## **Birmingham Buddhist Vihara Trust** # **Trustees’ Annual Report 1st April 2020 to 31st March 2021** The Trustees present their report and independently examined financial statements for the year ended 31st March 2021. They have been prepared in the light of the Statement of Recommended Practice - Accounting and Reporting by Charities and the Charities’ Act. ## Administrative Information: Charity Name: Birmingham Buddhist Vihara Trust Charity Commission Registration Number:513368 Address: Birmingham Buddhist Vihara Dhamma Talaka Peace Pagoda 29/31 Osler Street, Ladywood Birmingham B16 9EU Trustees for the period: Chair: John Beard Secretary: Suraj Prakash Lal Treasurer: Ann Lovelock Trustees: Keith Vincent Jones Chit Ko Ko Maung Maung Kyi Mar Mar Lwin Andrew William Nicholls Su Theigi Thant Spiritual Leader: Venerable Dr.Ottara Nyana Independent Examiner: Mr. A. Dervish 496-498 Bearwood Road, Bearwood Birmingham, B66 4BH Solicitors: H.F. Cotton 1102 Stratford Road, Hall Green Birmingham, B28 8AD Bank Details: Barclays Bank Plc Leicester LE87 2BB NatWest Bank Plc 1 ## 2 Hagley Road Birmingham B63 4RQ ## **Structure, Governance and Management** The trust is governed by a trust deed dated November 1982 with an addendum dated May 2003. There is a provision for a rnaximurn of nine trustees with a minimum of five. When there is a vacancy the spiritual director puts forward names that the remaining trustees then consider, trying to ensure there is an even representation of gender, ethnicity and interests. All trustees must be practising Buddhlsts. ## **Objectives** The objectives of the charity are to promote the study and practice of Buddhism according to the traditions of all schools of Buddhism, but particularly the Theravada School. To this end the trust presently supports a Spiritual Director and two other Myanmar Buddhist monks who reside at the monastery (Vihara) in Osler Street. They teach basic Buddhism as well as run higher Buddhist theological classes, perform religious rites as required, look after the religious and spiritual needs of the laity. Buddhist monks are traditionally totally reliant on the monastery and donations from their devotees for their basic needs. ## **Management** There are no paid workers and the trust relies totally on volunteers. The trustees meet regularly to plan events and to oversee the running of the Birmingham Buddhist Vihara and Dhamma Talaka Peace Pagoda. ## **Activities at the Vihara** Most of the entire year being affected by restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic most of the regular activities and ceremonies could not take place or had to be curtailed. ## **●Meditation Classes** Meditation sessions that were held twice a week had to be cancelled. The Birmingham Zen group were also unable to hold their bimonthly meditation sessions. Using Zoom video-conferencing platform Ven. Dr.Nagasena Bhikkhu started running a meditation class on Monday evenings. ## **●Retreats** Easter retreat and 10 Days Vipassana retreats were also cancelled because of the restrictions imposed. Ven.Dr. Ottara Nyana, the abbot, would usually travel to Belgium for Metta retreat. As the travel ban was being imposed the retreat was held via SKYPE video link platform in August 2020. ## **●Publication** **Lotus** -the journal of the Birmingham Buddhist Vihara 53 -Winter Issue 2 Only one issue of newsletter and review was published. We are grateful to Theingi Thant for her contribution in producing these issues on a regular basis. ## **●Ceremonies** **The Buddha Day {Vesak}** ceremony usually held in the early part of May in the Pagoda hall was cancelled. As was the Vesak Day celebration held by Birmingham City Council in Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery in the Faith Gallery. ## **DhammaTalaka