Maharishi Peace Palace

Maharishi Peace Palace
The Maharishi Peace Palace in Fairfield, Iowa

Maharishi Peace Palace is a type of pre-engineered building designed to house the educational and meditational activities of the Transcendental Meditation movement. Each Peace Palace is built using standardized plans compatible with Maharishi Sthapatya Veda design principles.

In 2000, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi announced plans to build thousands of Peace Palaces around the world. At least eight have been completed in the United States to date. A spokesman at the Maharishi's funeral in 2008 confirmed that the construction of Peace Palaces would remain a top priority.[1] A project coordinator in 2010 said there was dwindling support following the Maharishi's death.[2]

Contents

Design and planning

In 2000, the Maharishi announced plans to build one or more Peace Palaces in each of the 3,000 largest cities around the world.[1] A 2006 prospectus for the movement's RAAM bond said that the goal was to build 5,000 palaces worldwide.[3] One plan called for building 2,400 in the US alone, but that goal was later reduced to 100 or 200 in the US,[1] another 14 in Canada,[4] and more in other countries.

"Maharishi Peace Palace" specifically refers to a "pre-engineered",[5] MSV-designed building. Plans are available for four sizes, the "medium" option being a 12,000-square-foot (1,100 m2), two-story building.[6] They are "gleaming white", either painted or marble-clad.[1] According to one description of a rendering of a proposed Peace Palace, it features "arched windows and beveled columns" that surround the "marble-plated exterior of a domed, modular rectangle". According to The New York Times, a Peace Palace looks like "an Indian temple crossed with a Southern plantation mansion" and their consistent appearance is part of a branding effort.[1]

Maharishi Sthapatya Veda is described as having been compiled by the Maharishi from ancient Indian sources as an accurate form of Vastu Shastra. MSV has strict rules on the siting, orientation, and proportions of buildings. The primary principles are that buildings must face due east or due north, and should have Brahmasthans (silent centers).

Depending on its size and other factors, a typical Peace Palace would have a variety of dedicated rooms and amenities. These might include a spa facility, a dormitory, a meditation room for Yogic Flying, a lecture hall and meeting room, a shop for Maharishi Ayurvedic supplies, and a library.[1][7] It may also rent out office space. The Peace Palace replaces the storefronts and offices currently used as teaching centers, retail outlets, and spas.[1] These have been called "Maharishi Enlightment Centers" or "Maharishi Invincibility Centers", but some are being renamed "Peace Palaces" even though they are not located in MSV-compliant buildings. Two Peace Palaces were built as dormitories to house the Mother Divine group.[8] One vision of Peace Palaces is that they would be connected with organic farming operations, either on-site or at a nearby rural location. For suburban palaces, lots of one-half to 1-acre (4,000 m2) have been sought.[7]

An official of the movement said that the palaces would help to generate the Maharishi Effect, which he said would banish negative energy and violence.[9] Film director and TM advocate David Lynch said a Peace Palace is a "peace factory" rather than a "pretty building".[10] Critics claim that the plan is aimed at increasing the Maharishi's financial assets,[1] and doubt that the hundreds or thousands of proposed Palaces would be built.[11] Other critics have questioned the ability of Yogic Flying to spread peace.[1]

Financing and construction

In 2007, The New York Times reported that 52 parcels had been acquired for Peace Palaces.[12] They are being built in the US by the Global Country of World Peace (GCWP) and overseen by the Maharishi Vedic Education Development Corporation (MVEDC), as well as by private partners.[1][13] David Lynch initiated an effort in 2003 to raise $1 billion for palace construction.[14] In 2007, the GCWP applied to the Colorado Health Facilities Authority, a private group that serves as a vehicle for financing construction by non-profit healthcare institutions, for an issue of $55 million in tax-exempt bonds to finance construction of Peace Palaces in 21 cities, and the purchase of an organic farm in Goshen, New York. The GCWP would be responsible for the debt and interest.[15] In order to get IRS approval for the tax-exempt bond, the GCWP had to get endorsements from the city councils or state authorities of the jurisdictions where it planned to build.[16] A 2008 report states that $40 million was borrowed to build nine Peace Palaces, and was secured with $250 million in real estate assets.[1]

Those who finance the construction of Peace Palaces are called "Founders of World Peace".[3] In at least some cases, the Palaces are intended to run on a for-profit basis with returns going to investors.[17] Two or three Palaces have been built by private individuals.[1][18]

Completed buildings

Maharishi Peace Palace in St. Paul, MN.

