☸ Birmingham Buddhist Vihara Trust ☸
29/31 Osler Street, Ladywood, Birmingham. B16 9EU
Birmingham Buddhist Vihara Trust
Trustees’ Annual Report
1st April 2021 to 31st March 2022
The Trustees present their report and independently examined financial statements for the year ended 31st March 2022. They have been prepared in
Registered Charity No. 513368
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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 Reg No: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 Theingi 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 | |
| 2 Hagley Road | |
| Birmingham | |
| B63 4RQ |
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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 maximum 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 Buddhists.
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
Even with some easing of the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic some of the regular activities and ceremonies could not take place at the Vihara, as there was still concern about big gatherings.
●Meditation Classes
Meditation sessions on Mondays and Thursday evenings have not taken place yet. Birmingham Zen group also decided not to hold their bimonthly meditation sessions. Using Zoom video-conferencing platform Ven. Dr. Nagasena Bhikkhu continued with his meditation class on Monday evenings.
●Retreats
Easter retreat and 10 Days Vipassana retreats did not take place at the Vihara.
Metta Retreat - Ven.Dr. Ottara Nyana held an online event for
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Dhammaramsi Centre in Belgium (28[th] July to 6[th] August 2021). Vipassana Retreat – Ven.Dr. Ottara Nyana held another online retreat for Dhammaramsi Centre in Belgium (4[th] to 13[th] November 2021).
●Publication
Lotus -The journal of the Birmingham Buddhist Vihara 54 -Winter Issue Only one issue of newsletter and review was published. We are grateful to our trustee, Theingi Thant, for her contribution in producing these issues on a regular basis.
●Ceremonies
The Buddha Day {Vesak}
The ceremony usually held in the early part of May in the Pagoda Hall was cancelled. As was the Vesak Day celebration usually held by Birmingham City Council in Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery in the Faith Gallery.
Dhamma Talaka Peace Pagoda Anniversary & Offering of Vassa {Waso} Robes
Dhamma Talaka Peace Pagoda’s 23[rd] Anniversary, Vassa Ceremony and Birmingham Buddhist Academy’s Congregation was held on 25[th] July 2021.It was attended by the candidates and some devotees and was broadcast live via Zoom video-conferencing platform and FaceBook Live. 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 20th October 2021. This was followed by Patthana chanting for World Peace, Metta, loving kindness to all beings.
Kathina Robe Offering Ceremony
Kathina ceremony was held on 24[th ] October 2021 via Zoom videoconferencing platform and several devotees joined the virtual ceremony.
Patthana-Abhidhamma Chanting
The bhikkhus observed an auspicious recitation to welcome the New Year 2022, on New Year’s Day. There was an offering of light and Patthana -Abhidhamma chanting and was broadcast on Zoom platform.
Birmingham Heritage Week
Sponsored by Birmingham City Council, Birmingham Museums Trust organised
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the Birmingham Heritage Week 2020 from 9th -19th September 2021. The week consisted of varied events, exhibitions and displays, walks, talks and open day visits to heritage sites around Birmingham City.
Birmingham Buddhist Vihara took part in the event. Over 150 guests visited the Vihara during the Heritage Week and 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. Our plan to have a virtual event has not happened yet.
Other Religious/Non-Religious Activities
Footsteps Interfaith Spring Walk
On 23[rd] May 2021 Birmingham Buddhist Vihara hosted a Footsteps Interfaith Spring Walk event arranged by Ruth Tetlow of Footsteps. Footsteps is a project of Birmingham Council of Faiths (A Charity Reg: 1015006) on Faiths for a Low Carbon Future. Tahir Pavaz of Active Wellbeing Society led the walk around Edgbaston Reservoir for about 30 participants representing various faiths and societies.
Birmingham Buddhist Academy
The academy was able to continue with the Abhidhamma Course as it was run on-line. The new semester started on 1st September 2021.
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 well attended.
Wedding Ceremony
A wedding ceremony was held on 23[rd] October 2021 by Ko The Hun Myo Win and Ma Su Lei Lei Thi in Dhamma Talaka Peace Pagoda where Ashin Rahtapala blessed the wedding couple. They then offered lunch dana, robes and Navakamma to Ashin Rahtapala. The wedding guests were treated to a sumptuous lunch.
Outreach
The Pagoda has hosted groups from many schools, colleges, and multi-faith 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. But due to the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions only 15 schools were able to make the Religious Education School Visits in the school term.
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The Pagoda is open during the day for visitors. During school visits it is closed to the public. We are aware of our public benefit responsibility and make sure we welcome all visitors of any faith or none.
Ven.Dr. Ottara Nyana 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 Children’s Education Trust Charity that he chairs. With the easing of travel restrictions, he was able to travel back to the UK in September 2021 after undergoing 10 days quarantine on arrival.
Renovation and maintenance work
As the builder was taken ill, renovation and rebuilding of only one of three entrances to the Dhamma Talaka Peace Pagoda could be completed.
Emergency roof repair was needed on the roof of the Sangharama Vihara building in October 2021.
More sensor lights were installed on the Sangharama Vihara building. New aisle lights were installed at the entrances to the Dhamma Talaka Peace Pagoda.
All fire-extinguishers were upgraded in all three buildings, i.e., Dhamma Talaka Peace Pagoda, Sangharama Vihara and the Rewata Dhamma Hall. Fire safety certificate issued by Firecheck (UK) Ltd.
HMO Gas safety certificate issued by British Gas Services Ltd.
Service contracts were entered into for window cleaning services and gutter cleaning services.
Buddhist Community
We are grateful to our many supporters and volunteers, in particular:
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●The sponsors for our ceremonies.
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●Dr.& Mrs. Kyaw Myint Oo, patron of BBVT, major donors towards the renovation work of the Dhamma Talaka Peace Pagoda.
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Dr.Mar Mar Lwin for her day-to-day support and precise bookkeeping.
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●Ashin Rahtapala for organising and coordinating the dana ceremonies for
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the devotees. Ashin Rahtapala acknowledged all dana towards the Birmingham Buddhist Vihara via social media platform with photos of events & blessings
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●Ashin Rahtapala also looks after the grounds and the security of the Vihara.
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●Keith Jones, a trustee, tended the Vihara’s gardens with the Zen group on the last Sunday of every month.
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●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.
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●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.
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●Wunna Shtika for updating and maintaining the Birmingham Buddhist Vihara website.
Financial Report
The financial assets of the Trust are in a reasonable position.
The cash funds bank balance stands at £683,436.00 (£609,010.00 - 2021) for general expenses. There is £16,895.63 in a deposit account {NatWest} which is our contingency fund.
The Birmingham Buddhist Academy functions as an independent organisation and has a balance of £ 2,6547.00 as restricted funds.
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 impact, an estimation of the likelihood of each risk, measures that must be taken to avoid exposure to the risk. These risks are reviewed on a regular basis. Our greatest
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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: Dr. Maung Maung Kyi
Trustee.
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