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Wat Srlntsnaram Temple C¢)mpiny Infomiadon for theYarEnd 31 Ortober 2023 Trustees PK. Sfvat•n•dh•mm•¥ldes IPa8anon Pllapanl Chairperson.. W.Clark Re8istered offi.. Moss lane Kea1¥ Bolton Lancashlre BL4 8SF Charity ReBtstrnbon Number 1124872 Ac¢•untants: S.A. Marlu&Co IAttount•ntsl 3 Mabfield Road FallowFlehl Manchester M14 6LP TSB Wythen5hiwa
Wat Srfr&tanoram Buddhi#Centre Chirity Re5¢tION Number IIZ4872 Stotement of Fln•ncl•l Ac¢i¥itlesforthe yar•nd•d 31 ottober 2023 Independent Examlnee5 Report on the accoynts to Wat SrfT•tn•r¥ okIhIl1 Mon•#eryTr¥st Respect respon5ibUrtles ol Trusttes and Ex•mlnor. The tharlwstrustees tonslder th3t an audlt 15 not re4ulred forthis year (under Settion 43121 of the Charities Act 1993 (the Artl as amended by s.28 ofthe CharrtiesAct 2c¥)61 and that an Independent examiner is needod. Is our responsiblllty to.. Examit the xcounts lurrfler St(lion 43 of the A¢ a$ 4mer¢dedl Followthe procedu$ lald down in the General OirecUon$8fven bythe Charity Commisslon lundersection 4317llbl o the Atl is amendeol an State whether particular rnatters havt tOOL •tteTrtlon Pa% of Ihdoptndent Eumlnerfs Report Qur èxamlnation was carried out in accord•ntewith t Gèneral 01redi wen bylhe Chan Cornmimloners. An ex8rnlnarion Includes o revi olthe attouftti records keo by the charlty and <omparisofi oltho accounts presented wlth thos¢ rec$. n also includes consideration ol any unusual irems or dlsdosuresln the •¢Co4nd seeknn8 eXPlanaU from ihe trusteesconcernin8 ny such matters. Th¢ procedures undertaken do not provide all of the ewdente that wjId b• required In an a¢Jdi(. and consequentty we do not exwess •n •udit opl#lon on the accounts. Ind•pendent Ex•rnlneesStst•m In the tourse ofour examthation. no matter hx come kn our •ttentlon, Whlch wes us reasonable uuse to belIe¥eth In afiy materi4 respert of ourtrustees hw¥ metthe iequirernèntsto•nsure that Pmper accountin8 records I kept lkn accOrdanceth Secikffj 41 Artl and xcounts are prepared. whlthayee wlthlhe records4Th1 ¢oryilywththe countlng requSrements oliheAcL' or. To which, in our oplnkn), atthntion ShOd be dravm in ord•rtoenabk a Frfoper understandlniofthe •ccowts to be re¥h*d. S. A. Mloa & Co (Accounthnrsl 3 Mabfleld Road, Fall01, Mafi¢hester, M14 6LP PwB
Wat Srlrninir4m Ouddhlstcèrtrè Inctym and Expendff<ure Atcount Fortheye•r fromol P4o%mber 2022 to 31 Odober2023 DoThition5 Jlttei¥ed 93785 116366 nk Char8es Council Tax Heit and U8ht Insurance Lelal and Pfofesslonal MotQf Expenses Event Costs Monks Trilnln6 and Exper$ purcSe of Fotsds PSA and Postsie5 Ront, Rates and Wat¢r Repalrs ind Renewals Telephone Tr•wlllThg and Accommod¥1n 5undrle5 Depreclatlon Accountancv 240 11513 936 12386 10401 4556 3783 19867 1532 Is1 578 1023 5755 Isc 34796 1707 938 2593 456 $45 9249 339? 1378 Nei Prollt I ILos51 foryear en*Jed 31.10.20ZY aln ProfitllLossl on OrdlnaryActlvrtles (1831) PwfftllLossl 810 from Prevlou$Year 4189526 Ret•kned Profit at 31.10.2023 Pa¢ei'
Wat Srlratanaram dhIst Centre alance Sheet A6 at 31 October 2023 2022 Property Van & Car Fl¥isJre & Fifiing 1498 1827 58 627 S11365 512742 Petty Cash Bank INewl TSB Cash In Hand 3Q)00 82296 29813 I?73 112214 Loan Creditors Ind knruals 9975Z 111596 ICQ700 95128 Total NetAsswl luabl1¢s) Profrt / (Lossl BIO Net Profft / (Loss) CapltaS Inuoduced 529828 489526 40302 Retslned Profft/{Lossl
Tax dalms will be submitted shortly. InrnI resourtas wlth r¢t•d eyndttyr• These are recorded gr05& The financlal $taiement was approved bytheTfu5tee5arh1 the Managemtnt CLknmittee and $18ne(l on 5ts behalf by, PK SrSratanadhammavldes IPa8anon Pllapjnl W.Cl¥rt•
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT
(Year 2023)
Wat Sriratanaram Monastery
In the supportive of HH SomdejPhramaDhiracharn
Registered Charity No. 1124872
1.Background
The major religion of Thailand is Buddhism; therefore, most Thai people who live far away from their country wanted to establish a local Buddhism Centre in Manchester, United Kingdom. This centre which is called Wat Sriratanaram temple was built in response to the needs and requirements of the Buddhist Community of the people of Manchester and the surrounding areas. In 2006, there were 8 Buddhism temples which were recorded in United Kingdom, and Wat Sriratanaram Monastery is now one of 22 in the UK. Venerable PK Sriratanadhammavides PhD., is the current abbot, he and his group are responsible for the running of the temple and all its activities. He is assisted by many devoted Buddhist volunteers who work to support the main activities and festivals of the Temple. Wat Sriratanaram Monastery moved 7 years to new premises which benefit from a capacity of over for over 1,000 people at each Buddhist Ceremony/Even. The Temple address is now Wat Sriratanaram Thai Buddhist monastery on Moss Lane, Kearsley, Bolton, Greater Manchester, BL4 8SF. UK Tel: 01204 921 621 https://www. watsriuk.org Email: watsri.uk@gmail. Com
