RESOURCES FOR COMPASSIONATE LIVING
HOW-TO SERIES | COMPASSIONATE LIVING | DESIGN | EDUCATION | FOOD-GROWING & LANDSCAPING | HEATH & WELL-BEING | NATURAL BUILDING
Introduction to Earthen Building
There are as many techniques for building with locally available natural materials as there are traditional cultural groups. Throughout human history, each culture has used materials differently depending on their context and its particular challenges, and on the relative strengths and differing properties of the materials available on or near their sites. But one thing most of them have in common is the use of soil — the earth beneath our feet.
How to Make Adobe Bricks
Let’s take a closer look at the adobe brick itself. Building an adobe structure that will stand the test of time begins with using best practices for each individual brick. As the saying goes, ‘a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. The same is true for buildings.
Designing an Outdoor Seating Area with Earth and Upcycled Plastic Waste
The latest addition to the dormitory building is an outdoor seating area for al fresco classes and discussions. Dharmalaya architect Anushka Joshi, breaks down the process as part of our How-To series.
Make your own: Encaustic Tiles
Dig clay, make tiles, dance.
The Thatch Micromanual
A scruffy treatise on straw roofs, The combed wheat reed thatch micromanual.
Autumn 2018 Season Begins with Reflections on Compassion
After the invigorating monsoon season, autumn is a natural time for reflective engagement as we return outdoors to work with the earth. Dharmalaya Institute’s autumn 2018 programme season began with a five-day silent meditation retreat, which set a contemplative tone.
Bringing a Vision to Life: Dharmalaya Institute
Reflecting on the birth of Dharmalaya Institute, from the early design conversations between Dharmalaya Cofounder Mark Moore and award-winning eco-architect Didi Contractor, and the epic volunteer-driven adventure to bring Didi’s inspiring designs to life.
Just Another Rocket Chulha Recipe
The path to steaming green tea..
What is Vernacular Eco-Architecture?
In India and around the globe, we are witnessing a renaissance of vernacular eco-architecture. A rising tide of people of all ages and backgrounds are awakening to both the urgent socio-ecological crises of our time and the potential for us to find solutions in our own rural traditions.
Putting Meditation into Action with SanghaSeva
In 2011, Dharmalaya held its first-ever international programme: a work retreat in collaboration with SanghaSeva. That experience was so inspiring that we’ve been coming together again every year..
Dharmalaya Inaugurates Green HQ with Service and Meditation
After a marathon rush of construction activity through the winter, the Dharmalaya Institute held the first programmes in the new (and still-unfinished) main building of its Himalayan eco-campus for sustainable and compassionate living.
Growing Skyward: Raising the Roof of the Institute
When we left you with the season finale cliffhanger last June, we had just bundled up our baby building with prayers that she’d survive the monsoon rains without a roof. That was asking a lot from a big mud sandcastle! We put her fate in the hands of a few well-fastened tarps, some slate shingles, and a whole lotta flax husk mud plaster. Well, the monsoon was merciless!
Monsoon Update - Zen and the Jazz of Green Building in India
The biggest news on the construction of the Main Building is in regard to our race against time to get the roof on our baby building before the onslaught of the monsoon rains this month…Well, we couldn’t win, so we’ve done our best to change the game!
C o m p a s s i o n a t e L i v i n g R e s o u r c e L i b r a r y
HOW-TO SERIES | COMPASSIONATE LIVING | DESIGN | EDUCATION | FOOD-GROWING & LANDSCAPING | HEATH & WELL-BEING | NATURAL BUILDING
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