Peace Pagoda Anniversary & Offering of Vassa {Waso} Robes** Even though the event to be held in July 2020 had to be cancelled the devotees offered robes to the monks and made donations online. ## **Abhidhamma & Pavarana Day** Our celebration on Pavarana Day with offering of light inside and outside the Dhamma Talaka Peace pagoda was broadcast live via Zoom video-conferencing platform and FaceBook Live on 31st October 2020. This was followed by Patthana chanting for World Peace, metta, loving kindness to all beings especially those affected by the pandemic. ## **Kathina Robe Offering Ceremony** Kathina ceremony was held on 1st November via Zoom videoconferencing platform and a number of devotees joined the virtual ceremony. ## **Patthana-Abhidhamma Chanting** The bhikkhus observed an auspicious recitation to welcome the New Year 2021, on New Year’s Day. There was an offering of light and Patthana -Abhidhamma chanting and was broadcast on Zoom platform. ## **Memorial Service** Sadly a number of memorial services were held for devotees who succumbed to COVID19 disease during the year mostly through Zoom video-conferencing platform. When the restrictions were eased devotees started visiting the Vihara in small groups to offer Dana and perform water-libation ceremonies and sharing of merit. ## **Birmingham Heritage Week** Birmingham City Council sponsored and Birmingham Museums Trust organised a Birmingham Heritage Week 2020 from 10th -20th September 2020. The week consisted of varied events, exhibitions and displays, walks, talks and open day visits to heritage sites around Birmingham City. 3 Birmingham Buddhist Vihara took part in the event. We had a fairly good number of in-person visits despite the ongoing pandemic. We adhered to COVID-19 safety regulations and Ven.Nagasena looked after all the telephone bookings and the visits. Small groups of 5-6 or family groups were shown around the pagoda and a brief talk on the pagoda and Buddhism was given. It was well received and complimentary comments were recorded in the visitors’ book. Birmingham Buddhist Vihara will take part in next year’s Birmingham Heritage Week again. We plan to have a virtual event in place by then as well. (NB. Birmingham Buddhist Vihara is listed in the survey of Buddhist Buildings in England. It was prepared for Historic England by Professor Emma Tomalin and Dr Caroline Starkey (Associate Professor now), The Centre for Religion and Public Life, University of Leeds June 2016) ## **Other Religious/Non Religious Activities Visit to Buddhism Exhibition** On 18th Feb 2020 Ven.Ottara Nyana visited the Buddhism Exhibition held in the British Library (25th October 2019 - 23rd February 2020). It was a well attended exhibition that explored the roots, philosophy and contemporary relevance of one of the world’s major religions, from its beginning in north India in the 6th century BCE to having over 500 million followers across the world today. ## **Birmingham Buddhist Academy** The academy was able to continue with the Abhidhamma Diploma Course as it was run on-line. The new semester started on 1st September 2020. Ven.Dr.Ottara Nyana and Ven.Dr.Nagasena continue to teach on the course. There is an on-line course on Pali which is also weil attended. ## **Outreach** The Pagoda has hosted groups from many schools, colleges and multifaith groups. The Vihara is also part of the Ladywood interfaith Education Project (LIEP), which was initiated by St.John & St.Peter's parish Church, in 1999. lt is a partnership between four local places of faith including Birmingham Progressive Synagogue and Masjid-e-Usman Mosque. The aim of the project was to enhance religious education of the schools involved. The number of schools visiting and the number of students per visit were continuing to rise each year. We had about 25 school visits by the time the pandemic lock down took place. We hope that the school visits will return to normal when the pandemic is over. The Pagoda is open during the day for visitors. During school visits it is closed to the public. 