BRC Silent Auction Ends Soon

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The Buddhist Retreat Centre

Ixopo, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

For people of all religions

Dear Friends and Patrons of the BRC

The response to our Silent Auction so far has been very generous and heart-warming, and with one week to go there is still a chance to bid. You can increase your bids at any point, and if two or more people have exactly the same bid – we may contact you with the option to increase your bid if you chose.

Silent Auction closes: 29th September 2017

There are auctions and auctions.... 

And then there is our current BRC SILENT AUCTION.

For close on forty years, the retreat centre has been able to operate so successfully, in large part, due to the generosity of our Friends and Patrons. They helped us through some very challenging times - such as when we had to deal with severe drought and water shortages when our dam turned into a muddy pool. We had to drill new boreholes, lay hundreds of meters of piping, install storage tanks and pressure pumps and so on. This was costly. But, with your help we came through it.

Now, we are appealing to you to support our silent auction which is outlined below. This is a very important fund-raising appeal to build up a financial kitty for our future. We have some lovely projects in mind, some of which are to make one of our cottages wheelchair-friendly and to improve the walkways to the accommodation, office and dining room which have broken up badly in places. We always have to consider such unforeseen circumstances like renewing the thatching on our chalets and the studio, repairing the bakkies and replacing burnt-out ovens and dishwashing machines.

We have some tempting items on auction from beautiful jewelry, ceramics, Japanese brushwork painting, art works, a week's stay in a gorgeous seafront apartment in Camps Bay, and also in a cabin in the Drakensberg. Please take a peek, and hopefully something will inspire you to bid on one of these items.

Please consider this as an opportunity to help what many of you consider your "spiritual home from home" by supporting this very important fund-raising appeal to secure the future of the BRC as we embark on what we hope will be successful years ahead.

With Metta

Louis 

To raise funds for special projects and maintenance at The Buddhist Retreat Centre.

30 INCREDIBLE ITEMS ON OFFER!

THREE EASY STEPS:

1. Look through the catalogue below and decide which lot or lots you would like to bid on. You won’t know what anyone else has bid (hence the name SILENT AUCTION) - which adds to the excitement and mystery. Each lot has an estimated price, which is the approximate retail value, and the amount the lot is expected to realize. A few of the high value lots have a reserve price. If this amount is not reached, the item will be carried over for the next auction.
2. Submit your bid (lot number and bid amount) to: or 082-487 5393 (SMS or WhatsApp). You can bid on one, many or all lots. You can also decide to increase your bid at any time. We have included market-related estimates as bidding guidelines only and recommend you place a bid higher than the estimate if you REALLY would love to win that lot. We also warmly encourage - and trust - that as friends of the BRC you will participate and contribute on the principle of Dana (generosity) toward the BRC.
3. You will be notified personally if you are the winning bidder of your particular item/s when the auction closes on 29th September 2017 when you can also arrange collection and payment (or courier for your cost).
   If you have any questions, you are most welcome to send them to .

And we would love you to invite your family, friends and colleagues to take part in the auction to support our beloved BRC.

