Photo by Iris Dotan Katz
A spiritual and social intergenerational Buddhist project
being a co-housing settlement for the elderly & others
not belonging to a particular school
independent, self-governing and not for profit
1st December 2021
This prospectus is partly in French and partly in English
Please read both
Oasis de Plénitude est avant tout l’organisation d’une résidence sénior et d’un ermitage dans un but non lucratif au service de pratiquants ou sympathisants du Dharma. L’association cultuelle qui est l’initiatrice de ce projet propose que ce lieu soit géré par une SCI* non pas dans une intention spéculative mais pour donner des garanties aux résidents de ce lieu.
Disposer d’un lieu pour pouvoir accueillir des personnes pratiquantes ou sympathisantes du dharma, dont la motivation est de se retrouver dans un cadre favorable à la préparation spirituelle de leur vieillesse et de leur mort. Bien que l’Oasis de Plénitude se présente comme une résidence séniors, il n’est pas précisé d’âge requis pour y résider.
L’Oasis de Plénitude se fonde sur un esprit de solidarité, d’entraide, d’ouverture et de respect entre les résidents et l’ensemble des associés et membres.
* An SCI is a rather specialist type of French company (
société) that is constituted for the ownership and management of real estate (
immobilière). Being
civile means that it is a non-trading company, thereby distinguishing it from a company set up to pursue commercial activities. An SCI has a distinct legal identity from that of its shareholders, although except in very particular circumstances it has no separate fiscal identity. For this reason it is said to be 'fiscally transparent’. In this case the ‘shareholders’ will be the residents (see below).
OASIS ONE & OASIS TWOOasis One: “Oasis de Longue Vie” was the brainchild of Lama Sherab, a French lama who saw a need for a place for elderly Buddhists to pass their later years together with like minded others. After a slow start, Oasis One is now a success story with seven (soon to be nine) residents and a short waiting list. Members have their own accommodations and can be independent. They have built most of the houses. There is a small attractive wooded park, a stupa and a meditation hall. There is also a swimming pool and outdoor areas for gatherings. It is a pleasant environment.
In present circumstances of pandemic and ecological crisis it appears to have been designed for just this new situation. Perhaps the future is not, as we once thought, for an ever greater proportion of the human race to live in mega-cities. Perhaps we are going to redistribute ourselves into networks of hamlets: a healthier, safer, more attractive life. The Buddhist principle of "small is beautiful" may be coming into its own.
Oasis Two: Oasis One is nearing its full capacity which will be in the region of twelve residents. The idea thus arises to establish an Oasis Two. When Oasis One started they had to find and buy the land and the whole scheme was untried. However, Oasis Two starts with several advantages. Firstly, Oasis Two can build on the invaluable experience of Oasis One. Secondly, a landed property is available which will be donated if others will join and invest in the scheme sufficiently to make it viable. This property lies some 15km from Oasis One. A third very important advantage is that prospective residents can visit Oasis One and see and experience such a project already in action.
The project is open to all people of Buddhist faith and practice and is not limited to any particular Buddhist school. Residents should be accepting of diversity and willing to get along with those whose interpretation of the Dharma may differ from their own within a general acknowledgement of refuge, wisdom and compassion.
The Site: The land on offer consists of about ten hectare of meadow and forest. It is an attractive place with much charm on a small hill. There are some existing ancient buildings in need of conversion and up-grading. The location is rural, deep in the countryside. There are several small market towns fifteen to thirty minutes away by car. It is an area of small farms and large forests, rivers and lakes. The area around is between the rivers Allier and Cher which are major tributaries of the Loire. There are large forests to east, west and south. It is three hours by car from Paris.
Next Steps: We have the plan; we have the land; now we need the people. Oasis One attracts a steady stream of interested people, some of whom may join the new project as Oasis One reaches capacity. Beyond this we are looking for others who might be attracted to living close to like minded friends in a beautiful and tranquil spot.
The project is primarily aimed at older people, but there is no age limit, so younger people will also be considered. Once it is up and running the project will be self-governing, each resident having a vote. Tenure is secure,. The property will belong to the association. Residents can therefore safely see out their days, but cannot sell or otherwise recoup their investment once they have joined. We are looking for prospective residents and benefactors.
STRUCTUREL’Oasis de Plénitude fonctionne sur une structure hybride.
1) L’association Oasis de Plénitude qui garantit et organise l’activité et la pérennité de l’objectif spirituel. Cette association est associée morale de la SCI.
2) La SCI Oasis de Longue Vie, société immobilière qui garantit aux résidents de l’Oasis un usufruit de leur logement.There will be two interlocking legal entities. One - the SCI - owns the land and buildings. The other runs the life of the community. Residents are voting members of both.
Oasis is not a Dharma centre, it is a community and a settlement. There is a balance between the private and the collective. Residents may invite whomsoever to their own accommodation, but not run courses or events there. There is a temple for the use of residents individually or collectively. The management of the temple is by the association of residents and is expected to be inclusive, but nobody is obliged to participate in particular teachings or events.
Tous les résidents de l’Oasis de Plénitude se doivent d’être associé de la SCI. Les modalités d’occupation de leur logement sont stipulées par le “contrat de prêt à usage”.
Les charges collectives comprennent la rémunération du personnel, les frais d’intendance et de fonctionnement du lieu, les impôts fonciers et les assurances etc. Le(s) gérant(s) de la SCI calcul le budget et le soumet au vote à l’ensemble des associés.
Étant domicilié de son logement, chaque résident est responsable des charges afférentes à son logement : consommations d’énergie et d’eau, téléphone, impôt, assurance, entretien, rénovation, etc.
Le résident s’engage à respecter la charte et le règlement intérieur de l’association Oasis de Plenitude.
Residents pay monthly into a kitty that pays for any professional assistance engaged by the community, French property taxes and insurance, and other collective expenses. This contribution is initially set at 300€ per month per household.