2. Festivals from 2023
2.1 Thai New Year Songkran Festival on 14 April 2023
Songkran day is also known as Thai New Year to celebrate the beginning of new life and for families to spend time together. In addition, the younger generation can take this opportunity to reflect about good and bad things that they have done to older people over the last year and ask forgiveness from them for peace and harmony. Wat Sriratanaram temple celebrates this special festival for the Thai community. Therefore, Songkran festival was set at the new Temple, to gather Thai people to attend the festival as well as Thai culture were also displayed, such as Thai dancing, Thai boxing and Thai foods fair. The Buddhism ceremony was performed in the morning, including offer lunch for monks, chanting group and money donation, followed by Thai culture exhibition and Thai foods fair in the afternoon. Songkran Festival was very successful. There are approximately 600 people to join this event. The attendants profoundly appreciate and also plan to join next year.
2.2 Visakabhucha Day on 18 May 2023
Visakabhucha Day is one of essential day of Buddhism because at the same day, but different year, Buddha was born, perceive what he experienced through his life as well as the death. All Buddhists around the world will celebrate this day by going to temple, chanting and making merit for that
encounter. Many Buddhists nearby Manchester came to celebrate at Wat Sriratanaram Temple. The event ran all day. It began with offering breakfast and lunch to the monks. In afternoon, full chanting and mediation was applied to attendants. The purpose of meditation is to to release some stress that we all experience in our daily life.
2.3 Magha Puja Day on 30 March 2023
On March 2023, Magha puja Day is the day that Buddha declared his theory, which is called Ovatapatimok, food to all 1250 Arahans. These people faced each other without notification. Offering in the to monks by placing it in to the bowl was set to the morning activities, and then obtained food the bowl was eaten as lunch. Later on, Buddhists will chant and mediate with monks, especially walk theory with that Buddha used to spread in order to remind what he wants to teach us. The triple cycle was light candle was held to perform the celebration of Magha Puja Day as well. All events located at Wat Sriratanaram temple. Some part of theory can be employed to the problems of life, and lead to some solution. The attendants were truly happy.
2.4 Grand Opening Meditation Garden Day On 7-9 July l 2023
Meditation Garden grand opening ceremony it had 199 monks came from around the world to join and have general meeting of the Sangha Council in the united kingdom at Wat Sriratanaram under support of HH SomdejPhramah Thirachan the head Most venerable monk of Wat Phrachetupon vimolmonkalaram Bangkok Thailand. On that day. General meeting of the monks from the EU, USA, India, Thailand, came to join the meeting and celebration 17[th] anniversary of Wat Sriratanaram monastery.
2.5 Three months retreat rainy season (Koaw- Pan-sa) On 17 Jul 2023
In Buddha period, it is the strict regulation during harvesting period that all monks are necessary to stay in one place without going overnight anywhere else and study Dhamma throughout that period. There was no electricity in 2500 B.C., so Buddhists will offer the big fabulous candle to those monks.
to support their study in the night. Nowadays, Buddhists and monks still carry on this festival. Every who lives in Wat Sriratanaram temple is obliged to stay in this temple and study more in Dhamma. However, Buddhists can come to offer food or Sangkathana as usual. The large candle was also provided to monk according to the tradition. Three months hibernation is the great opportunity of both monk and Buddhist to gain their relationship in Dhamma because the monk afford time to study more in Dhamma and is available for Buddhist, not vacate anywhere.
