Buddha Dhamma Fellowship The Forest Hermitage Lower Fulbrook Warwickshire CV35 8AS
Registered Charity Number 289913
Unaudited Accounts
For the Year Ended 31 March 2025
Unaudited Accounts – The Buddha Dhamma Fellowship – Registered Charity No. 289913
| Table of Contents | |
|---|---|
| CHARITY INFORMATION | 3 |
| TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT | 4 |
| INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT | 6 |
| STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES | 7 |
| BALANCE SHEET | 8 |
| NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS | 9 |
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Unaudited Accounts – The Buddha Dhamma Fellowship – Registered Charity No. 289913
Charity Information
Trustees
Antony James Harfield
Nilar Win
Robert Bryan Yellowhammer Christopher Donald Cook
David Edmundson (appointed 24 August 2025)
Frances Diana Pitt (resigned 31 December 2024)
Secretary
Nilar Win
Charity Number
289913
Principal Office
The Forest Hermitage
Fulbrook Lane Lower Fulbrook
Warwickshire CV35 8AS
England
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Unaudited Accounts – The Buddha Dhamma Fellowship – Registered Charity No. 289913
Trustees' Annual Report
The Trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31st March 2025 and confirm they comply with the Charities Act 2011, the trust deed and the Charities SORP (FRS102). The Trustees confirm they have complied with their duty under the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission.
Management and governance arrangements
The Charity was registered on 30th July 1984.
Committee Members (Trustees) are elected at the AGM by simple majority of those Members present and voting. The Constitution says that the Executive Committee shall consist of not less than three and not more than nine Members. The Spiritual Advisor is also a member ex officio. All existing Trustees have received a copy of document CC3 - The Essential Trustee: an introduction. The charity's finances are also explained and discussed at the AGM.
The Trustees annually review the risks that the charity faces.
The charity is a public benefit entity as set out in PBE3.3A
The Buddha Dhamma Fellowship administers The Forest Hermitage Buddhist Monastery and acts as steward of the Sangha, the community of monks founded by the Buddha more than 2,500 years ago. The senior monk, the Venerable Ajahn Khemadhammo, with other monks and a lay-attendant reside at the monastery. The tradition is that of the Theravada school.
On 10th April 2019 the Trustees agreed to transfer ongoing responsibility and ownership of the assets and liabilities held by the Buddha Dhamma Fellowship to the Forest Hermitage Trust (a charitable company registered at Companies House under company number 10368008 and the Charity Commission under charity number 1173083), for £zero financial consideration. The Purposes of the Forest Hermitage Trust are similar to the Buddha Dhamma Fellowship. The transfer has been accounted for as a charity merger by the Forest Hermitage Trust.
Review of the year: main activities undertaken by the charity to further its charitable purposes for the public benefit
The objective of the charity is to provide a place for the practice and teaching of Buddhism. Each year our Trustees review our objectives and activities to ensure they continue to reflect our aims. In carrying out this review the Trustees have considered the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit and in particular its supplementary public guidance on the advancement of religion for the public benefit.
Financial activities &future plans
In order to protect an irrevocable trust linked to the Buddha Dhamma Fellowship and also the licence for the Home Office points based immigration system, The Buddha Dhamma Fellowship will continue for the foreseeable future.
Due to the lengthy process of transferring contracts, particularly donations, the Buddha Dhamma Fellowship has continued to receive donations and make payments since the transfer date.
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Unaudited Accounts – The Buddha Dhamma Fellowship – Registered Charity No. 289913
Surplus monies in respect of its charitable activities since the transfer are held in trust on behalf of the Forest Hermitage Trust and will be donated to the Forest Hermitage Trust.
Therefore, the charity’s main source of income remains charitable giving, which is used to maintain the fabric of the monastery and provide for the wellbeing of the monks, via the Forest Hermitage Trust.
Reserves Policy
The Trustees’ policy is not to hold reserves, and transfer all funds to The Forest Hermitage Trust.
Statement of Trustees’ responsibilities
Charity law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which show a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed, subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operational existence.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by Antony Harfield, Trustee
SIGN
___, dated 9 November 2025
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Unaudited Accounts – The Buddha Dhamma Fellowship – Registered Charity No. 289913
Independent Examiner’s Report
I report to the Trustees of the Buddha Dhamma Fellowship (Reg. Charity No 289913) on the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025, which are set out on pages 7 to 11.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 (2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act,
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to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act, and
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to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner's report
My examination was carried out in accordance with General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Act; and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the Act have not been met; or
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to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Aung Soe, B.Econ, FCCA, MBA Date: 29-Oct-25 Chartered Certified Accountant
ACE Insight Business Solutions Ltd, 13 Greville Road, Warwick, CV34 5PB
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Unaudited Accounts – The Buddha Dhamma Fellowship – Registered Charity No. 289913
Statement of Financial Activities
| Total | Total | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | 31/03/2025 | 31/03/2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Income | ||||
| Donations and legacies | 11,806 | - | 11,806 | 13,291 |
| Gift aid | 11,485 | 11,485 | - | |
| Charitable activities – Angulimala | 2,600 | - | 2,600 | 2,600 |
| Charitable activities – Prison visits | - | - | - | 779 |
| Bank interest | 29 | - | 29 | 107 |
| Total | 25,920 | - | 25,920 | 16,777 |
| Expenditure | ||||
| Charitable Activities: | ||||
| Donations to Forest Hermitage Trust | 25,530 | - | 25,530 | 16,405 |
| Other (Management & Administration): | ||||
| Subscriptions | 80 | 80 | 60 | |
| Car running costs | 35 | 35 | 35 | |
| Legal & Professional | - | - | - | - |
| Bank Charges | 274 | - | 274 | 277 |
| Total | 25,920 | - | 25,920 | 16,777 |
| Net Income | - | - | - | - |
| Fund Balance c/f | - | - | - | - |
The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
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Unaudited Accounts – The Buddha Dhamma Fellowship – Registered Charity No. 289913
Balance Sheet
| 31/03/2025 | 31/03/2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Fixed Assets | ||
| Tangible Assets | - | - |
| Current Assets | ||
| Debtors | - | - |
| Cash at Bank | 2,521 | 411 |
| Creditors – amounts falling due within 1 year | 2,521 | 411 |
| (Note 8) | ||
| Net Current Assets | - | - |
| Total Assets less Current Liabilities | - | - |
| Representing Funds (Note 9) | ||
| Unrestricted Funds | - | - |
| General and Contingency Funds | - | - |
| Restricted Funds | - | - |
| Building Fund | - | - |
| Total Funds | - | - |
Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by Antony Harfield, Trustee
SIGN ___, dated 9 November 2025
The notes on pages 9-11 form an integral part of these accounts.