4 We are aware of our public benefit responsibility and make sure we welcome all visitors of any fatih or none. Ven,Ottaranyana and our present chair are also members of the Birmingham Faith Leaders' Group. The monks have open links with other Buddhist Viharas (Myanmar, Thais, Sri Lankan, Tibetan, Vietnamese) in London, Birmingham, Rugeley, Oxford, Sheffield, Manchester and Sunderland. ## **Visits Overseas** Due to travel restrictions Ven.Ottara Nyana could not make any of the regular trips to Myanmar, Brazil, Belgium or Czech Republic. Ven.Nagasena was already in Bangladesh before the initial lock down in March 2020. He was able to oversee the building work for the school there for the Lotus Childrens’ Education Trust Charity that he chairs. ## **Transportation** Birmingham Buddhist Vihara Trust came to a decision that transport would be provided for the bhikkhus. While in the process of acquiring a car, very generous donors Dr Moe Thant, Theingi Thant and son, Chris, donated a hybrid Toyota Yaris to the Birmingham Buddhist Vihara. A real bonus as the bhikkhus can commute in comfort and safety especially during the COVID-19 pandemic period and make home visits to the devotees. Birmingham Vihara Trust would also like to thank Ellen Parker for her contribution towards transport. The previous car, donated by Ellen, provided a good almost 20 years service! ## **Light Installation** Due to a generous donation by Dr. Win Myint Aung and Dr.Khine Thin Han, Birmingham Buddhist Vihara Trust were able to install five bollard lights for the footpath between the Dhamma Talaka Pagoda and the Sangharama Vihara. Additionally two uplights for the two lions (chinthes), all timed to switch on at the same time as the spotlights for the pagoda, were also installed. ## **Renovation and Rebuilding of the three entrances to the Dhamma Talaka Peace Pagoda** Early November 2020, the Trust was able to commission the repair and renovation work to all three entrances with particular focus on the ornate teak woodwork over the entrances. Due to inclement weather together with COVID-19 restrictions and the intricate work required in cleaning and oiling the wood carvings the renovation work took 5 well into Spring time 2021. A new gutter system was formed making it wider and easier to clean rather than using off the shelf gutters.. This gutter system was covered with fibre-glass that became part of the roof complex. The heavy teak carvings were then screwed onto metal brackets that were in turn supported by treated upright fascias. In addition to this there was additional maintenance.repair work that had to be done in one of the visitors’ en-suites. ## **Buddhist Community** We are grateful to our many supporters, in particular: - ●The sponsors for our ceremonies. - ●Dr.& Mrs. Kyaw Myint Oo, patron of BBVT, major donors towards the renovation work of the Dhamma Talaka Peace Pagoda. - ●Dr.Mar Mar Lwin for her day to day support and precise bookkeeping. - ●Ashin Rahtapala for organising and coordinating the dana ceremonies for the devotees. Ashin Rahtapala acknowledged all dana towards the Birmingham Buddhist Vihara via social media platform with photos of events & blessings - ●Ashin Rahtapala still looks after the grounds and the security of the Vihara. - ●Keith Jones, a trustee, tended the Vihara’s gardens with the Zen group on the last Sunday of every month. - ●Ko Htet Hla and a group of his friends from London volunteered to trim the fence surrounding the Vihara every year. Birmingham Buddhist Vihara Trust would like