108 Lives
Spiritual practice through the Perfection of Giving.
In 2008, dedicated Buddhist practitioner Hector Marcel began a journey of what he called the “Perfection of Giving,” later known as the 108 Lives Project.
Instructed by his teacher, he set out with no fixed plan, only a commitment to serve.
He chatted with strangers. He leaned into serendipity and asked orphans, entrepreneurs, homeless, teachers… “How can I help?”
Then he asked, “How can I come back next year, and year after year, to help?”
And then, he brought a small group of students, worked with local communities and organized workshops, play dates, dinners. It became an annual trip. 108 Lives meant changing the lives of ‘one hundred and eight.’ And in the process, our own lives transformed.
It was never only about giving. It was a practice for the self: planting, in our own minds, the wish to help others.
It all started with asking a stranger in Nepal, “How can I help?”
Today, over ten years later, we’re reviving 108 Lives.
The Mission: Compassion in action. Lasting change beyond the journey.
108 Lives is a service project rooted in compassion, connection, and education. We travel to Nepal and offer help to those in need. Our mission goes beyond delivering supplies. It’s working alongside local communities to better understand their needs. It’s sitting with a child and offering time.
At 108 Lives, we are a movement rooted in compassion, connection, and education, walking alongside communities to spark profound change through small acts that ignite hope, nurture dignity, and create a brighter future, one life at a time.
Vision
We imagine a future where kindness bridges every divide, and learning opens doors to endless possibilities. 108 Lives envisions communities where people stand together, uplift one another, and create lasting change through shared understanding and compassion.
Our first pilot trip: May 2027
Local Community Outreach
Our community outreach activations take place throughout the 5 boroughs of New York City. At Three Jewels, we believe that inner peace should be accessible to everyone, which is why our community outreach is rooted in Seva, the profound practice of selfless service dedicated to uplifting others without expecting anything in return. Grounded in the ancient wisdom of the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. We believe that true practice extends beyond the yoga mat, and we invite our students to transform their own practice into active compassion by joining our volunteer team, assisting with community partners through maintaining sacred spaces beyond the walls of Three Jewels Enlightenment Studio. Our certified facilitators and dedicated student volunteers channel their collective energy into action, ensuring a safe, welcoming environment where anyone can heal and proving that when we serve each other, we all rise together. Some of our activations include chair yoga and meditation with older adult centers, tutoring children, and serving at homeless shelters to name a few.
For information please email info@threejewels.org