2.6 Kathina Rope Offering Ceremony. It will be on 12 November 2023
On 4 Nevember 2022 Making merit and giving robe are a fantastic activity in Buddhist way and Katina is one festival that is suitable for doing it. Offer robe to the monks after processing hibernation for 3 months is to support the monks to replace old robe. Kathina is limited only 1month period after terminating 3 months hibernation. Wat Sriratanaram provided an array of free food to everyone who attended the ceremony. New robes were offered to monks in this temple, and full chanting as well as making merit. Wat Sriratanaram Temple uses this festival to provide free food for the supporters who
dedicate their time to help temple activities and also to welcome new people to the Temple from within and outside of the Thai Community.
2.7 Loy krathong Day 2023
On 25th November 23 Loy krathong Day is important day for Buddhist to humble the Queen of river because they use water in their daily life. This event is very useful to ask for forgiveness and realise how water supports us. Loy krathong festival was held at the new Temple. There are a large number of people coming to join this festival. The event had been separated in 2 main parts. The first part belonged to the Buddhism activities such as offer food for monks and chanting. Afterwards,wear
The second section began. There was the Nang Novpamas competition which allowed candidates to Thai custom, Thai dancing as well as Thai boxing. Thai food fair was also available. Krathong is one special material of this day because Buddhists will float it on the river to humble river's Queen. Therefore, this krathong was applied to float on large pool instead. The result of this festival was really successful. Many Buddhists came to join and enjoyed the ceremony and celebrations at the Tmeple. Thai culture can be conserved by this way although it is as same as the real festival in Thailand.
2.8 Money three on special occasions 2023
This is the festival majority is to provide the robe to monks as same as Kathina, but it is unlimited time. Money tree temple. As of festival because Buddhists will collect money from who is interested to donate to The a consequence, monks will use that money for renovate the temple and living expenses. fix their reason why they need to attach money with the tree is in ancient time monks are necessary to other monks robe by themselves, so Buddhists offer new robe by laying on the stick in the jungle. When supporters pass that tree, he could have it then. Wat Sriratanaram retrieved the money tree from occasionally. All money was collected in the Wat Sriratanaram account to further uses.
2.9 Ten Days Monk retreat (Parivasa) on 2 July-26 October 2023
If a bhikkhu/Monk has committed a Sanghadisesa offence and concealed it without confessing to any of his fellow bhikkhus, he shall observe Parivasa (a type of penance) for as many days as he has concealed it. After Parivasa has been observed, he shall observe Manatta (an extra penance to satisfy fellow bhikkhus) for six days. Only then, will he be rehabilitated in the Sangha by means of Abbhana-kamma (act of rehabilitation) at a formal meeting of the Sangha. Then he is purified of his offence.
3.Activities 2023
3.1 Making a Merit It means doing good things as mentioned in religious doctrine.
Thais' ways of life, since their birth until their death is so familiar with making merit. They strongly believe other they ought to regularly make and gain merit which would bring them happiness, peaceful life and are good things. Gaining merit will strengthen them to overcome any obstacles or misfortune they would suffering. They intend to gain more merit because they also believe their accumulated merit would help them to be in heaven or a peaceful place after their death. Even more merit they gained help them to reach nirvana (divine peace beyond this world).
Thais' belief is based on the Buddhist doctrine. The concept is as stated in a Thai proverb "if you do good you will receive good; if you do evil you will receive evil". It means the result of Karma which represents the evaluation of all life events, that is, you will receive the outcome of what you have already initiated.
A common rule in making merit is to prepare one's mind and thoughts. The mind must be purified and ready. Gaining merit, however, must not bring any trouble or worry to one or others. There are three ways of making and gaining merit. They are
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1) To give alms (Generosity) (give things or forgiveness for reducing wanted or unwanted)
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2) To maintain religious commandment taking five precepts, and
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3) To Chant and sitting Meditation.
If all of these are perfectly met, it represents a great merit making. But most people see that making is to give alms. That is partly true because it is the first step of a fully-gained merit. On this occasion only alms giving will be expressed as it is a very common Thais' way of life.
3.2 Offering the Sankhatan (Generosity) to Monks
To Offerings for priests or monks are an activity of merit making. Thai people strongly believe that this kind of merit making is most effective, because the offering go to priest or monks in general, and instead of specified individual. A person who wishes to make merit would prepare package of things bring them to temple. Then express his/her intention to the head monk. The head monk, then, it invites is monks to come and receive the offerings. If the things are to be given to specified monk, then no longer called the offerings (Sun-kha-tan).
