journal d'une transition

1092

. The procurement of all the red Agra sand-stone slabs for the cladding of the large and small Petals, and of some of the granite slabs and blocks required for the cladding of all the pathways; . The relocation of the Camp residents, the dismantling of the entire complex and the clearing of a large area now reclaimed for the oval road and water-channel and the part of the outer Gardens where the permanent Reception Pavilion will be built. And in the process of clearing this area we have found revealed, in their full growth, several magnificent trees that were hidden by the high old thatch roofs of the rambling Camp structure: these majesties, now uncluttered and freed, provide already some of the atmosphere one has been dreaming of establishing all around the Matrimandir… To be able one day to move in the cleansing aura of these noble natural beings, sentinels of a most privilege space one will enter by stages, towards the experience of the pure white, calm safety of the Inner Chamber…

And this takes us to the emphasis we wish to lay on the remaining work and the imperative need for everyone’s participation, support and collaboration.

For it is not, once again, just a building, however unique and spectacular, nor even a temple, however incomparable and powerful, that one is trying to complete, but the material basis of a new creation, reaching to all and at all levels of existence.

Financially the situation is as follows:

1- In order to proceed with all the work, a minimum monthly budget of 15 lakhs will remain necessary for the next 2 or 3 years: this budget covers all the works till completion, including the outer Gardens. 2- To complete the outer cover, using the new gilding method for the discs – a work which will take up to 3 years depending on our logistics on the site, an amount of 2 crores will be required. 3- To complete the interior of the sphere, including the translucent inner shell, another 30 to 40 lakhs will be required. If we have been able to maintain the pace of the work throughout the past year, it is entirely due to the special effort many of the contributors have made at the time of the last severe crisis we encountered late 1995, in response to our call. Regarding the outer skin and discs, the prospects are brighter, as one of the main donors to the Matrimandir since the beginning has been able to channel already 1.5 crores into a specified account for the purpose. As for the interior of the sphere, we are naturally hesitant and more than a little embarrassed towards the two donors who had funded the manufacture of the FRP panels, even though they have shown much understanding of the reasons for a change of materials. But this change had to be, as the FRP material was found to belie the standards set by the Mother, of “strength, safety, durability and harmonious balance”. Well-wishers who have experience of large construction sites assure us that, particularly in the case of such a complex structure, losses and waste are bound to incur and that, considering the difficulties inherent to the building of the Matrimandir, we have not done too badly. But now these contributions have dwindled to less than half as the required monthly budget, and we are experiencing another crisis.