Peace Palaces have been completed in at least seven locations:

Proposed buildings

Other Peace Palace locations are still pending or have been dropped:

  • 12 Peace Palace buildings are planned at the Brahmasthan of America in rural Kansas. These are intended to be the centerpiece of the American Peace Palaces.[28]
  • In February 2008, MSV Homes submitted plans to build a £2 million, three-story, 33-bedroom Peace Palace in Rendlesham, Suffolk. It would be part of the 30-home, 24-apartment Maharishi Peace Colony. The plans were approved two months later, despite community concerns.[29] The building will replace a center in Badingham that was used for 25 years.[30]
  • In 2005, the GCWP purchased a 27-acre (110,000 m2) property west of Lincoln, Nebraska.[31][32] The Prairie Peace Park had been inaugurated there years earlier but it was never developed beyond some large sculptures.[31] At the time, local GCWP organizer Eric Michener, said the Palace would encourage peace by enlivening "the underlying field of consciousness, the consciousness of peace".[33] The plans were dropped in 2009.[31] In 2010, Michener said that the project lacked funds, and that declining support may have been due to the Maharishi's death in 2008.[2]
  • A proposal for a Peace Palace in unincorporated Manakin-Sabot, Virginia was submitted to the Goochland County Design Review Committee in 2008.[34] It would be built on a 1.5-acre (6,100 m2) lot across the street from Satterwhite's Restaurant.[35]
  • In Ohio, Parma, Westlake, and Mayfield Heights were proposed locations.[1] The movement sued the city of Mayfield Heights when it was not granted a requested setback variance.[12]
  • Moon, Pennsylvania is another site proposed for a Peace Palace. The GCWP bought a 7.4-acre (30,000 m2) lot in 2005 and applied for approval in 2007.[36][37] It also sought an endorsement from the county supervisors in order to qualify for a tax-exempt bond to finance the project.[36]
  • In 2007, a Peace Palace was proposed at a 19.3-acre (78,000 m2) lot on the site of the former Flagship Inn, at the intersection of Interstate 30 and Texas Highway 360, in Arlington, Texas, which had been purchased by the Maharishi in 1993.[38]
  • There was a proposal to build a $4.5 million Peace Palace next to the MAPI Headquarters in Colorado Springs.[15]
  • Two Peace Palaces were proposed for the Philadelphia area, and properties were purchased, but the Palaces remained unbuilt in 2006, more than three years after they were announced.[9]
  • The movement vacated spacious, but inauspicious, quarters near the Pacific Ocean in Los Angeles, California and moved into a cramped office building on a busy street while trying to find an affordable and auspicious lot to build a Peace Palace. The effort was announced in a 2003 press conference that included movement leaders and celebrity meditators.[6]
  • A 63,000-square-foot (5,900 m2) Peace Palace was proposed for Ottawa, Ontario.[39]
  • A Peace Palace was suggested as the centerpiece of a planned community in Wellington, Colorado called "Shanti Village", the brainchild of Cheryl Beckett, who was not affiliated with the Global Country of World Peace.[40]

