HARMONY & COMMUNITY

The lotus pond at the Upper Hamlet of Plum Village, international Buddhist community, was leaking. Once meant to symbolize peace and balance, it had become an eyesore.

After more than a year of planning with the community, we had the opportunity to volunteer and co-create a new, nature-inclusive pond. Within a week, and with the helping hands of monastics and retreatants, we completed a 200 m² water feature—the largest participatory construction project studio audal has organised to date, with up to 40 volunteers working simultaneously.

The new pond merges the traditional Vietnamese symbolism of the lotus with innovative bio-engineering and nature-inclusive principles. Gently sloped, planted banks form an ecological stepping stone within the broader Plum Village ecosystem, supporting local fauna while integrating seamlessly into the landscape.

A dedicated wetland area purifies the rainwater feeding the pond, while a ring of coconut coir logs stabilises the soil of the nature-inclusive banks and maintains the lotus at the centre.

This project demonstrates how symbolism, ecology, and community engagement can come together to create a thriving ecosystem and a serene space for tea ceremonies, group meditation, and Dharma circles.