to thank them all for their commitment and contribution. - ●Su Theingi Thant for editing and helping print Lotus Journal. She also prepares invitations for ceremonies and events at the Vihara. Theingi also looks after the paperwork for the Birmingham Buddhist Academy. - ●Wunna Shtika for updating and maintaining the Birmingham Buddhist Vihara website. ## **Financial Report** The financial assets of the Trust are in good position. We were bequeathed a legacy of a sizeable sum. The general fund bank balance stands at £1,460,117.00 (£98,5720.00 - 2020) for general expenses. There is £16,896.00 in a deposit account {NatWest} which is our contingency fund. The Birmingham Buddhist Academy functions as an independent organisation and has a balance of £ 2,6740.00. 6 ## **Major expenses during the year** Renovation and Rebuilding of the three entrances to the Dhamma Talaka Peace Pagoda. (Approx: £16,234.00) No expenses or remunerations were made to any trustee or volunteer who all gave their time freely. No contracts were given to any company associated with any trustee. ## **Risk Assessment** The Trustees are aware of the need to consider the major risks to which the Charity is exposed. The Trustees continue to consider risks, their likely impact, an estimation of the likelihood of each risk, measures that have been taken to avoid exposure to the risk, and those responsible for doing this. These risks are reviewed on a regular basis. Our greatest risk is that we rely entirely on donations from devotees for our charitable work . We are working to ensure that The Birmingham Buddhist Academy succeeds so that we can develop this in due course to be also a source of funding. Signed: Maung Maung Kyi Trustee. 7 BIRMINGHAM BUDDHIST VIHARA TRUST ANNUAL ACCOUN73 FOR THE PEIUOD Iql APRIL 2020 to I1￿ MARCH 2021 Proprietor. Birningham B￿ldhIst Vihara Trust Charlty Number.. 513368 Address.. Ladwod Bimiingham 816 9EU Accountants: A. Dervish and Co. Lfrl. ACc￿nIants, 496498 8earwood Road. Blm)Ingham, 866 4HB. Section A Statement of financial activities R•eomm•*d ¢•i•yrf•iby •a¥lty Pbl•r y•*T fvnd• T•i•l fvnd• Incondng r¢•our¢•• (Noi• • F01 Ftr2 F04 67.524 219 219 Tot•1 R•lour￿l •xp•nded114rt• 11 •)? r*RryfL* sio 33.687 71 N•t InComJll•xp•nd￿) b•forn hw••ln*rtl 474,397 474. 3,891 N•1 In¢0n*ll•xp•t￿M￿•l Exlr40rdlnarylt• Tr•n$l•r• b•t*i•n fvfid• Nel mov•m•nt fim 474.397 474,￿7 3,891 474 ReMnclll•Von oFfund&' 26.740 1016151 am Buddhlsl Vihara T Annual Accounts For the 0.. 513368 eriod ID 31x1 March 2021 Section B Balance sheet R•kncted Unre*rfcled ￿n￿m* funds funds EndowrnvTrt Totsl th18 lund$ •r Total la year Fixed assets Tan ible a55ets FOI 878,537 878,537 F02 F03 F04 F05 870,237 870,237 Not8 14 Total fix8d ass•ls Current assets Cash at bank and In han(1 (Note 241 Total currenl a$$el¥ BID 878,537 878.537 26,650 26,650 609,010 609.010 143,(X)4 143,(X)4 582.360 Credllor¥: amunts falllng du8 v•ithin on• ￿ar INote 201 Net current ass•tg(Ilabllltl•s) B12 581,580 26,650 608.230 142.224 rotal •ssèts Itss current Ilabllllles B13 1.460,117 26,650 1,486,767 1,012,461 Tolal ngt aSS9ts or114blliti•s Funds of the Charity Restricted incomB funds (Now 271 Unrestricted funds B16 1.460.117 26.650 1.486,767 1,012.461 Bl8 26.650 26.650 1.460.117 1,486.767 26.740 985.721 1.012.461 619 1 460.117 1,460117 Tolal lunds &1 26.650 Signed ty one lfttsltts ￿ ￿Kh￿[cl I Ihe Irwte¢s Dale ol approiol ddlnirnivyyy SiyY•wr• Print Name For Section C Noles to tlie accounts Nole 1 Bash of prnparntlon 1.18a¥h of accountlng Irar￿1￿)n v￿u0 urtlèss rAh8rwtse 8latwJ relevant rtho(sl lo Ih88• acccAwts. Th& acc(¥Jnls htrè boon the Sl8lwnwt of R￿(¥￿meTh￿l Prnckg." kcujntru ReF¢xIKy by Charities apKknbl• ts) i￿{ •xl ol IFRS 102}1ssu•J w 16 July2014 trel*S {FRS 1021 . *bJ wlth ChwlY•o kt 2011. 