monastery grounds
A dream
PEI has been our home for over 10 years.
Standing on this piece of land, there is much that we are grateful for. You see, we have a dream: that those who find Buddhist teachings useful in their lives, can learn how to apply these teachings to make their lives even better.
Standing on this piece of land, there is much that we are grateful for. You see, we have a dream: that those who find Buddhist teachings useful in their lives, can learn how to apply these teachings to make their lives even better.
Yet, to fulfill this dream, we have to ensure that the Buddhist teachings are accurate. Tibet has extremely well preserved Buddhist teachings and traditions. Unfortunately, due to political tension, Tibetan Buddhism is now rapidly fading.
It is a race against time.
It is a race against time.
In no small part due to this land in PEI that we are standing on. Just as to those who came before us, this land represents a dream, a hope. There are a lot of blessings on this land. We hope that from the nurturing of these very grounds, a few female geshemas—Buddhist nuns with complete mastery of Buddhist teachings—will emerge. And that the line of Buddhist teachings will continue to flow, uninterrupted.
Thank you PEI. Thank you Canada.
In no small part due to this land in PEI that we are standing on. Just as to those who came before us, this land represents a dream, a hope. There are a lot of blessings on this land. We hope that from the nurturing of these very grounds, a few female geshemas—Buddhist nuns with complete mastery of Buddhist teachings—will emerge. And that the line of Buddhist teachings will continue to flow, uninterrupted.
Thank you PEI. Thank you Canada.
Our efforts
「Flowers: From Us to You」
I am part of the team that takes care of the monastery’s landscaping and gardens.
To be honest, I wasn’t always interested in planting flowers. I would have to put in a lot of effort—watering them, adding fertilizers. But at the end of the day, I can only appreciate them. Vegetables on the other hand, when harvested, can fill my tummy. More bang for the buck.
To be honest, I wasn’t always interested in planting flowers. I would have to put in a lot of effort—watering them, adding fertilizers. But at the end of the day, I can only appreciate them. Vegetables on the other hand, when harvested, can fill my tummy. More bang for the buck.
「Trees: Our Friends」
A serene environment is instrumental to our Buddhist lifestyle, and PEI’s rural landscape serves the perfect backdrop.
In an effort to preserve the natural areas around our monastery, we planted over 8,500 trees.
We’ve had our tree nursery for 9 years. When we first planted these trees, we spent a lot of time studying how to care for them.
In an effort to preserve the natural areas around our monastery, we planted over 8,500 trees.
We’ve had our tree nursery for 9 years. When we first planted these trees, we spent a lot of time studying how to care for them.
Uigg
Teacher Zhen-Ru has a special gift: the ability to clearly explain the Buddhist teachings in a way that inspires and allows her students to easily apply the teachings to their everyday lives. Teacher Zhen-Ru’s students have seen improvements to their relationships with others and overall quality of life after applying these Buddhist teachings. As such, Teacher Zhen-Ru’s students from all over the world wanted her to settle in their home towns so they could readily learn from her.
Searching for the ideal place to study and practice Buddhism, Teacher Zhen-Ru spent many years travelling to various countries. When she came to Prince Edward Canada, she was taken away by its serenity. She had lived in bustling cities where nights don’t differ from days, and felt the peace and quiet of PEI was perfect for Buddhist practice.
I think when people all over the world come to this charming countryside, all their troubles disappear. Although they haven’t dealt with their situations back home—but by looking at the trees, looking out at nature, looking at the skies—it’s as if their hearts have taken flight.
— Teacher Zhen–Ru
— Teacher Zhen–Ru
Finally she found Prince Edward Island, in Canada. Thereafter, many of her students came to PEI to study with Teacher Zhen-Ru. We were taken away by the Island’s natural beauty, tranquility as well as the friendly and down-to-earth people. Time and again we have been deeply touched by the acceptance, hospitality, and kindness shown to us by Islanders. As Buddhist nuns, our main focus is the study and practice of Buddha’s teachings. As such, we need a good learning environment. PEI is a great place to practice Buddhism.
FAQ
GWBI owns roughly 670 acres (490 acres in Brudenell, 180 acres in Vernon Bridge).
Click here for details about GWBI land use.
All GWBI land transactions, gifting or leasing will abide by the spirit of the LPA and all IRAC procedures.
