Supporting the Developing Sangha

One of the traditional characteristics of Theravada Buddhism is that the teachings of the Buddha are made freely available to those who wish to receive them. Following this tradition, at Amaravati Buddhist Monastery no charge is made either for teachings or for accommodation. The Monastery runs entirely on a donation basis, and depends for its continued existence and development upon the generosity of its lay supporters.

Monastics of the Theravada tradition live in accordance with the original monastic code - the ‘Vinaya’. This prohibits monks from handling or holding personal rights over money. Consequently, the finances of the Monastery are ‘stewarded’ by a charitable body, The English Sangha Trust Ltd - and are administered by the charity’s Finance Sub Committee, which reports to the Board of Trustees. Trustees and Committee Members are friends and supporters of the Monastery, who serve in this capacity as an expression of their commitment to Dhamma.

The finances are administered in two main categories of funds, the General Fund for the daily running of the Monastery, and where appropriate through Designated Funds which support various building projects and development of the amenities. All of the funds are administered by the Trust and the Committee who manage the funds in accordance with the wishes of the donors. Donations can be made to the General Fund, or for a particular (ie designated) purpose. If amounts received into a designated fund exceed the related expenditure, any excess will be used for the general support of the Sangha.

The latest audited financial statements of The English Sangha Trust Ltd can be accessed on the UK Charity Commission website by using the following link: Charity Commission Website

How can I help?

Donations of a financial and material nature are obviously essential but offers of assistance in other forms are necessary for the smooth running of the monastery. The following should give you some idea of what form of support might best suit you.

Dana

Food Donations
As in the time of the Buddha, the monastery does not grow or buy food and therefore is completely dependent on daily alms and donations of food. Please call the monastery prior to donating food items to inquire about which specific things are currently needed. Kitchen needs change frequently and this is particularly the case with fresh food.

Meal Offering
The monastics eat one main meal a day in late morning and the monastic regulations require that they finish by midday. If you would like to make an offering for the meal, please call in advance if possible to coordinate with the kitchen manager and plan to arrive by 10:00 am (11:00am British Summer Time).

Offering a Meal at the Monastery
Offering food to the monastic community provides an opportunity to visit and participate in the lifestyle of the monastery. A simple menu is fine, but do remember that it is the only meal for the day. You may feel awkward preparing food in someone else’s kitchen. If that is the case, it may be easier if you’ve prepared the main dish ahead of time. When offering the meal at the monastery, the kitchen manager can help explain the protocol for offering food to the monks. If you are interested in offering a meal please submit our donation form or contact the monastery.

Offering Goods and Supplies
The monastic code requires the sangha to be dependent upon the lay community for all their physical needs. Besides food, other goods and supplies are needed for the resident community and the running of the facilities.

Volunteer

Daily Chores and Work
Each morning the monastery holds a work period from 8.00 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. We have a wide variety of projects that people can help with depending on their abilities. Any help is welcomed and greatly appreciated. On the Lunar Observance and following day there is no work period.

Offering Services – Lotus Volunteer Group

The monastic Sangha are able to live as mendicants because laypeople respect their training and are prepared to help to support them. This gives rise to a sense of mutual respect and co-operation in which both layperson and samana (religious seeker) are called upon to practise their particular lifestyles and responsibilities with sensitivity and sincerity.

The Lotus Volunteer Group, launched in January 2012, is managed by a group of lay supporters with the following aims:

– to establish and communicate a range of opportunities that exist for supporting the community at Amaravati

– to identify suitable and willing volunteer support as and where possible

– to enable the fulfilment of the many opportunities that exist

Please visit the Lotus Volunteer Group website at www.lotusvolunteergroup.org where you can register as a member of the group and can stay informed about opportunities to volunteer your time, energy and skills.

Online Donations (credit/debit card)

The Trustees of The English Sangha Trust offer the following online facilities as a convenient way of making online donations to the monastery (please click the following link):

Online donation using debit/credit card payable in UK Sterling, Euros, or US Dollar. Please note that The English Sangha Trust will incur a transaction charge of 4% for online donations (on donations attracting Gift Aid) and 3% on all other donations, including those from overseas supporters. 

It is possible to make donations to general funds and also to specified projects. If you wish your donation to be used for a particular purpose you can also advise the Trust Secretary by sending an email to est AT amaravati DOT org (be sure to change the “AT” and “DOT” before emailing)

Please note that if the amounts donated for a specified project are ultimately more than necessary any excess will be used for the general support of the Sangha.

Bank Account Details

Standing Order Forms

It is very helpful to the monastery to know that there is some degree of regular financial support. Standing orders are one very helpful way of ensuring this. If you are in a position to make such an offering then you can do so by completing a standing instruction to your bank (monthly, quarterly or annually). In certain circumstances it is possible for the Trust obtain tax relief on such donations.  If you wish to make a donation to the monastery by a standing order with your bank please print the following document and complete this form and post this to

The Trust Secretary,
Amaravati Buddhist Monastery,
Great Gaddesden,
Hemel Hempstead,
Herts HP1 3BZ

Download standing order document (click for PDF)

Donations By Post

One-Off donations
Donations can be made in the form of cash or cheques (made payable to The English Sangha Trust Ltd) placed in the donation envelopes provided. Again, under certain circumstances, the monastery can claim tax relief.

If you live in the UK there is the option of posting us a cheque. Please make cheques payable to

The English Sangha Trust Ltd

and send them to:

Amaravati Buddhist Monastery, Great Gaddesden, Hemel Hempstead, Herts HP1 3BZ.

If you wish your donation to be used for a particular purpose please include a note when sending the donation. Please note that if the amount is more than necessary for the particular purpose any excess will be used for the general support of the Sangha.

We currently have enough of….

Food

All kinds of pasta and noodles, white rice, white sugar.

Household

Toothpaste, toothbrushes, washing up liquid, soap bars.

We need more of…

Food

Vegetables and salad greens, butter (margarine), sunflower/olive oil (for cooking), cheese brown rice, fresh fruits, cereals/muesli, porridge oats, dried prunes, nuts, brown sugar, honey, UHT milk, soy milk, fruit juice (clear fruit juice with no bits - no added sweeteners please!), chopped tinned tomatoes.

Household

Dinner-size candles, matches, toilet paper, kitchen towels, cling film, window, bathroom and kitchen cleaners, cream cleaner, Brasso, black bin liners, shower gels, liquid hand soap, shaving foam, disposable razors, washing powder, water softener powder, Washing Machine Descaler, lime scale remover, Maxtra / Brita water filter cartridges.

Office

A4 photocopier paper, batteries: 9V, AAA (standard or rechargeable) AA (rechargeable), stamps 2nd class, 68p and higher values.


• • •

Amaravati Retreat Centre

The following items would be useful at the Retreat Centre, which functions somewhat independently from the monastic community:

- Vileda mop heads
- toilet paper, preferably made from recycled paper
- kitchen rolls, preferably made from recycled paper
- Ecover laundry liquid
- paracetamol 100mg and 500mg
- 2nd class stamps


THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND SUPPORT!