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Bank Account Details To read the recent report of the trustees of the monastery, please scroll down. Supporting the Developing Sangha
TRUSTEES REPORT 2010 This year has seen the gradual winding down of the Magga Bhavaka Trust (MBT), as the governing body of the monastery, and the establishment of the new Harnham Buddhist Monastery Trust (HBMT) as a charitable company. The governing documents of HBMT more accurately reflect the monastic vinaya and the relationship between the Sangha and the lay community and have a clear objective to support the Theravadan Forest Sangha Monastic tradition in this country. The current trustees of Magga Bhavaka Trust (MBT) are now all Directors of the HBMT. It is with a sense of gratitude and appreciation for the work of the MBT over the last twenty five years, and all previous trustees, that we now look to the future with the HBMT. The main work of MBT during 2009 has centred on preparations to transfer current assets (money in the bank) to HBMT and a formal resolution was passed by trustees to facilitate this. HBMT became the main operating body of the monastery on 1st January 2009. This has been no easy task. Our treasurer Clive Criper, office administrator Penny Wakefield-Pearce and supporter Tina Naples have put in a great deal of work to make the process go as smoothly as possible, for which we are extremely grateful. If you have a standing order to offer financial support to the monastery, you will have had letters from Tina explaining about the changes. Clive has now retired as treasurer and huge thanks go to him for all his contributions over the past years. Fixed assets (i.e. buildings) will for the time being remain with MBT whilst advice is taken and negotiations take place to convey the properties to HBMT. The two governing bodies will continue to work in tandem for a while, with a view to formally winding up MBT within the next two years. At the end of 2009 the finances of the monastery were very healthy. As well as the regular financial support we receive throughout the year from supporters and visitors, we also received a number of legacies and one off larger donations.
The financial generosity offered in 2009 has enabled the much needed refurbishment of monastic accommodation in the Byre, and the old conservatory has been replaced with a new structure. Sue’s room has now been transformed into a room for visiting Ajahns and the Dhamma hall has been thoroughly cleaned and repainted. The trust is also negotiating the purchase of the 4 acre lake at the bottom of the hill and the 5.5 acres of field that goes with it. This will be a valuable asset as the Sangha currently have very little outside space and there will be great potential to develop this area into a place both for solitary practice and for the celebration of festivals. Kusala House is now fully operational as guest accommodation and as an occasional retreat facility. We have a manager and a committee who take responsibility for the overall running of the house. So far this year we have offered three mixed retreats led respectively by Ajahn Thiradhammo, Ajahn Sucitto and Ajahn Abhinando. There will also be another retreat in November led by Ajahn Amaro. Further retreats are being organised for 2011. etreatants have expressed their appreciation of the facilities offered at Kusala House, the warm welcome and the excellent teachings received. Sutta study days are being offered by Professor Peter Harvey and there are two further days this year, in September and November. These days have been very well attended. Beginner’s meditation classes continue to be offered on a monthly basis and every month there is also a silent practice day. Two six week meditation courses for beginners have been organised and Ajahn Abhinando and Ajahn Punnyo continue to offer Dhamma discussion meetings on Wednesday and Sunday evenings. The monastery committee continues to meet on a regular basis and helps to organise ongoing practical support for the monastery. It is very pleasing to be able to report that so many positive developments have taken place in the last twelve months, in no small part due to the generosity of supporters of the monastery. It is also important to take into consideration the fact that some of these developments will have an ongoing cost implication. For example the lake area will need a boundary fence and we hope to also get permission to place a couple of huts and a shelter for meditation. The existing building at no 2 Harnham Hall Cottages is also in need of a new roof and replacement windows which may incur considerable expense. The generous donations we have received have been put to good use yet obviously we face further expenditure in order to both maintain and develop our monastery. The trustees continue to encourage regular donations by standing orders which are an important method of providing support for the monastery. Our ‘Helping Harnham’ leaflet also includes information about leaving legacies and how to support the ageing Samanas fund. In short, the work and effort continues and so does the need for your continued financial support, for which we are very grateful and upon which the survival of the monastery depends. The trustees would like to thank the monastic community for the teachings and spiritual guidance they offer and for the opportunities they provide to participate in the life and practice of the monastery. We are grateful also to those lay supporters who give generously of their time, skills and material support to ensure the sustainability of Harnham Buddhist Monastery. Trustees of MBT and Directors of HBMT Philippa Padbury |
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