"As he was sitting there, Ven. Ananda said to the Blessed One, 'This is half of the holy life, lord: admirable friendship, admirable companionship, admirable camaraderie.'

'Don't say that, Ananda. Don't say that. Admirable friendship, admirable companionship, admirable camaraderie is actually the whole of the holy life.' "
Samyutta Nikaya 45.2

There has been talk about Buddhist based co-housing and retirement places for years now. Several years ago I made the following suggestion at one group and a few immediately shot down the idea as being "yuppie Buddhism." But after all these years, there is still no Buddhist co-housing, so I offer the idea again, to whoever will listen:

Here is just an idea I would like to offer for a quick and easy way to form a co-housing community or at least a temporary one until a permanent one gets established:

1. Buddhists interested in co-housing could choose a condo mid-rise or hi-rise building in a desirable sunny area such as the Southwest and simply buy units as they come available.

2. Condo buildings already have a sort of community arrangement with club houses, common amenities such as fitness centers, pools, spas, etc.

3. Over time a high number of units would be owned by Buddhists with regular functions such as potlucks and meditation in the club house or rotating at people's condo unit.

4. Buddhists interested could purchase units in a forming co-housing community that has several vacancies and is open to Buddhists.

5. No building from the ground-up would be required. The process could start right away.

It may not be the most ideal situation, but it could work. It has been done in Taiwan and it also existed in Denver at one time (a building I owned which had a meditation hall and several Buddhist residents).

Photo above is from the meditation hall inside Regency Towers, Las Vegas where there have been some Dharma programs.