Ehvam - International Spiritual Center for Peace

The Ehvam - International Spiritual Center for Peace (Hebrew: אֶוָום - מרכז רוחני בינלאומי לשלום) also known as the Arava Spiritual Center (Hebrew: מרכז רוחני ערבה), which is located in the southern Arava region in Israel, is a non-profit, non-governmental, and non-political organization founded in 2007 by Dvora Tzvieli. It is funded by donations through the "Shita Vechochma" (Hebrew: עמותת שיטה וחוכמה) (Method & Wisdom) NPO.[1]

Ehvam - International Spiritual Center for Peace
אֶוָום - מרכז רוחני בינלאומי לשלום
NicknameArava Spiritual Center
Formation2007 (2007)
FounderDvora Tzvieli
TypeNonprofit
HeadquartersMoa Oasis at Tzofar in the Arava Valley, Israel
Methods
Founder & Spiritual Director
Dvora Tzvieli
Websiteehvam.org

History

The Ehvam - International Spiritual Center for Peace was established in 2007 by Dvora Tzvieli, known to her students as Lama Dvora-Hella, a student of Lama Sermey Rinpoche Geshe Lobsang Tarchin, whom she met in 1998.[2] Tzvieli, a veteran of the Diamond Mountain Retreat Center in Phoenix Arizona where she spent 3 years in solitary retreat in the late 2000s, has devoted her life to the study, teaching and practice of Buddhism and traditions of the Far East.[2][3][4][5]

Goal

The main focus in the establishment of the center was to act towards sustainable peace in the Middle East and thus contribute to World Peace.[1]

The meaning of Ehvam

The name "Ehvam" is composed of two Sanskrit syllables and has a deep symbolic meaning in the Buddhist tradition. Amongst other things it conveys the ultimate enlightened state of complete freedom, purity, and wisdom. It also conveys the inseparability of a pure and peaceful world with peace and purity in the hearts of its inhabitants and the attainment of inner purity and peace which is ultimately reflected in the environment around us.[2][6]

Activities

The center facilitates study programs on the topic of Buddhism, Yoga and Meditation courses and workshops, workshops led by both local and guest speakers, retreats, joint activities between Israeli Jews, Arabs, Palestinians and people from around the world.[2]

In 2019, the center hosted Lama Gyume Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Jampa, a Lama globally-known for his Buddhist teachings. That same year, the center hosted world-renowned meditation researcher B. Alan Wallace.[6][7][8]

On January 8, 2021, the center initiated a year-long silent retreat workshop which will conclude in January 2022. During this silent retreat, participants are completely devoid of any communication with the outside world. This workshop is thought to be the first of its kind conducted in Israel.[9]

Controversy

A report published in Haaretz highlighted criticisms, made by at least ten past students and students' family members, of the unconventional methods endorsed in the center. Those include the unreserved loyalty demanded by Tzvieli, services students felt expected to provide to the teacher, such as feeding, cleaning, massage, and monetary donations, and a practice of boycotting students who decided to leave. Some students turned to the Israeli Center for Cult Victims after a period in the center. The report described an incident in which a student's marriage nearly terminated following an episode of "tantric relationship" with Tzvieli.[9]

Further reading

References
  1. "Method & Wisdom - EHVAM – An International Spiritual Center for Peace". Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  2. "Ehvam - International Center for Peace". Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  3. Lacey, Marc (17 June 2011). "Meditating in Silence as the Fire Draws Near". The New York Times. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  4. Tzvieli, Lama Dvora (26 April 2010). "Why Yoga? (Lama Yoga?) - Lama Dvora-Hella Tzvieli exposes Buddhism's Best-Kept Secret: Yoga" (in Hebrew). Makor Rishon. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  5. Tzvieli, Dr. Dvora (12 June 2007). "Unbearable: Dr. Dvora Tzvieli Continues to Teach Tonglen Meditation: Compassion & Wisdom" (in Hebrew). Makor Rishon. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  6. Lama Dvora about Ehvam - International Spiritual Center for Peace on Vimeo
  7. "Alan Wallace, World's Leading Mediation Researcher, to Host 2 Seminars in Israel" (in Hebrew). Maariv. 16 October 2019. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  8. Shani, Ayelet (11 December 2019). "What Happens to Someone After 50 Years of Meditation?" (in Hebrew). Haaretz. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  9. Bar On, Dani (7 May 2021). "Surrender to Lama Dvora: Inside an Israeli Buddhist Community That Follows an Extreme Path to Enlightenment". Haaretz. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
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