by the Vipassana Foundation in April 2003, "a registered, non-profit, charitable organization whose sole purpose is to provide Vipassana courses to the public."

"Vipassana, which means to see things as they really are, is one of India's most ancient techniques of meditation. It was rediscovered by Gotama Buddha more than 2500 years ago and was taught by him as a universal remedy for universal ills, i.e., an Art of Living," according to the organization's web site. "This non-sectarian technique aims for the total eradication of mental impurities and the resultant highest happiness of full liberation. Healing, not merely the curing of diseases, but the essential healing of human suffering, is its purpose. ..... The technique is taught at ten-day residential courses during which participants follow a prescribed Code of Discipline, learn the basics of the method, and practice sufficiently to experience its beneficial results."

The new addition will replace the existing meditation hall which is to be converted back to its original use as a women's dorm.

"Because it has been found to be genuinely helpful great emphasis is put on preserving the technique in its original, authentic form," according to the web site. "It is not taught commercially: but instead is offered freely. No person involved in its teaching receives any material remuneration. There are no charges for the courses, not even to cover the cost of food and accommodation. All expenses are met by donations from people who, having completed a course and experienced the benefits of Vipassana, wish to give others the opportunity to benefit from it also."

The project is expected to generate $39,735 in development charges ($35.69 per sq. m of gross floor area) for the Township; $21,799 in DCs to the County; and $2,756 in DCs to the school boards..

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