Other US cities specifically mentioned as possible sites include New York City,[41] Atlanta,[42] Denver,[41] Minneapolis,[41] Long Island,[15] Charlottesville,[15] Pittsburgh,[43] Boston,[11] Tulsa,[44] Hamden, Connecticut,[6] and the San Francisco Bay area.[7] In addition, palaces have been proposed for Montreal,[4] Auckland, New Zealand,[45] and Birmingham,[46] Coventry,[17] Glasgow,[47] Newcastle,[48] Sunderland,[48] and Middlesbrough in the UK.[48]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Hamill, Sean D. (February 22, 2008). "Sites for 'Maharishi Effect' (Welcome to Parma) Spread Across U.S.". The New York Times: p. A.14. 
  2. ^ a b LAUKAITIS, ALGIS J (August 23, 2010). "Prairie Peace Park is facing its end". Lincoln Journal Star: p. B.1. 
  3. ^ a b "Prospectus: Global Development Currency: RAAM" (Press release). Stichting Maharishi Global Financing Research. November 14, 2006. 
  4. ^ a b ABLEY, MARK (May 2, 2003). "'Peace palace' project launched by Maharishi's followers". The Gazette (Montreal, Que.): p. A.6. 
  5. ^ O'DOWD, NORA (January 9, 2007). "Transcendental Meditation regaining popularity". Newhouse News Service: p. 1. 
  6. ^ a b c Piccalo, Gina (August 2, 2003). "Good vibes; Maharishi Mahesh Yogi plans to promote world harmony from a soon-to-be-built 'palace' in L.A. An affluent area is preferred". Los Angeles Times: p. E.1. 
  7. ^ a b c d e Hallissy, Erin (May 10, 2003). "Mansions of meditation / Crime-fighting plan: 'Peace Palaces' in Bay Area, across U.S.". San Francisco Chronicle: p. A.1. 
  8. ^ a b "Maharishi Peace Palaces on the shores of Lake Shandalee, New York". Archived from the original on August 4, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5rkD9tKzM. Retrieved August 4, 2010. 
  9. ^ a b Gammage, Jeff (November 29, 2006). "Maharishi urges Philadelphia to give peace palaces a chance". Knight Ridder Tribune News Service: p. 1. 
  10. ^ Pool, Bob (June 14, 2003). "Religion; Seeking Site for a 'Peace Palace'; Devotees of 'yogic flying' unveil plans to build a $4-million meditation center in the L.A. area. It would be the fourth such facility in the U.S.". Los Angeles Times: p. B.24. 
  11. ^ a b Slack, Donovan (June 1, 2003). "GURU FOLLOWERS SEEK SPACE TO MEDITATE AND LEVITATE". Boston Globe: p. B.1. 
  12. ^ a b Aspan, Maria (2007-07-02). "Maharishi’s Minions Come to Wall Street". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/02/business/worldbusiness/02maharishi.html?_r=2. Retrieved 2009-12-17. 
  13. ^ "Maharishi Peace Palaces". maharishipeacepalace.org. http://www.maharishipeacepalace.org/founder.html. Retrieved July 31, 2010. 
  14. ^ Harris, Paul (October 26, 2003). "Lynch goes from Twin Peaks to world peace: Gothic director wants to build 100 meditation palaces". The Observer (London (UK)): p. 23. 
  15. ^ a b c d KELLEY, DEBBIE (December 2, 2006). "Bonds will back holistic care centers ; State authority weighs granting funds to build them nationwide". The Gazette (Colorado Springs, Colo.): p. BUSINESS. 
  16. ^ Schrock, Susan (November 23, 2006). Knight Ridder Tribune Business News: p. 1. 
  17. ^ a b HARRIS, ALAN (August 17, 2002). "High-flying way to cut crime and stress". Coventry Evening Telegraph: p. 3. 
  18. ^ a b c d SARNOFF, NANCY (August 21, 2005). "Building has an ancient touch / Oil firm CEO says that Vedic principles promote clearer thinking". Houston Chronicle: p. 3. 
  19. ^ Peace Palace: Lexington, Kentucky 38°05′32″N 84°29′38″W / 38.0922°N 84.4939°W / 38.0922; -84.4939 (Peace Palace: Lexington, Kentucky)
  20. ^ Peace Palace: The Woodlands, Texas 30°09′22″N 95°28′11″W / 30.1562°N 95.4696°W / 30.1562; -95.4696 (Peace Palace: The Woodlands, Texas)
  21. ^ Peace Palace: Rockville, Maryland 39°02′23″N 77°06′43″W / 39.0398°N 77.1119°W / 39.0398; -77.1119 (Peace Palace: Rockville, Maryland)
