2024-09-30-accounts

MARPA TRANSLATION SOCIETY

A Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) SCOTTISH CHARITY NO. SC052859

ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

MARPA TRANSLATION SOCIETY

CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

	Page
Trustees’ Annual Report	1
Independent examiner’s report on the accounts	5
Receipts and payments account	6
Statement of balances	7
Notes to the accounts	8

MARPA TRANSLATION SOCIETY

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

The Trustees of Marpa Translation Society are pleased to present their first report together with the financial statements of the charity for the period ended 30 September 2024. The legal and administrative information forms part of this report.

Reference & Administrative Information

Charity Name

Marpa Translation Society

Charity Number

SC052859

Principal office

Kagyu Samye Ling Tibetan Centre Eskdalemuir Langholm Dumfriesshire DG13 0QL

Trustees

The Trustees listed below served from incorporation on 27 September 2023 until the date of this report:

Independent Examiner

EA Independent Ltd 5 South Charlotte Street Edinburgh, EH2 4AN

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MARPA TRANSLATION SOCIETY

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

Structure Governance & Management

Legal status and founding document

Marpa Translation Society is a SCIO (Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation) regulated by OSCR and operating in accordance with the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005. Our governing document is a constitution adopted on 27 September 2023.

At all times, our trustees endeavour to work in accordance with the charity's stated purposes as outlined in our constitution. Copies of our constitution are available upon request.

Recruitment and appointment of Trustees

In accordance with the charity's constitution and the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Society ensures that a proportion of trustees retire at each AGM.

At our first AGM, two trustees (Jing Qian and Priscilla Jesulayomi Aroso) retired. Both were eligible for reappointment and were re-elected.

This process ensures appropriate governance and accountability within the SCIO.

No new trustees were appointed during this reporting period. Trustees (i.e., members of the management committee) are elected by members of the association, following the process outlined in our constitution. Only members are eligible for election to the management committee. Membership is open to anyone over the age of 16.

Objectives & Activities

Charitable purposes

Marpa Translation Society is a Scottish-registered charity dedicated to the translation, publication, and dissemination of Buddhist texts as free resources. Our purpose is to preserve and share Buddhist teachings by removing financial barriers to access. We also conduct translation workshops and offer free language education to support the next generation of translators and scholars.

Our objectives are achieved through:

1. Translation Projects

2. Publications

3. Workshop and Language Classes

4. Community Outreach

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MARPA TRANSLATION SOCIETY

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

Achievements and review of the year

We have been translating from Tibetan into English, Chinese, French, Norwegian, Swahili, Nepali, Spanish, and German. These translations include some of the most important texts of the Kagyu tradition, such as Gampopa's collected works, the detailed scholarly commentaries of the 8th Karmapa Mikyö Dorje, and a range of other essential commentaries, instruction manuals, and liturgies.

All of our translations are offered free of charge for the benefit of sentient beings and the preservation of the Buddhadharma.

Our members have been translating oral Dharma teachings from Tibetan into English, Chinese, French, Swahili, Nepali, and German, working with various masters in different parts of the world. The Society has translated a minimum of 2.5 hours of oral teachings per day, with senior members and trainees working on a rotation basis.

We invited experienced and renowned translators and professionals in the field to deliver presentations to the Society. We offered opportunities and guidance to new and aspiring translators to help them improve and refine their linguistic and translation skills.

Our English-speaking and Chinese-speaking members held separate bi-monthly meetings and discussions. Meetings were held more frequently when necessary.

We also held an annual, Society-wide general meeting, presided over by , whose vision inspired the formation of the Marpa Translation Society.Translation workshops were made available to non-members, providing an opportunity for anyone who wishes to deepen their understanding of translating Buddhist texts.

Financial review

Results for the year

The SCIO has received receipts of £21,792 and made payments of £21,102, resulting in a surplus of £690. The total funds of the SCIO as at 30 September 2024 are £690 which are restricted. During this reporting period, the SCIO was awaiting the opening of its charity bank account meaning funds were held securely within the bank account of the retreat centre where the majority of its works take place.

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MARPA TRANSLATION SOCIETY

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

The SCIO received a donation of £379 for the purchase of 100 ISBN numbers, which was used for this purpose.

£20,100 was donated to the Society, to cover the printing costs of the English translation of 'The Torch for the Definitive Meaning' (a key Buddhist foundational text). These funds were subsequently transferred to Gomer Printing Press, a UK-based publisher which produced 5,000 hard-back copies of the book.

The book was launched in May 2024 and distributed from who agreed to cover the postage costs and to receive and hold donations offered towards the distribution of this text, until such time as the Marpa Translation Society has its own bank account. During this accounting period £1,274 was received in donations by , of which £584 was spent on distributing the book, resulting in a surplus for Marpa Translation Society of £690.

Reserves policy

In light of the particular way in which the Marpa Translation Society operates, the trustees have agreed that there is currently no need for the charity to hold reserves. This will be reviewed annually.

