Triratna Buddhist Communlty (Nottlngham)
(Registered charity, nurnber 1044031)
Flnancial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2023
Page
Contents
Trustees, annual report
Independent exam inerfs report
Receipts & payments account
Statement of assets & liabilities
Notes to the accounts
10
capLUS
uCIl,'IIILI.'lJiTY i'iLLUUNTiiNG

Triratna Buddhist Community (Nottingham)
Trustees, annual report
for the year ended 31 December 2023
Full name Triratna Buddhist Community (Nottingharn)
Other names by which the charity is known Nottingham Buddhist Centre
Reglstered charlty number 1044031
Principal address 9 St Marrfs Place, La￿ Market, Nottingham, NG1 1 PH
Trustees
Lucy Jane Spence (Kusaladevi), Chair,
Rachel Woodburn. Treasurer
Gareth Austin (Dayajava). Secretary
Joanne Coates (Kshantika)
Cornelia Anna Maria Remijn (Khemasiri)
Paul Johnson
Upekshanandi Monika Podgorska, frorn 27.3.23
Peter Robert Cox (Jnanaruchi), from 27.3.23
Jesus Marquez Briceno (Aryavacin) until 20.2.23
Dory Lake (Karunavaca), until 22.5.23
Jyotida Melboume. until 28.7.23
Independent examiner
John O'Brien. employee of Community Accounting Plus, Units 1 & 2 North West. 41
Talbot StreeL Nottsngham, NG15GL
Governance and management
The charity is operated under the njles of its constitution adopted 23 October 1994 and
most recently amended 27 March 2011.
All new trustees are invited through discussion between existing trustees (the Council),
to ensure that they are in harmony with the aims of the charity. In practice this means
that trustees are selected from the pool of ordained Buddhists and those who have
requested Ordination in Triratna in Nottingham. Trustees are nominated by the
charitls members and appointed at the AGM as per the constitution. The constitution
allows a minimum of 4 and maximum of 10 trustees. Fifteen regular trustee (Council)
meetings were held in 2023.
Objectives and activlties
The object of the Triratna Buddhist Community is the advancement of the Buddhist
religion. in particular:
To encourage the mernbers and others to live in ac(J)rdance with the teachings
of the Buddha;
To support ordained members of the Triratna Buddhist Order and other duly
ordained Buddhists. at the discretion of the council of the Nottingham Buddhist
Centre.
To maintain close communication with, and work under the guidance ol the
Triratna Buddhist Order and in co-operation with other groups with the same
objects.

Triratna Buddhist Communlty (Nottingham)
We are an intemational Buddhist movement bringing the Buddha's teaching to the
general public.
In 2021 The Counciltrrustees revisited the centre's vision and agreed key themes."
1 . Facing outwardlresponding to the world with the Buddha's teathing;
2. Deepening practi￿ of the Buddha's teaching within our community;
3. Making the Buddha's teachings accessible (by encouraging a diverse and
inclusive sangha/comrnunity).
We have sustained a diverse range of events and activities that make available the
teachings and practices of the Buddha to the local cornrnunity. We run events for the
general public and when possible. to educational establishments across the region. We
run activities at the ￿ntre and in various locations outside. This year most of our
activities have moved back to in-person events, although we have maintained t)oth
online and hybrid events (t)oth online and in person) to make our activities more
ac￿Ssible for those who find it difficult to attend in person.
Public beneflt statement
The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in section 17 of the
Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission's general guidance
on public benefit. 'Charities and Public Benefir.
Summary of the main actlvities undertaken for the public benefit
Meditation classes and Buddhist teachings can provide valuable support to people and
assist them to deal with the uncertainties of their lives and meditation can improve
mental health and decrease stress. This can enable people to rnore fully participate in
all areas of their lives.
Summary of the maln achievements durlng the period
In 2023, our activities were back in person at the Buddhist Centre. We maintained a
hybrid (in person and online) element for our sangha (cornmunity) nights, to ensure
that as many people as possible &qn attend and to ensure we are more accessible to
those who find it difficult to attend physically.
There continued to be a high demand for Introductory courses in 2023, which seemed
to be due to people coming out of the Covid 19 lockdowns and searching for
community and Buddhist teaching to support their lives and the suffering they had
encountered. This meant that we could fulfil one of our main charitable objectives,
reaching and intr(¥Jucing people to the Buddha's teachings, whilst also helping reduce
the isolation present in society due to the pandemic.
EVENTS
The Buddhist Centre runs regular classes and events for sangha members and also
introductory classes for newcomers. We have now increased to 3 weekly drop in