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Unaudited Accounts – The Buddha Dhamma Fellowship – Registered Charity No. 289913
Notes to the accounts
1. Statutory Information
The Buddha Dhamma Fellowship is a charitable unincorporated association registered with the Charity Commission on 30th July 1994 under a standard registration - number 28991. The registered address is The Forest Hermitage, Fulbrook Lane, Lower Fulbrook, Warwickshire, CV35 8AS, England.
2. Compliance with accounting standards
The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS102) and the Charities Act 2011 except that, to give a true and fair view, the transfer from the Buddha Dhamma Fellowship to the Forest Hermitage Trust has been treated as a merger not a gift in that company's accounts. This reflects the continuity of operations at transfer.
3. Public Benefit Entity
The Buddha Dhamma Fellowship is a public benefit entity.
4. Accounting policies
The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the financial statements are set out below and have remained unchanged from the previous period, and also have been consistently applied within the same accounts.
Basis of accounting - the accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention Presentation currency - the accounts are presented in £ sterling, rounded to the nearest £.
Going Concern - at the time of approving the financial statements, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Trust has adequate resources to continue in operation for the foreseeable future. Thus the Trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements. There are no material uncertainties about the Charity's ability to continue.
Tangible Fixed Assets and Depreciation - no tangible fixed assets are held by the Buddha Dhamma Fellowship.
Other contents of the Forest Hermitage and grounds - No financial value is put on items provided as gifts.
Income recognition - income consists mainly of donations and is recognised as it is received.
Creditors - creditors are recognised where the Charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.
Gifts in kind - the Charity receives the benefit of work done by volunteers and receives gifts of food and other items. No financial value is put on these items.
Taxation - as a registered Charity, the trust is generally exempt from income tax, corporation tax and capital gains tax but not from VAT. Irrecoverable VAT is included in the cost of those items to which it relates.
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Unaudited Accounts – The Buddha Dhamma Fellowship – Registered Charity No. 289913
5. Average number of employees
During the year the average number of employees was 0 (2024: 0).
Trustees do not receive any remuneration or other financial benefit from the Charity.
6. Volunteers
Volunteers assist in many of the monasteries activities, including: routine garden maintenance, setting up marquees and preparing offerings at festival days; acting as drivers for the monks; acting as ushers and stewards at the monastery; preparing food for the monks.
7. Independent Examiner
No fees were paid to the Independent Examiner (2024: £nil) by the Charity.
8. Creditors
| 8. Creditors | ||
|---|---|---|
| Amounts falling due within 1 year | ||
| 31/03/2025 | 31/03/2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Amount due to the Forest Hermitage Trust | 2,521 | 411 |
| 2,521 | 411 |
9. Funds
General - accumulated surplus of unrestricted donations over general expenditure. Contingency - an unrestricted fund to be used for unusual or emergency expenditure. Amounts falling due within 1 year
| Unrestricted | Total | |
|---|---|---|
| General & Contingency Funds | ||
| £ | £ | |
| At 1 April 2024 | 0 | 0 |
| Incoming resources for the year | 25,920 |
16,777 |
| Outgoing resources for the year | 25,920 |
16,777 |
| At 31 March 2025 | 0 | 0 |
10. Capital commitments
As at 31 March 2025 the Buddha Dhamma Fellowship had no capital commitments (2024: £nil).
11. Related Parties
On 10th April 2019 the Trustees of the Buddha Dhamma Fellowship agreed to transfer ongoing responsibility and ownership of the assets and liabilities held by the Buddha Dhamma Fellowship to
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Unaudited Accounts – The Buddha Dhamma Fellowship – Registered Charity No. 289913
the Forest Hermitage Trust for £zero financial consideration. The Forest Hermitage Trust and the Buddha Dhamma Fellowship have a number of Trustees in common and are hence related parties.
The Buddha Dhamma Fellowship has a contractual obligation to transfer any monies received by them in respect of charitable activities as and when it is received. Therefore, in the year The Buddha Dhamma Fellowship donated £25,530to the Forest Hermitage Trust (2024: £16,405)
Surplus monies held by the Buddha Dhamma Fellowship in respect of its charitable activities since the transfer are held in trust on behalf of the Forest Hermitage Trust and will be donated to the Forest Hermitage Trust. 2025: £2,521(2024: £411)
The cost value of assets transferred to the Forest Hermitage Trust on 10th April 2019, for £zero financial consideration, were as follows:
| financial consideration, were as follows: | |
|---|---|
| £ | |
| Freehold properties | 570,925 |
| Outbuildings | 3,571 |
| Motor vehicles | 11,671 |
| Computers & office | 0 |
| Goodwill | 0 |
| Chattels | 0 |
| The cash sum (bank balances) | 105,485 |
| Private loans from supporters of the Monastery | -10,000 |
| 681,652 |
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