Holy Island

Off the coast of Arran in the Firth of Clyde, the island has a long sacred history with an ancient healing spring, the hermit-cave of a 6th Century monk, St Molaise, and evidence of a 13th Century Monastery.

Now under the stewardship of the Rokpa Trust, the island has become a focus for work on three great concerns of our time:

The environment

Rapid degradation of the global environment is endangering all life.

Holy Island still remains relatively unharmed.

It is ensured that whatever is done on the island will respect the environment, the island being a focus for the energies of many who care. Thus, for example, the centre was built with ecologically sound materials and methods:

• Water is heated with solar panels;

• All the paint used is non-toxic and bio-degradable;

• Insulation materials are environmentally friendly;

• Sewerage is processed using state-of-the-art reed beds resulting in almost clear water discharged into the sea.

Peace

The threat of total nuclear destruction is no longer on everyone's mind but the universal availability of powerful weapons means that economic, racial and ideological conflicts can turn into carnage on a scale previously unknown.

Holy Island is dedicated to peace, co-operation between all faiths and what His Holiness the Dalai Lama talks of as "lasting peace" based on "internal disarmament".

Spirituality

Celtic Christians sought the solitude of Holy Island to support their prayer and meditation, just as the Tibetan yogis did in the Himalayas. The powerful nature of these places becomes charged with the energy of spiritual practice which can touch the heart and inspire the mind. The link forged with Tibet's ancient spiritual tradition is re-awakening Holy Island to its sacred purpose. Separated from the busy world, this sacred island will provide accommodation for both short and long retreats. It is a place to experience inner peace, to discover creativity and to find meaning in this precious human life.
 

The Holy Island Project fires the imagination of thousands of people who have donated generously. Hundreds of people have visited and given of their time to work on the Island. Your sponsorship has enabled over 35,000 native hardwood trees to be planted. Careful management of the environment is also helping to conserve the island's unique species of plants, while the wild Eriskay Ponies and the Soay Sheep and Goats are all benefitting from improved grazing. The Project is now part of the Alliance for Religion and Conservation, a world wide movement helping to channel the power of spiritual commitment to meet the challenges of ecological crisis.

The Centre for World Peace and Health

The centre opened its doors on 31 May 2003. The Centre will accommodate individuals and groups of all faiths and traditions. It will offer opportunities for retreats, courses and short stays. There will be inter-faith dialogue through meetings, conferences and workshops. The design of the Centre will be free from the signs, symbols or trappings of any particular faith.

The Monastery Retreat Centre

With room for 108 people, it will exemplify good environmental design with ecological strategies for energy, food, water and waste management.

Modern secular attitudes devalued the ancient monastic traditions which once flourished in both the east and the west.

The Holy Island Project is an opportunity for a re-evaluation of this way of life. The vows and discipline of a monastic community provide the time and freedom to reflect on spiritual teachings and a lifestyle conducive to the cultivation of concentration and insight.

For human existence to survive the mounting challenges of ecological havoc, the aims of human life have to be re-evaluated.

It is perhaps not merely by chance that Lama Yeshe Losal is bringing an ancient holy site alive with people practising a spiritual way of life. Holy Island will help in the quest for a more sustainable way of life, offering a unique mixture of ecological sustainability, ancient wisdom and a non-sectarian approach.

Extending the benefits of this to the world at large will take the efforts of many creative minds and require those with the material means, influence and communication skills to embrace and support this vision.e.

As well as being the Abbot of Kagyu Samyé Ling, Lama Yeshe is the Executive Director of The Holy Island Project. Since arriving in the West, his broad experience of life as a lay person in both the U.K. and the U.S.A. has given him great understanding of Western people and culture. After taking ordination he spent 12 years in solitary retreat and is widely renowned as a meditation master whose clarity of mind and good humour are an inspiration to Samyé Ling visitors, lay community, retreatants and the growing number of monks and nuns under his wing. His direct, down to earth approach is invaluable in making Tibetan Buddhism accessible to the western mind.