The primary mission of the Daoist Foundation is and will remain to nurture authentic
Daoist religious practice and community. Our initial phase of development has already
been realized in the formation of a local Daoist association. We offer tradition-based
training within the context of the Green Cove Daoist Association. Through in-depth
conversations among members of the Board of Directors and the community, we have
formulated a mid-range and long-term development plan. This includes a vision for
meditation hermitages, a mountain retreat center and investiture training.
Our mid-range plan involves establishing additional Daoist associations. Within the
next few months the Green Cove Daoist Association will be absorbed into the Gallagher
Cove Daoist Association (Gewan daohui 葛灣道會; Olympia, Wash.) and a new association
will be formed in West Seattle. In addition to providing a meeting hall, the Gallagher
Cove Daoist Association will host retreats and contain Daoist meditation huts. These
hermitages will be aviailable for solitary retreats and during communal retreats.
This phase of organization will also include expanding our Legacy Collection project,
designing and commissioning transportable screens so that Daoist visual culture will
be present at each and every community gathering, and beginning to offer lay initiation
and to accept dedicated community members as postulants (preliminary candidacy) in
the Clarity and Stillness Order. Part of this work will focus on locating funding
sources (donors, grants, etc.) for our programs and projects. A more permanent practice
space with a formal Daoist altar may also be established.
Our long-range plan involves establishing a mountain retreat center, which will serve
as the headquaters of the Daoist Foundation and the principal training center of
the Clarity and Stillness Order, and offering investiture training and ordination
in the Clarity and Stillness Order. The Daoist mountain retreat center will offer
retreats for individuals at various levels of interest and commitment, from introductory
offerings to seminary training. When not in use by the Daoist Foundation, the retreat
center will be available to other Daoist groups. The mountain retreat center will
also serve as a model for green design as well as a nature preserve and wildlife
santuary. We have formulated initial archiectural plans for the center. The layout
will follow traditional Daoist archiectural designs, but the materials and architecture
will be a synthesis of traditional Chinese archiecture and place-appropriate structures.
In keeping with our connection to Huashan and the Huashan lineage of Quanzhen Daoism
and our commitment to mountain-based contemplative practice, we envision a Daoist
retreat center in a place characterized by granite rock formations, flowing rivers,
and surrounding forests. It would be ideal if the place is adjacent to a natural
forest or protected wilderness. Potential sites include the Sierra Nevadas, the northern
California coast, or the Northeast part of the United States.
You can help the Daoist Foundation establish a Daoist mountain retreat center where
tradition-based Daoist practice and community can flourish by donating land, by helping
us to form working relationships with potential donors, and/or by making a financial
contribution. For further details please schedule a meeting with our directors.
