Avatar's Abode

Avatar's Abode

Meher Baba's Room
Founded 1958
Type Proprietary Limited Company[1]
Location
Services Charity
Website avatarsabode.com.au

Avatar's Abode is a 99-acre (40 ha) spiritual retreat about 115 km north of Brisbane, Australia dedicated to Meher Baba. The site has a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean to the east, over valleys and farmlands to the north and south, and rolling blue hills to the west.

Founding

In 1956 Ena Lemmon sent Baba a formal invitation to visit Australia, which he accepted.[2] The idea of establishing a place dedicated to Meher Baba in the warmer climate of Australia grew out of a letter from Meher Baba's sister and disciple, Mani Irani.[3] On 11 January 1958, she wrote to the Australian group of followers, indicating that Meher Baba wished to give his Sahavas (company) in Australia at one place only, and that Baba would "like Queensland if the climate is good during June, and if the place is practical."[4] In 1958, using money inherited from the Australian Sufi leader Baron Von Frankenburg, Brabazon found and finalised the purchase of an eighty-two-acre pineapple farm on Kiels Mountain, Woombye, Queensland, after receiving Meher Babas' approval by telegram. Baba wrote on the telegram on 2 February 1958 'Place secured by you excellently suitable'.[5][6] During 1958, Francis Brabazon and Bill Le Page, along with three paid workers from Queensland and with the help of several people from Sydney and Melbourne, worked hard (often in the rain) to have the site ready in time to welcome Baba.[7] While he was there in 1958, Baba named the area Avatar's Abode and said it would become a place of world pilgrimage.[8] Avatar's Abode is one of three main centres set up worldwide, the other being Meher Spiritual Center and the samadhi (tomb-shrine) in Meherabad, India.

Transition

Meher Baba's bedroom at Avatars Abode

Brabazon lived in India for ten years with Meher Baba from 1959 to 1969; as a result he was released from the work associated with Australia.[9] In 1967 Baba told Brabazon to 'transfer Avatar's Abode to Bill Le Page who will, when the time is ripe, form a trust of which he will be chairman and turn the place over to it'.[10]

Francis Brabazon being greeted by Meher Baba. Bill Le Page behind

Development

Baba gave clear cut objectives to Le Page for Avatar's Abode's development, setting an objective of making Avatar's Abode universally known and one of the great places of pilgrimage in the world.[11][12] Baba wanted certain people to wholeheartedly co-operate with Le Page in the development of the place, "In so doing, they will be cooperating directly with Baba in his work in Australia."[13] Baba was consulted about the legal structure and approved a proprietary limited company; he also chose the name Meher Holdings and approved the directors, Brabazon and Le Page.[14]

In 1979 a local group from the Baba community started a public petition concerning various legal and personal matters despite the legal arrangements being approved by Baba. The petition divided the Australian Meher Baba community and became an acrimonious debate which spread to India.[15] After several years of stalemate, a deal was brokered in 1984 by Eruch Jessawala and a new company "Avatar's Abode Pty. Ltd." was created to accommodate local concerns brought about by the petition. Additionally, the legal entity Meher Baba Foundation Australia, a private charitable Trust established by Le Page that pre-dated Avatar's Abode Pty Ltd., functioned concurrently with the new company after discussions with Eruch Jessawala in India.[16]

Baba's wish was that Avatar's Abode can never be sold, but must be kept as a place of pilgrimage, "a priceless treasure for generations to come."[17]

Current status

Avatar's Abode is a functioning undertaking that relies on donations and volunteers for upkeep. The site has bushland areas, forest walks and gardens, buildings used by Meher Baba, structures used for performances, dining and reception, and extensive archives.[18] In the Pilgrim Quarters there is accommodation for about a dozen pilgrims (two large bedrooms) with shared facilities.[19] In addition there are two other pilgrimage accommodations available: Francis' Cabin and Judith's Cottage, both have two bedrooms and full private facilities.

Avatar's Abode has weekly activities, but the main events is the annual Anniversary that takes place in early June in commemoration of Avatar Meher Baba's visit in 1958, it is a four day event and is open to all. The Spring Sahavas is the second main event, it takes place in September over a 3 day weekend. Other special events arise occasions specific.

Notes

  1. ↑ "Avatars Abode Pty. Ltd"
  2. ↑ Kalchuri, (1986), p. 5087
  3. ↑ Kerkhove, 2008
  4. ↑ "Mani S Irani, letter to Bill Le Page et al, 11 January 1958" Kerkhove, 2008 pp. 8–9
  5. ↑ Le Page (1993) p. 104
  6. ↑ Brabazon (1990) p. 3
  7. ↑ Kalchuri, (1986), p. 5458
  8. ↑ Grant (1986) p. 26
  9. ↑ Brabazon (1990) p. 4
  10. ↑ Kalchuri, (1986), p. 6497
  11. ↑ Kalchuri, (1986), p. 6499
  12. ↑ Kalchuri, (1986), p. 5460
  13. ↑ Kalchuri, (1986), p. 6499
  14. ↑ Le Page (1993) p. 258
  15. ↑ Le Page (1993) p. 260
  16. ↑ Le Page (1993) p. 260
  17. ↑ Avatar's Abode Main Information Page
  18. ↑ Kerkhove 2005 p.
  19. ↑ "In the Pilgrim Quarters there is limited basic accommodation with share facilities. The bedrooms (2), bathroom and kitchen are shared and visitors provide and cook their own food." http://www.avatarsabode.com.au/visiting.htm

References

External links

Coordinates: 26°39′32″S 153°00′19″E / 26.65889°S 153.00528°E / -26.65889; 153.00528

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