Manage your centre’s activities
We’re developing tools for event registration, donations and memberships, alongside meals, accommodation and prayer or puja requests.
Technology in service of the Dharma
Joyful Effort works with Dharma centres to build technology that supports their work.
Our first project, Lotus, brings centre administration and the discovery of teachings into one platform. We’re developing it to make everyday tasks easier for centre teams and help more people find the teachings and communities that support their practice.
More time for the work that matters
Running a Dharma centre takes care, dedication and a great deal of administration. Teams often work across disconnected systems, adapting software designed for other industries. Essential knowledge can sit with just one person, making handovers difficult and leaving others unsure where to start.
We’re building Lotus around the needs of the people doing this work, with the aim of reducing repetitive tasks and making it easier to share responsibility.
Introducing Project Lotus
Lotus brings together the tools centres need to organise their programmes and support their communities, alongside a shared network where people can discover what centres offer.
Make your offerings easier to find
The discovery network will help people explore and filter events and teachings across participating centres, creating more opportunities to connect with your programme.
Help your team work together
An accessible administration system and easy access to your data are central to the design, helping staff and volunteers work with greater continuity.
Built with Dharma centres
Joyful Effort brings together Mindful Design and Meta Provide in collaboration with Dharma centres.
Our approach starts with the people who hold programmes and communities together. Their experience helps us understand what needs to work, where existing tools fall short and which improvements would make the greatest difference.
Our purpose is to support the flourishing of the Dharma and, through that work, to be of benefit to all sentient beings.
Affordable for centres. Sustainable for the future.
Private individuals currently fund the project. This support is helping us develop Lotus with the needs of Dharma centres at its heart.
Our aim is fair, sustainable pricing that centres can afford and that supports the ongoing work of maintaining and improving the platform. We know centres need clarity about costs and continuity before choosing software they will rely on.
Our approach to trust
Choosing software means entrusting it with part of your centre’s everyday work and the information your community shares with you.
Our Trust Centre will explain our approach to privacy, security and reliable service, with supporting information to help your team assess Lotus and ask informed questions.
Help shape what comes next
We welcome conversations with centres interested in Lotus. Tell us about your programme, the systems you use and what you would like to make easier for your team.
If you would like to support the project financially or contribute your experience and skills, we would also be glad to hear from you.