  22. ^ Peace Palaces: Fairfield, Iowa 41°01′10″N 91°58′09″W / 41.0195°N 91.9691°W / 41.0195; -91.9691 (Peace Palace: Fairfield, Iowa)
  23. ^ Peace Palaces: Maharishi Vedic City, Iowa 41°03′15″N 92°00′27″W / 41.0541°N 92.0074°W / 41.0541; -92.0074 (Peace Palace: Maharishi Vedic City, Iowa)
  24. ^ Basina, Jan (July 12, 2010). "Commentary: If you build it, they will meditate". The Daily Reporter (Milwaukee, Wis.). 
  25. ^ http://jefferson.iowaassessors.com/parcel.php?gid=17957
  26. ^ Peace Palace: St. Paul, Minnesota 44°57′14″N 93°00′56″W / 44.9538°N 93.0155°W / 44.9538; -93.0155 (Peace Palace: St. Paul, Minnesota)
  27. ^ http://rrinfo.co.ramsey.mn.us/public/characteristic/HistTaxValueStmt.asp?pin=352922310064&it=1&year=2010&seq=1
  28. ^ Bauer, Laura (April 8, 2006). "Small town finds Yogi's disciples 'not so scary'". Knight Ridder Tribune Business News (Washington): p. 1. 
  29. ^ "Peace palace proposals prompt concern". The Evening Star. March 14, 2008. http://www.eveningstar.co.uk/news/peace_palace_proposals_prompt_concern_1_208066?ot=archant.PrintFriendlyPageLayout.ot. 
  30. ^ Smith, Richard (April 3, 2008). "Suffolk to get a 'Peace Palace'". East Anglian Daily Times. http://www.eadt.co.uk/news/suffolk_to_get_a_peace_palace_1_188024. 
  31. ^ a b c Hammel, Paul (April 27, 2009). "If you lived here, you'd be om now". Omaha World - Herald (Omaha, Neb.): p. A.1. 
  32. ^ Proposed Peace Palace: Lincoln, Nebraska 40°49′19″N 96°55′36″W / 40.8220°N 96.9268°W / 40.8220; -96.9268 (Proposed Peace Palace: Lincoln, Nebraska)
  33. ^ WALTKE, KENDRA (August 24, 2005). "Peace Park closing, for now". Lincoln Journal Star (Lincoln, Neb.). Archived from the original on August 25, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5sGXr7Sb1. 
  34. ^ "NEWS NEAR YOU". Richmond Times - Dispatch. (Richmond, Va.): p. B.2. November 28, 2008. 
  35. ^ HESTER., WESLEY (August 17, 2007). "'Peace Palace' in Goochland? / Centerville structure would focus mainly on TM technique". Richmond Times - Dispatch. (Richmond, Va.): p. B.5. 
  36. ^ a b Donovan, Sandra Fischione (March 1, 2007). "Meditation organization wants township's nod". Pittsburgh Tribune - Review. 
  37. ^ Proposed Peace Palace: Moon, Pennsylvania 40°30′28″N 80°12′33″W / 40.5078°N 80.2091°W / 40.5078; -80.2091 (Peace Palace: Moon, Pennsylvania)
  38. ^ Jares, Andrea (December 17, 2007). "Sitting between artist's rendering and reality". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. 
  39. ^ Prentice, Michael (October 10, 2002). "63,000-square-foot 'peace palace' planned". The Ottawa Citizen: p. C.10. 
  40. ^ Hacker, Tom (February 2, 2007). "Wellington plan includes Peace Palace, 'vedic' village". Northern Colorado Business Report (Fort Collins) 12 (10): p. 1. 
  41. ^ a b c Keen, Judy (May 23, 2006). "Maharishi meets the Bible Belt". USA Today: p. 03A. 
  42. ^ GUTHRIE, PATRICIA (April 21, 2003). "Local group's TM mantra: Find money". The Atlanta Journal - Constitution: p. D.1. 
  43. ^ Levin, Steve (December 5, 2005). "MAHARISHI PLANS FOUR PEACE PALACES FOR TM ACTIVITIES". Pittsburgh Post - Gazette: p. B.1. 
  44. ^ OVERALL, MICHAEL (July 21, 2005). "City said in line for 'Peace Palace'". Tulsa World: p. A.9. 
  45. ^ SPRINGALL, Lesley (August 29, 2004). "Meditation and the art of capital-raising". Sunday Star-Times (Wellington, New Zealand): p. D.1. 
  46. ^ COLLINS, TONY (August 21, 2002). "THE YOGIC FLYING SQUAD! ; Peace palace plan to help meditators fight crime in city". Evening Mail (Birmingham (UK)): p. 5. 
  47. ^ Smith, Graeme (August 2, 2002). "Cool meditation in crime-ridden area". The Herald (Glasgow (UK)): p. 6. 
  48. ^ a b c Morrison, Nick (November 25, 2002). "Flying in the face of the war-mongers". Northern Echo (Darlington (UK)): p. 10. 

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