Trustee remuneration and expenses

Trustees did not receive remuneration or expenses in connection with their role in the SCIO.

Plans for future periods

We intend to:

• Continue our written and oral translation work

• Introduce workshops on a more regular basis

• Refine and expand our peer review system

• Continue to invite experienced translators to share their knowledge and skills

• Engage an experienced editor of Buddhist translations

Approved by the Trustees on 3 June 2025 and signed on their behalf by:

Chair

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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF MARPA TRANSLATION SOCIETY

I report on the financial statements of the charity for the period ended 30 September 2024, which are set out on pages 6 and 7 and the related notes on pages 8 to 9.

Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner

The charity’s Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the terms of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 (“the 2005 Act”) and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) (“the 2006 Regulations”). The charity’s Trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1) (d) of the Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts as required under section (44)(1)(c) of the 2005 Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of Independent Examiner’s Statement

My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the 2006 Regulations. 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 seeks 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, I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.

Independent Examiner’s Statement

In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention other than those disclosed below:

1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements:

2. to keep accounting records in accordance with section 44(1)(a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Regulations

3. to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 9 of the 2006 Regulations have not been met, or

4. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Matter to report:

The Trustees have been unable to open a bank account in the name of the charity during the period of account. They have maintained complete records of the receipts to the charity and payments out which have been managed through the bank account of the head of the retreat centre where most of the members of the Marpa Translation Society are based and where the majority of their work takes place.

EA Independent Ltd

5 South Charlotte Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4AN 25 June 2025

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MARPA TRANSLATION SOCIETY

STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

		Unrestricted	Restricted	Total
		2024	2024	2024
	Notes	£	£	£
Receipts
Donations	2	-	21,792	21,792
		──-─────	──-─────	──-─────
		-	21,792	21,792
		──-─────	──-─────	──-─────
Payments
Charitable activities	3	-	21,102	21,102
		──-─────	──-─────	──-─────
Total payments		-	21,102	21,102
		──-─────	──-─────	──-─────
Net receipts before transfers		-	690	690
Transfers		-	-	-
		──-─────	──-─────	──-─────
Surplus for the period		-	690	690
		═════	═════	═════

The Notes on page 8 to 9 form part of these financial statements

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MARPA TRANSLATION SOCIETY

STATEMENT OF BALANCES AS AT 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

		Unrestricted	Restricted	Total
		2024	2024	2024
	Notes	£	£	£
Opening funds		-	-	-
Surplus for the year		-	690	690
		───────	───────	───────
Closing funds	4	-	690	690
		═════	═════	═════
Represented by:
Opening bank balances		-	-	-
Movement in the year		-	690	690
		───────	───────	───────
Closing bank balances		-	690	690
		═════	═════	═════
Other balances for information
				2024
				£
Amounts due to creditors
Independent examination fee				200
				───────

The accounts were approved by the Trustees on 3 June 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:

The Notes on page 8 to 9 form part of these financial statements

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MARPA TRANSLATION SOCIETY

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of accounting

The accounts are prepared on a Receipts and Payments basis in accordance with the Charities & Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). The Statement of Receipts and Payments is a summary of all money received and paid by the Charity during the financial year. No adjustments have been made for income due not yet received, or for expenditure incurred not paid by the end of the year.

VAT

The Charity is not registered for VAT and, accordingly, expenditure includes VAT where appropriate.

Resources expended

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries.

Governance costs include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and include the Independent Examiner’s fee.

Funds

The general funds of the Charity are unrestricted and administered on a discretionary basis under the direction of the Trustees, and in line with the objects of the charity. Any funding given to the charity for specific purposes, is held as a restricted fund.

2. DONATIONS

DONATIONS
	Unrestricted	Restricted	Total
	2024	2024	2024
	£	£	£
Donations from individuals	-	21,792	21,792
	═════	═════	═════

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MARPA TRANSLATION SOCIETY

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

3. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
	Unrestricted	Restricted	Total
	2024	2024	2024
	£	£	£
Book production	-	20,479	20,479
Postage	-	584	584
Paypal charges	-	39	39
	───────	───────	───────
	-	21,102	21,102
	═════	═════	═════

The independent examination fee for 2024 is £200 and is included in the statement of balances.

.

4. FUNDS

	Opening				Closing
	funds at				funds at
	27 Sep 23	Receipts	Payments	Transfers	30 Sep 24
		£	£	£
Unrestricted funds
General	-	-	-	-	-
	───────	───────	───────	───────	───────
Restricted funds
The Torch fund	-	21,792	(21,102)	-	690
	───────	───────	───────	───────	───────
Total funds	-	21,792	(21,102)	-	690
	═════	═════	═════	═════	═════

Nature and purpose of funds

Unrestricted funds: The General fund is administered on a discretionary basis under the direction of the Trustees, and in line with the objects of the charity – there were no general funds in the year.

Restricted funds: The Torch fund represents donations received to fund the production and distribution of the book.

Transfers between funds:

There were no transfers between the funds in the period to 30 September 2024.

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