Update on the Saranaloka Nuns’ Community
From the Board of Directors of the Saranaloka Foundation
Saranaloka: Moving into the Next Phase...
December 24, 2011
Dear Dhamma Friends,
I want to share the beginning of a new adventure with you. On Monday, the board, the stewards and the Sisters visited a piece of property for sale on Skyline Blvd. just south of Castle Rock State Park. This is definitely the beginning of a new phase for Saranaloka.
Although we have looked at property off and on for several years, we now are now investigating what is needed to be able to make a move. The property was very suitable for a monastery. We looked at this property 2.5 years ago, too, and fell in love with it then, but it was too soon and also quite expensive. This time we spent 3.5 hours there, hiking all the way to the bottom of the 68 acres and then exploring the well-built and energy efficient house. The community could move into this house with only a couple of small changes to provide access for the disabled. It also affords some wonderful renovation options, when the time is right.
The property goes down the mountain with a view of the ocean on a clear day and is peacefully quiet. There are many of acres of forest, some of them quite steep and it's a healthy walk down to the creek! There is also a small Christmas tree farm.
The property is on the market now for just under $1.3 million and will probably sell quickly now that the price has been lowered. Most likely we are not flexible or rich enough to move on this, but we would if we were able! The key is to get ready financially. We currently have about $45,000 in our monastery fund and two generous supporters have offered to loan Saranaloka $100,000 and $25,000. I've heard of a monastery that financed the purchase of their property through private loans and then paid them back according to individual agreements. Given the low value of property right now, we are considering this option of a private mortgage or group of loans—it is hard to imagine that property would not increase in value over time. With prices about half of what they were a couple of years ago, it is a great time to purchase!!
Please help us spread the word about our needs. A nonprofit is unable to secure a bank mortgage, so a private mortgage(s) is one way we can accomplish our vision. Of course, donations and/or a gift of property would also be useful. We can only move forward when our community supports the vision and helps us to be in a position to make an offer on this or some other property. (And for those of you who will ask—yes, we did ask for a lease, a lease option and for the owner to carry. None of these are possible with this particular home and property.) If you have ideas, connections, donations, ability to loan $, or energy to help, you can reach us at saranaloka@gmail.com. Please write. We'd love to hear from you.
Visiting this property together gave us energy and the inspiration to take the next steps to move closer to our vision. We plan to visit the Planning Department in Santa Cruz County to discuss what’s needed in terms of zoning changes and use permits and to discuss their requirements and recommendations. A similar trip to Santa Clara County would be good as well, as this may be an option for other properties.
If you would like to see the property we visited, please check the virtual tour.
Wishing you all a happy and contented new year and many blessings,
Jill Boone
Visit Saranaloka Foundation on 