12 Golno e•n¢•m ) exthlth 89 to thc¢o Ixt(Y8 Ihfjt 8UPFQrt the condwlon Ilwl Ihe Gharty 1$ )Ing c￿￿•m,. Ol¥clr4urg of 8ry tlwt mak the goiro cortwn ¥ssumptKJn d￿Jb￿A.. Where acC￿￿nts ar• ￿ wy•d ￿ • gong concem ba6i8, FI￿Se ttscl)se Ih facl tcgdherwbth th• b85* ￿ whth Ihe In￿le8$ wepw&J the oThJ th¥ reason why Ihe cha￿lS r￿l re￿ as a Nots? 2.2 INCOM Yw t414 Nl• Yw Ytt Ye5 Y•$ Y•A W4 2.3 EXPENDITURE AND LIABiufiES pwtco O•hTh•d Irrtrm• Y•5 ¢t•dl•M4 11.17 W 11.1* FBSIOISW. 2.4 A88eT8 Nl• r<4• &5 W4 Y•# Im*n• Not• 3 Analyskn ofkneom• Donallons and le9￿$. 57.356 LwE5 J7. 507.8 67.524 Other tradlwj actfvlUe& from Investh*nts: 32 Other. 219 219 219 219 TOT*L INCOME Nots6 Thbj l)nts 8nOthiesitt expwses 116 5T1 571 31187 936 912 912 Tolal other •xp•nthty• TOT￿ EXPENDITIIRE >J,$61 71.847 Thb Orn ryol r*xai L• oir*i Not• 14 141 Costor valuallon Tan9lJl8 fix•d ass•ts FrnolK4dland4 Iwodlrys filllnB and 0￿p￿*￿t Vehbdes 1th8 beg￿ty Di$pc6ds Transfws ' A end offt￿ year &s)) 878,537 142 D•prncS&llon a￿1 Abegrydtsy Oewe¢•t &mp•rmen¢ Trtr&f8rs" erxl oltho y*ar 14J Net book ¥alu• Net 9332 870.237 a3 878.537 Nots 20 Credknrs and accruals 20.1 olcredltor• knwnlslallfjn9 due unls faHlng due aft•r ar TI4B ￿¥r cru¥l8 for gr•nts paJ0bl• Bank loans and ov•rdrafts rrade creditors Pa￿￿nts r•¢•lv•d on accoun¢for wrtrxts or perfornyncwelated grants kcruo1$ •TKI dgf•rr•d Taxatlon and sodal Oth•r ¢r•dhor• Not• 24 Cash at bank and In hand Thls ￿¥r Last s•ar SI￿)rt term Invesln*nts O•ss than 3 nM)ntt* n*Yltydatsl Short terni deposlts Cash at bank and on hand Other Tgtal 609.010 143,C04 609,010 143.C(14 rund4 Tq J4 IAYGY BIRMI BUDDHI T VIHARA TRU ltydcpcndellt ExAmlner's Report to the Tru5tee5 of ihe Blmlngh$m Buddhlst Vlh8ra Trust Year ended 31. I Arth 2021 l i'eport on the unaudited accounts olthe charÉty for the year end¢d 31" Mar¢h ?O?I sei oul on the following pages. RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OFTHE TRUSTEES AND THE INDEPENDENT EXAMINER. Ath the Chari￿. s Trusiees yoy ar¢ responsible lor the preparsiion ofthe accounts: you consider thai the audii requirement of S¢¢Èion 4.1{ry) of ibe Ch8riti¢$ Acl 1993 does not apply and Ihat an iDdependeni examinaiion is Illided. li is my responsibility LO.. xamine the ￿coU￿$ (under section 41(3)1a) of th¢ Chariii&s Act 1993); follom. Ihe procedures laid in the General Directions given by Ehc Chariry Commis&iontr% {under seciioD 43171 Ibl of the Charities Aei 1993),. and SlaÈe wheth¢r particular maltcrb have come ro my attention. BASIS OF INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S ￿PoRT My examination N'as carried in accordaHc¢ wilh lh¢ gaierdl directioiis given by the Chariiies cummi5510￿erS. An independ¢n¢ examination includ¢$ a review of Ihc a¢countÉn¥ records k¢pi by tlie ¢harily anLI a Lomparison of the accounts presented with those reL'ords. It also include5 ¢on5id¢raiion of any unusual ii¢ms or di￿10$ureS in Il* accounts. and Seeking explanations from you as Tn￿ltts concerning any su¢h m¢lll¥rs. The proLcduTes undertaken do not provide all Ihe evidence thai would ￿ required in an audiL tvnsequentl). I do noi express an audii opinion on th¢ vi¢w given by thc thccounls. so ninthe INDEPENDF.P4T F.XAMIN'ER'S STATEMKNT In ¢onThe¢tiort with my ex8minaiion, no marter ha$ come to my attention.. 11 which givcs me reasoTwblc La￿*C to believc thai in any mat4rial rcspcet ihc reqUirL￿nL￿l￿. a) 10 keep ac¢ounting records in accordance with bection 41 ofthe A¢1: and bl lo prepare accounts which accord wilh ih¢ y¢¢ounling T¢¢ord$ Und lo comply M-i¢li Ihe occtsunling requiremeiits of fhe ALI h&v¢ nvl b￿ll mel: or 21 ro ivhicl). in my opinion, ntt¢nlion Should be dr&wn in order to enable a proper undLrsiaiidin¥ of the accounls 10 bc T¢uchcd. A. Dcrvish & Co. Lid AILoLiniani% 49fv4911 B¢arwi)od Road Bcarwond Jlirniin¥li?I 1160 4P1