Trlratna Buddhist Community (Nottingham)
meditation classes, open to anyone who wishes to leam meditation. These have been
popular and full throughout the year.
Our main regular events this year were sangha night for the whole community
(weekly), Drop in meditation classes (3x weekly), study sessions for Mitras and those
doing the foundation course, puja nights (monthly), meditation momings (occasional),
Introduction to Buddhism and Meditation courses, follow on courses, men's and
women's gatherings, sub 35 adivities and the monthly People of Colour (EMPOC)
group. We also had a residential retreat for the sangha, some guest run weekends at
the Buddhist Centre and some Order Member and Mitra gatherings.
We also celebrated the main Buddhist festivals this year.
Yoga - Bodhiyoga is a regular part of the Buddhist centre offerings, on a donation
basis. These classes are a wonderful way for new people to meet the Buddhist centre.
as well as supporting those who are regular in the sangha. This year there were a
number of successful Yoga day retreats, which had benefits to our regular sangha, as
well as introducing new people to the centre.
We held special events during Buddhist Action Month in June, including a working day
in partnership with Stonebridge City Fami, a local fanm charity and a street meditation
to raise awareness of the benefits of stillness and meditation in the rnidst of busy lives.
DONATIONS
Regular monthly donations were as expected throughout the year. Our total donations
for the year were around £2700 higher than budgeted. We are very grateful for these
generous donations.
MAINTENANCE
We were approached to take part in a Nottingham Trent University Sustainability in
Enterprise project back in 2022. As part of this project. students came to assess the
sustainability of our building and make suggestions as to how we rnight become rnore
environmentally sustainable and use less Ca￿On. Of the suggestions made. the work
we chose to carry out in 2022 was to double glaze the windows at the back ol the
building and to install new insulation in the loft space. We received a grant in January
2023 towards 400/0 ol the woth carried out thanks to the project. We successfully
fundraised for the remaining amount in February 2023. Other Regular maintenance
occurred in the building this year as required.
cio
Work continues to help us transition to being a CIO.

Triratna Buddhist Community (Nottingham)
OTHER ACTIVITIES
We had a Presidential visit from Ratnaghosha. who met with the Buddhist Centre
council. Mitras and Order members, as well as other sangha members. He also led a
morning for volunteers.
Jnanaruchi became the new Men's Mitra Convenor in October 2023.
We continued with Interfaith work this year. One of our Trustees, Rachel Woodbum. is
now a chaplain at the University of Nottingham.
There have been some changes in the men's residential community above the ￿ntre.
A new community member moved in during January 2023. A second moved in during
June 2023. Another rnoved out in June 2023.
We adopted new Safeguarding policies for 2023 - these &an be found on our website:
htt s:l/nottin
hambuddhistcentre.or
/our-
olicies
Our safeguarding officer has co-ordinated the work to address any safeguarding issues
throughout the year. The details of what has been done by whom and why. have been
securely logged by her. We appointed a new Safeguarding officer. Upekshanandi
Monika Podgorska, on 27th March 2023 and a new Safeguarding Trustee, Gareth
Austin (Dayajava) on 24th July 2023.
Many volunteers joined or continued with us in 2023, for which we are so grateful. As
well as supporting the Centre's activities, volunteering is an opportunity for members of
our sangha to creatively engage together on projects, as part of their Dharma practice.
This year. two people joined the Order, which was very joyful. Also. twelve people
made the commitrnent of becoming Mitras and 5 people asked for ordination. There
are currently 13 active Order members. There are currently 54 Mitras and 27 of them
have requested Ordination.
The Buddhist Centre and sangha are thriving. with many people making commitments
in their Buddhist practice and supporting each other, as well as newcomers. in their
Buddhist practice.
EMPLOYEE CHANGES
The Men's Mitra Convenor, Aryavacin, left at the end of Jan 2023. The Buddhist Centre
Council extended thanks for all his work over his time working at the centre. He has
given much love and energy to support the centre.
Our Centre Manager, Dayajava. left at the beginning of October 2023. The Buddhist
Centre Council extended thanks for all his work over his time working at the centre. He
has been very generous in the time and energy he has given to support the centre.