Things offered are normally food and essential things in everyday life such as Sabong (wearing cloth), Jeeworn (covering cloth), towel, toothbrush, soap, tinned food, milk, and dried food. Tea, coffee, and money are also included. These things are offered as desired. If a person wishes to dedicate the merit to anybody, he/she would tell or write names to monks so that the monk can perform the rite to dedicate merits to named person.
The rite of offering to monks is simple. Just bring your things to Buddhist monk and let the monk know your intention. The monk then let you light up joss sticks and candles, then recite in Bali; (Bali) Imani mayung pantei, pattani, sapariwarani, pickup sunkhussa, ono chanama, ro pantei, pikkhu sungkho. Imani, pattani, sapariwarani, patikkhunhatu, umhakang, teekharuttang, hitaya, sukhaya. (Meaning) Respectful monks, we all here wish to offer these food and things for your own use.
We beg you to receive these offerings, so that we can get merit that would bring us a long lasting happiness. Then monks say "Sa-dhu" which represents their acceptance. After monks already take all offerings, blessings are given in Bali (Yata Suppee article) while we pour water to represent the dedication of merit to persons as wished. This concludes the activity of merit making by offering things for monks.
3.3 Making merit by putting food in the bowl of monks.
This tradition means putting food into the monks' bowl. Monks receive alms from people who believe they are gaining merit by giving. Every morning around 6.00 am - 7.00 am, monks silently pacing the
streets to receive offerings. It is understood that this is an opportunity for people to gain merit. Foods offered to monks are well prepared. Newly cooked rice, various kinds of savoury, sweet and fruits. Some people may prepare flowers, joss sticks and candles. When the monk arrives, people will ask them to stop then they will place foods into the bowl monks are carrying. Flowers, joss sticks and candles are put on the metal lid of the bowl or into monks' bag. Then they will get blessed. While monks are blessing, one should pour water which shows that they wish to devote the merits they gained with their relatives who have already passed away. This step concludes the rite of making merit by giving alms. Making merit by giving alms has been part of Thais' lifestyle for thousands of years. It is mentioned in two parts of Buddha history.
First, when Buddha just became enlightened, he went to stay at a milky tree. Merchants named.
Tabussah and Palikah passed by and deeply admired the prestige of Buddha. They gave their provision to Buddha. Buddha used his bowl to receive food offered. Second, when Buddha went to the forest of mango trees, Anupiya district, province of Makadha. He went about with a bowl to receive food. When he passed King Pimpisana's city of Rajgrah. The people in the city saw him doing this for the first time, So they brought food and put it into Buddha's bowl. It became tradition until present. So we can see monks and novices carrying bowl pace the streets every morning. We can also see all kinds of people are willing to make merit which is to give alms, giving food to monks and novices. Anyway, we haven't got a chance doing in the morning every day in UK, because of the weather. We try to keep on this tradition in Manchester. In summer on the first Tuesday of week each month, Wat Sriratanaram monks will go to Binthapaha at China town, Manchester around 10.15- 10.45 am on Sunday.
- 3.4 Chanting and Meditation at Wat Sriratanaram,
we have been a full chanting on Sangha day, then we will sit meditation and Dhamma talked during 18.00- 20.30 pm on every day.
4.Target 2023
After we buy and moved to new address it is Manor Golf house before we got the permission from city council to set up place of worship and resident for monks
This year we have finish the meditation garden, including the installation meditation huts,
The Lord mayors and mp. from Bolton city council came to opened on 9 July 2023
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to open non- formal education centre school
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We are going to do meditation culture room, we follow all relevant legislation and follow the
law of city council.
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3.To open Sunday school for Thai and British Community and other
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To make apply for charity Sunday car boot sale for 6 months on our temple's land
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To open an English class for Thai and non-Thai who need to improve their life and helping
community
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To helping the people who wish to learn meditation and cultures
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To support and help the children and welcome with Thai and British Community. Changing of trustee
5. Name of Trustee for year 2023
-The Head monk of temple and managing Trustee
: PK Sriratanadhammavides
The Abbot of Wat Sri Monastery
-Trustee Chairwoman of Community
Mrs : Wilaiwan Clarke Advisor Trustee: : Mrs Peanpron Beddard Advisor Trustee: Mr Pornthep Chumruang Trustee : Mr Steven Clarke -Trustee: Mrs Uraiwan Cuncliffe -Trustee: Mrs Napha Parr -Trustee: Mrs Saisamorn Kamnonchan -Trustee secretary : Mr P Chaisimma -Trustee : Mr Anucha Inkham