Responsibility
An Insight into the Operations and Guiding Principles of the Temple
The Temple is a socially and environmentally responsible organization that puts people and the planet before profit, operating with integrity, and a central focus on reciprocity in the Amazon
We deeply honor and respect the plant-spirit medicine traditions of the Amazon.
We are committed to ethical operations and embodying a high level of integrity in everything we do.
We are committed to improving the quality of life of everyone who visits or works at the Temple.
We contribute to a better society and integrate Amazonian social and environmental concerns in our operations.
Surplus revenue outside our extensive operational expenses and development costs is used to fund outreach programs through our sister nonprofit organization, the Chaikuni Institute.
“The gold-standard for plant medicine healing and spiritual growth”
The Temple Infrastructure and Overheads
We are located in an extraordinarily beautiful jungle setting, two hours from Iquitos, in the Peruvian Amazon. Our grounds are filled with thousands of medicinal plants, medicinal and fruit trees, ayahuasca vines, native flowers, and ornamentals, as well as permaculture projects, fish farms, agroforestry plots, and our own food production sites.
The Temple now consists of over 50 buildings spread out across three separate centers; one main center dedicated to ayahuasca retreats; and two permaculture centers, one of which is the headquarters for the Chaikuni Institute’s permaculture & regenerative agriculture program.
We have on average around 70 people working for the Temple, 15 Shipibo who come from the Ucayali region and around 50 local people who are from the surrounding villages. Our local staff is paid considerably higher than standard wages in the area and receive social benefits that are uncommon in the Amazon Rainforest.
We care deeply about our staff’s welfare and cover critical health issues, national healthcare insurance, pensions, and pay 15 monthly salaries per year to each member of the team.
In addition, we provide extensive support to our local village, have built a clean-water source for the local villagers, and contribute monthly to general upkeep and infrastructure maintenance. The Temple is now the main economic driver in the area, indirectly supporting the families of our workers, over 500 people all together. We also have an administration office in Iquitos, with six staff.
“The Temple is of the highest degree of integrity”
Temple Financial Overview
Full Time Salaries and Taxes: Salaries paid to 50 full-time staff, two extra monthly salaries each year, taxes, and social security payments including health insurance
Part Time Salaries: Salaries paid to local part-time staff (porters and building crews)
Admin and Operating Costs: General operating costs including bank fees, transportation costs, office rent, office supplies, communications costs, legal fees, accountancy fees, licenses, permits, and income taxes
Food: Total cost of purchasing supplies for our kitchens
Ayahuasca and Medical Plants: Total cost of all medicinal plants and peripheral supplies for healing activities
Operating Supplies: Everything from cooking gas to toilet paper
Building Supplies: Development and maintenance of Temple infrastructure
Outreach Programs: The Chaikuni Institute (2013 to present) and Alianza Arkana (2011 to 2014)
Debt Repayment: Repayment of loans