Triratna Buddhist Community (Nottingham)
A new Men's Mitra Convenor, Jnanaruchi and a new Centre Administrator, Eve, started
in October 2023- we are very glad to have them as part of the team.
At the point of writing, there are 3 supported Order Members (Chair, Women's Mitra
Convenor and Men's Mitra Convenor), a PT salaried Centre Administrator and a PT
salaried bookkeeper.
Financial review
We've ended 2023 with just under £12.000 surplus. Even once we allocate £10.000 of
that to cover the shortfall we had last year (due to our 2022 building work for which
grant money and fundraising came in 2023). we still brought in £2000 more than we
spent in 2023. This is good news as it allows us to plan for further growth in our Centre.
Our recurring donations continue their steady rise year on year, another encouraging
sign of our financial health as well as the number and commitment of our members.
We were also very pleased wth the Suc￿sS of a new fundraising campaign we ran in
2023, 'February is Giving Month.. Through two large events and a well-designed
regular giving campaign, all run by a team of dedicated rnembers of our community
with the help of many other community members. we were able to raise around £6000
in one-off donations and £400 per month in increased regular giving. We plan to make
Giving Month an annual event.
Financial risks
As stated above, we face financial risks from any decreases in regular donations, in
event-specific donations, or in rent. Of these three, the biggest risk is probably in
regular donations, which is likely to be sensitive to the economic environment. As living
costs and inflation increase, donors may have less income available to give us. We
mitigate this risk by keeping a close eye on regular giving each month, so we will be
able to resFK)nd quickly to changes. We also ￿an to do a regular giving appeal each
year.
On the cost side, we also face risks associated with our building. particularly as the
climate crisis leads to more frequent and more severe storms which may cause
damage which we'll need to repair. We have replaced windows on the north side of the
building as well as improving our loft insulation in 2022, so we can feel confident that
we shouldn't need to do more in that area in the near future.
The charitys policy on reserves
We rely on income Irom regular donations, from event-specific donations and from rent
of our building to cover our operational costs. If any of those three were to decrease
substantially, we would need to rely on our reserves to cover those costs until we were
able to increase income again or costs in some way. It's also possible that we will
lace an unexpected one-off cost, most likely if we needed an emergency repair or
upgrade to our building. We consider it prudent to maintain reserves representing 3-6
months of operating costs in order to protect against these risks.

Triratna Buddhist Community (Nottingham)
At the end of 2023, our reseNes stood at £28,241 representing 3.1 months of projected
costs. This is in line with our policy, but on the low end. This is due to our increased
plans for spending in 2024 in order to provide more services to our community and to
the wider Nottingham public. For example, we are offering an extra six-week
Introduction to Buddhism & Meditation course this year. It's important to us to make
good use of the funds generously donated to us, and while remaining financially
prudent, not tying up too much of them in reserves.
Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees:
Signed
Lucy Jane Spenc
Date
(Kusaladevi). Trustee

