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Supporting the Developing Sangha

There are many ways you can contribute to and participate in what happens at Amaravati: whether it be by visiting and sharing in some of the communal practice opportunities like pujas or workshops, or practising quietly on your own in the Temple or another peaceful spot; staying as a guest to join in the routine and practise alongside the resident community; helping out with work that needs to be done (e.g. by coming for breakfast and joining in the morning working meditation period from 8.15–10.30 a.m., or offering skills such as transcribing and proofreading Dhamma teachings, etc.), offering food or other requisites, or by supporting the monastic community and the monastery financially by means of donations. You’ll find more information on ways to help other than through donations here. This page is intended to provide you with an overview of the various ways you can help the monastery financially.

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 for teachings or for accommodation or anything else. The monastery runs entirely on a donation basis, and depends for its continued existence and development upon the generosity of its lay supporters.

Members of the Theravada monastic tradition, the Sangha, 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 (i.e. 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

Online Donations (credit/debit card/Paypal)

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/Paypal 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.

More ways to support

Bank Account Details

To make domestic and international transfers please contact the Trust Secretary by sending an email to est AT amaravati DOT org (be sure to change the "AT" and "DOT" before emailing) to request details for the EST's bank account. We recommend that you check with your bank what charges will be made for a funds transfer. Please note that if your donation is for a specified purpose and the amount donated is more than necessary for the particular purpose any excess will be used for the general support of the Sangha.

Standing Order Forms

It is 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 and wish to, 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.

Wisely reflecting, I use the robe: only to ward off cold, to ward off heat, to ward off the touch off flies, mosquitoes, wind, burning and creeping things, only for the sake of modesty.

Wisely reflecting, I use almsfood not for fun, not for pleasure, not for fattening, not for beautification, only for the maintenance and nourishment of this body, for keeping it healthy, for helping with the Holy Life; thinking thus, I will allay hunger without overeating, so that I may continue to live blamelessly and at ease.

Wisely reflecting, I use the lodging only to ward off cold, to ward off heat, to ward off the touch of flies, mosquitoes, wind, burning and creeping things, only to remove the danger from weather, and for living in seclusion.

Wisely reflecting, I use supports for the sick and medicinal requisites: only to ward off painful feelings that have arisen, for the maximum freedom from disease.