There have been no land transactions in over 5 years.
We are aware concerns about land are also about individual ownership. Even though GWBI doesn't have the right to disclose an individual’s private information, we’ve asked individual nuns about properties they’ve purchased. In the spirit of transparency: there are 5 nuns who own a cumulative 270 acres of land in Brudenell. They bought land surrounding the monastery as they wanted to protect the monastery from being surrounded by future commercial development.
In 2023, figures (i.e. 17,000 acres) started circulating around. These numbers are ridiculous. Our Buddhist community tried to understand how these numbers were calculated as we have been unable to arrive at them ourselves. People who have inquired, told us that the 17,000 acres was a sum of land holdings of people with Asian last names. We contacted the Coalition for the Protection of P.E.I. Lands to verify and did not receive a response.
Click here for details about GWBI land use.
All GWBI land transactions, gifting or leasing will abide by the spirit of the LPA and all IRAC procedures.
There have been no land transactions in over 5 years.
We are aware concerns about land are also about individual ownership. Even though GWBI doesn't have the right to disclose an individual’s private information, we’ve asked individual nuns about properties they’ve purchased. In the spirit of transparency: there are 5 nuns who own a cumulative 270 acres of land in Brudenell. They bought land surrounding the monastery as they wanted to protect the monastery from being surrounded by future commercial development.
In 2023, figures (i.e. 17,000 acres) started circulating around. These numbers are ridiculous. Our Buddhist community tried to understand how these numbers were calculated as we have been unable to arrive at them ourselves. People who have inquired, told us that the 17,000 acres was a sum of land holdings of people with Asian last names. We contacted the Coalition for the Protection of P.E.I. Lands to verify and did not receive a response.
We own about 195 acres of agricultural land; all of it is in production utilizing organic farming practices. Besides farming our own land, we are grateful to have the opportunity to support small local organic farmers (i.e. Beattie Farms, Whiskey River Organics, and Derek Mellish) by leasing our land to them so they can fulfill a common vision.
The land we own enables us to build a conducive environment for Buddhist practice, as well as offer females from all over the world the opportunity to dedicate their lives to a common mission. A conducive environment is made up of not only a monastery campus, but also wide areas of surrounding greenspace and agriculture lands. These large patches of greenery and farmland aid in our contemplative practice as we are not surrounded by commercial buildings or overdevelopment. The natural landscape protects us from the daily distractions as well as the hustle and bustle of city life, freeing our minds to reflect inwards.
No. All of our land transactions, gifting or leasing must go through IRAC.
GWBI owns 7 houses, which serve different needs as they arise. For example, housing for nuns recuperating, self-isolating per our wellness team’s recommendations and accommodations for visiting nuns during retreats.
As part of PEI government’s requirement, in 2018, GWBI hired Ekistics Planning & Design [insert link https://ekistics.com/], to prepare an Environment Impact Assessment (“EIA”) report on how the monastery will use land to maximize the sustainability (economic, ecological, cultural) for the long term.
There are no central services in Brudenell (water or sewer) so servicing will be handled onsite. GWBI has set aside 10 acres of land for onsite wastewater treatment to accommodate the needs of 1,400 nuns (maximum capacity expected to be reached in 20 years or more).
Ensuring the quality and quantity of the aquifer below GWBI lands will be a top priority for the development. As such, GWBI will not be drilling high capacity wells. In addition, conserving resources is of utmost importance at GWBI. The amount of water used daily by a nun is less than half of an average person’s. Regarding stormwater management, engineers have designed it for zero run-off. This design has been approved by the PEI government.
Click here for more FAQ.
There are no central services in Brudenell (water or sewer) so servicing will be handled onsite. GWBI has set aside 10 acres of land for onsite wastewater treatment to accommodate the needs of 1,400 nuns (maximum capacity expected to be reached in 20 years or more).
Ensuring the quality and quantity of the aquifer below GWBI lands will be a top priority for the development. As such, GWBI will not be drilling high capacity wells. In addition, conserving resources is of utmost importance at GWBI. The amount of water used daily by a nun is less than half of an average person’s. Regarding stormwater management, engineers have designed it for zero run-off. This design has been approved by the PEI government.
Click here for more FAQ.
Construction
Please click here for more on our construction plans.