ACQUA VIVA
Cave & Forest Monastery
Help us build a unique contemplative space right outside Bari: a Buddhist forest monastery, a meditation retreat center, an educational farm, and more in the countryside of Acquaviva delle Fonti, a small town right outside Bari.
Acqua Viva is a spiritual project under the banner of the economy of generosity and mutual aid. Located at the center of the Sant'Elia forest in Acquaviva delle Fonti (BA), it will house a Buddhist forest monastery, a contemplative retreat center, an educational farm and a residential program, offered entirely on a donative basis. Sogre Energy will collaborate with Empty Cloud Italia in the implementation of programs and workshops on sustainability, reforestation, educational pathways for children and more.
The project will be developed across an area of 55 hectares (135 acres) in the countryside of Acqua Viva Delle Fonti, in the lower Murgia of Bari, surrounded by fields of wheat, olive trees and vines. The area is served by Bari and Brindisi airports. In addition, Acqua Viva is located on the route of the Apulian Aqueduct pedestrian cycle route.
Economy of generosity
The programs offered by Empty Cloud Italia will be offered at no cost, by free-will donations, in the spirit of Buddhist generosity
Forest Monastery
Part of the Sant'Elia Forest will be exclusively dedicated to the contemplative monastic practice of bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs (Buddhist male and female monks)
Meditation Retreat Center
Spiritual teachings will be regurlarly offered at the retreat center, with room and board offered without a price-tag
Vegetarian Cooking
Preparation of vegetarian community meals, with emphasis on local traditional dishes and eastern cuisine.
Buddhist Meditation
The center will offer weekly study, meditation and mindfulness programs for cultivating the heart and mind.
SPIRITUAL ISLAND
The center of ACQUA VIVA will be the home of a Spiritual Island that will offer to the public intensive meditation retreats, workshops on sustainability, organic farming and more, entirely by donation.
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There is no donation too small to make this dream a reality. Help us reach the goal.
Diversity, Culture and Tradition
From the elderly to children, everyone will be welcome at ACQUA VIVA.
We want to nurture the re-discovery of the local area and culture, foster an inter-generational dialogue aimed at the preservation of tradition, and at the same time be open to diverse immigrant cultures and spiritual traditions.
Synergies and Opportunities
Archaeology
Re-evaluation, research and re-discovery of the existing archaeological site of Sant'Elia's Cave.