Happy bidding! With kind regards, the BRC Fund-raising Committee

Silent Auction Catalogue

	Lot 1 Camps Bay Accommodation A week at this spectacular apartment in Camps Bay overlooking the Indian Ocean Out of season dates to be agreed for 2018 Estimate R 17 000 (Reserve R 10000) (Kindly donated by Chrisi van Loon)
	Lot 2 Accommodation In The Drakensberg A week at this stunning cabin in the beautiful Drakensberg that sleeps 8-10 people. Dates to be agreed. Estimate: R 14000 (Reserve R 5000) (Kindly donated by Pamela Evans & Rob Havemann)
	Lot 3 BRC Cookbooks All three of the hugely popular BRC cookbooks Estimate: R 900 (Kindly donated by the BRC)
	Lot 4 Tibetan Singing Bowl 14.5 cm x 8 cm Estimate: R 1200 (Kindly donated by the BRC)
	Lot 5 BRC Buddha Maquette Maquette (miniature version) of the majestic large Buddha at the retreat centre designed and sculpted by Louis van Loon 50 cm high Estimate: R 1150 (Kindly donated by the BRC)
	Lot 6 Art Glass Buddha Head Large vintage art glass Buddha head sculpture by Vidrios of San Miguel Spain. Recycled glass 31 cm x 24 cm x 19 cm Estimate: R 750 (Kindly donated by Rene Stevenson)
	Lot 7 Persian Carpet Well-loved, quality hand-woven Persian carpet. Torkman. R10,000 replacement value. Note: there is fading & wear 190 cm x 130 cm Estimate R 3000 (Kindly donated by Rosemary Turner)
	Lot 8 Sumi-e Painting Exquisite Sumi-e painting by Louis van Loon (1). Painting A3 size in simple black frame Estimate: R 1500 (Kindly donated by Louis van Loon)
	Lot 9 Sumi-e Painting Exquisite Sumi-e painting by Louis van Loon (2) Painting A3 size in simple black frame Estimate: R 1500 (Kindly donated by Louis van Loon)
	Lot 10 Sumi-e Painting Exquisite Sumi-e painting by Louis van Loon (3). Painting A3 size in simple black frame Estimate: R 1500 (Kindly donated by Louis van Loon)
	Lot 11 Decorative Ceramic Pot Magnificent decorative ceramic pot by renowned ceramicist Antony Shapiro (small) left in photograph 25 cm x 25 cm Estimate: R 950 (Kindly donated by the artist)
	Lot 12 Decorative Ceramic Pot Magnificent decorative ceramic pot by renowned ceramicist Antony Shapiro (large) right in photograph 35 cm x 28 cm Estimate: R 1100 (Kindly donated by the artist)
	Lot 13 Om Pendant Sterling silver designer “Om” pendant by Durban artist Maria Correia Estimate: R 900 (Kindly donated by the artist)
	Lot 14 Oil Painting Black and white oil painting of a monk holding mala (prayer) beads by local artist Maria Correia 75 cm x 50 cm Estimate: R 1500 (Kindly donated by the artist)
	Lot 15 Indigenous Landscape Consultation Splendid indigenous landscape consultation and garden enhancement including plants Estimate: R 5000-R 7000 (Reserve R 2000) (Kindly donated by Chris Dalzell Landscapers)
	Lot 16 Framed Drawing An exquisite large framed drawing by Cape Town artist Paul Edmunds 860 mm x 690 mm (Note: photo does not do justice to this fine intricate artwork) Estimate: R 3000 (Artwork kindly donated by the artist, and framing by Greg Hayes, “Stepping Stone Studios")
	Lot 17 Ceramic Raku Vase Gorgeous large ceramic raku vase by Antony Shapiro and Louis van Loon 38 cm x 22 cm Estimate: R 4000 (Kindly donated by the artists)
	Lot 18 Salt And Pepper Set Quirky salt and pepper set by iconic ceramic designers “Ardmore” Estimate: R 1100 (Kindly donated by Rene Stevenson)
	Lot 19 BRC Cookbook Copy of the 2nd BRC cookbook “The Cake The Buddha Ate” Estimate: R 300 (Kindly donated by Adams Bookshop)
	Lot 20 Sumi-e Course Hugely popular Sumi-e (Japanese brush painting) and Raku (pottery) 4-day course by Louis van Loon at the BRC with accommodation in an ensuite room Estimate: R 5000 (Kindly donated by BRC)
	Lot 21 Watercolor Painting Framed watercolor, 1990, by the late Martin Burnett 37 cm x 27 cm Estimate: R 2000 (Kindly donated to the BRC by the artist)
	Lot 22 Buddha Head Colourful painted resin Buddha head 15 cm x 9 cm Estimate: R 900 (Kindly donated by Himalayan Handmades)
	Lot 23 A Retreat At The BRC Ian Weinberg retreat at the BRC – “A Neurosurgeon Probes Wellness and Performance” for 2 with accommodation in an en-suite chalet March 2018 Value: R 2000 (Kindly donated by BRC)
	Lot 24 Opal Ring Beautiful sterling silver and fine quality designer Ethiopian opal ring Size: R Estimate: R 6500 (Reserve R 3500) (Kindly donated by Jo Raw; Lapis Lazuli)
	Lot 25 Earrings Delicate filigree sterling silver bespoke earrings Estimate: R 1000 (Reserve R 800) (Kindy donated by Pamela Evans)
	Lot 26 Quartz Buddha Small carved quartz Buddha 6 cm high Estimate: R 500 (Kindly donated by Jo Raw; Lapis Lazuli)
	Lot 27 Pendant Splendid large silver and carved white jade dragon pendant Approx. 6 cm including loop Estimate: R 900 (Kindly donated by Jo Raw; Lapis Lazuli)
	Lot 28 Ceramic Vase Gorgeous Lisa Firer cobalt and white scribble vase 27 cm x 10 cm Estimate: R 1500 (Kindly donated by the artist)
	Lot 29 Singing Bowl Exquisitively etched and tinted Tibetan singing bowl 14.5 cm x 8 cm Estimate: R 1500 (Kindly donated by Himalayan Handmades)
	Lot 30 Silver Ladle Magnificent antique 1894 hallmarked silver ladle 15.5 cm x 6 cm Estimate: R 1100 (Kindly donated by Rene Stevenson)

Heartfelt thanks to all the artists and donors who have generously supported this auction

About the BRC

Perched on a ridge at the head of a valley in the Umkomaas river system in KwaZulu-Natal, the Buddhist Retreat Centre looks out on a vista of indigenous valleys, forests and rolling hills receding like waves in the blue distance. Here, for thirty-seven years people of all religions and none have come to experience peace and tranquillity. It is a gentle, sympathetic space where one can be still and get in touch with oneself and reflect on the things that crowd one's life.

The BRC was voted by CNN as one of the ten best meditation centres in the world.

In 1989, the BRC was awarded Natural Heritage status by President Mandela for turning an eroded farm into the natural paradise it has become with 160 species of birds, including the Blue Swallow, otter, deer and indigenous forests.

The BRC facilitated the founding of Woza Moya, the community-based NGO, located in Ufafa Valley, sixteen years ago. It continues to support the organisation in a variety of ways by contributing Dana, sponsoring their trainers, visitors and Directors' accommodation, and showcasing their wonderful crafts in our shop.

Thank you for the abundance that has flowed to the BRC over these last two months in the form of PUY contributions and other donations, trees, herbs and plants, and books for our library. We have been so touched by your appreciative letters, emails, support and friendship.

The good news for friends of the BRC is that we now have pure natural honey produced from the estate. The project started when  Rob Pooley, an apiarist from Botha’s Hill, was consulted about the influx of bees into the buildings. He suggested placing catcher boxes to entice the bees and then relocating them to an apiary site above the Deer Park. This worked remarkably well and over 40 hives were relocated to the apiary. However, the drought of 2015/2016 had a devastating effect and with a dearth of food, it led to a reduction of hives to 30. Good rains at the beginning of this year brought a wonderful resurgence to the flora, especially the Halleria Lucida (Tree Fuschia) which abounds at the Centre, and so far this year we have managed to harvest 250 kg of honey. Without the help of Colin and his staff during the drought in helping to feed the bees with a mixture of glucose and water, the results would not be so positive. May our bees remain happy and busy and may the honey flow. Thank you Rob!

Visit our website for further information, directions, image gallery etc.

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