Independent examinetrs report to the trustees of
Triratna Buddhist Community (Nottingham)
for the year ended 31 December 2023
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Triratna Buddhist
Community (Nottingham) (the charity) for the year ended 31 December 2023.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in
accordan￿ with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act,).
I report in respect of rny examination of the charity's accounts carried out under section
145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the
applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the
Act.
Independent examinerfs statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention
in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material
respect:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section
130 of the Act" or
2. the accounts do not accord with those records.
I have no concems and have come across no other matters in connection with the
examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a
proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed
John O'Brien MSC,
CCA, FCIE
Employee of Comrnunity Accounting Plus
Date

Triratna Buddhist Community (Nottingham)
Receipts & payments account
for the year ended 31 December 2023
20
Note
Receipts
Activities contri bulior6
Bank interest
Gift Aid reclaim
Grarts & donatiorB
Rent
Sales
SurL1ryir￿rne
Totsl receipts
3012
53
7524
51363
15920
2655
3824
315
10512
64262
19225
3526
877
102541
80527
Payments
Activities & events
Bank trarLsaction charges
Cortsumable items
Donations paid
Equipmerrt. repairs & rerEwals
FurKlraisiro & publicity
leperKlent exami nation fee
knSurar￿e
Payroll & professional seNces
Premises
PrintirKJ & statiorEry
SIK)p purchases
Support costs
Te￿p1K)ne & postage
Trai riro, accommodation & retreat expenses
sU￿1ry payments
Total payments
972
974
1033
2145
879
420
612
1983
851
18482
108
1325
52739
132
1117
1748
2501
803
1204
630
2261
1273
11244
243
2222
58542
901
5734
7479
90886
90563
(10359) Net receiptsl(payments)
31040
Cash furxls at start of this period
20681
Cash funds at end of this period
11978
20681
32659

Triratna Buddhist Community (Nottingham)
Statement of assets and liabilities
at 31 December 2023
Cash assets
Bank accoLrts
Cash in hatKI
Nole
20673
32659
20681
32659
Other monetary assets
Debtors - Bank interest
Prepayments - knSurar￿e
Stock
4129
826
6402
11357
142
942
6424
7508
Assets retained forthe charity's own use
Lar£1 & buikJirKJ purchased in 1995, cost £135,000
GerEral equipment retairEd for use by charity
Liabillties
1145
L Creditors
(1145)
1213
(1213)
These financial statements are accepted on behalf of the charity by:
Signed
Rachel Woodburn, Trustee
Dated
10

Triratna Buddhist Communlty (Nottingham)
Notes to the accounts
for the year ended 31 December 2023
1. Recelpts & payments accounts
Receipts and payments accounts contain a summary of money received and money spent
during the period and a list of assets and liabilities at the end of the period. Usualty, cash
received and cash spent will include transactions through bank accounts and cash in
hand.
2. Grants & donations
Nottingham Trent
Building rna1ntenan￿ donations
Sundry donations
4077
5625
54560
64262
3. Premises
Council tax
Utilities & servicing
Maintenance & repairs
2400
7939
905
11244
4. Creditors
Support costs
Independent examination fee
481
732
1213
5. Premises
The premises are owned by the Triratna Buddhist Community (Nottingham). The
cost of the property in 1995 was £135,000. the property was last valued in 2019 at
approximately £350,000.
6. Trustees, remuneration
6 Tnjstees are ordained Buddhists and they received financial support in the form of a
salary totalling £46,635. Trustees are also allowed £1,800 each a year towards retreats.
Another trustee re￿iVed £1.115 which was 500/0 of donation takings foi the yoga class she
delivered.

Triratna Buddhist Community (Nottingham)
Notes to the accounts (continued)
for the year ended 31 December 2023
7. Related party transactions
There were no related paty transactions during the period.
8. Glossary of terms
Creditors: These are amounts owed by the charity, but not paid during the
accounting period.
Debtors: These are amounts owed to the charity. but not re￿iVed in the
accounting period.
Prepayments: These are services that the charity has paid for in advance. but not
used during the accounting period.
12