Support > Offering Money

One of the most convenient ways to offer support is through financial donations. Support is always needed for paying bills for electricity, vehicle maintenance, building repairs etc…The Sangha itself requires relatively little - for example, we have a policy of not asking for food to be purchased, preferring to live on whatever food is offered in kind. 

For the sake of simplicity, there are two headings for donations: Current Project - at present, paying off the debt incurred through the purchase of Rocana Vihara for the nuns' community; Maintenance and General - for work on the buildings and the estate, Sangha welfare, electricity, water and telephone bills etc. etc.  (In the pop-up menu on the on-line  donations webpage, these are given as "Rocana Vihara Project" and "Chithurst  - General Maintenance," respectively.) If amounts received for the Current Project or into another designated fund exceed the related expenditure, any excess will be used for the general support of the Sangha.

Please note that the use of these donations is overseen by committees of laymen and women, in consultation with the group of senior monks and nuns.  The needs of the various buildings and members of the community are decided through due consultation and consensus.  Cittaviveka is administered as one unit and does not have separate accounts for monks or nuns.

In accordance with the original monastic code of the Buddha - the ‘Vinaya,’  our monks and nuns are prohibited from handling or holding personal rights over money. Consequently, the finances of the Monastery are ‘stewarded’ by a charitable body, The English Sangha Trust Ltd, and are administered by the charity’s Finance Sub Committee, which reports to the Board of Trustees. Trustees and Committee Members are friends and supporters of the Monastery, who serve in this capacity as an expression of their commitment to Dhamma. All of the funds are administered by the Trust and the Committee who manage the funds in accordance with the wishes of the donors.

The latest audited financial statements of The English Sangha Trust Ltd can be accessed on the UK Charity Commission website by using the following link:
Charity Commission

Forms of donation

Standing Orders It is very helpful to the monastery to know that there is some degree of regular financial support. Standing orders are one way of ensuring this. If you are in a position to make such an offering then you can do so by completing a standing instruction to your bank (monthly, quarterly or annually). In certain circumstances it is possible for the Trust to obtain tax relief on such donations. Please see below to access a copy of the standing order form.

Give as You Earn Some larger employers subscribe to this scheme that enables employees to instruct that a monthly deduction from their salary is paid to the charity of their choice. At present the charity receives tax relief on the donation.

One-Off Donations Such donations can be made in the form of cash or cheques made payable to The English Sangha Trust Ltd and placed in the donation envelopes provided at the monastery. Again, under certain circumstances, the monastery can claim tax relief.

On-line Donation using debit/credit card payable in UK Sterling, Euros, or US Dollar.  This method of donating is particularly convenient for overseas supporters. Please note that The English Sangha Trust will incur a transaction charge of 4% for online donations (on donations attracting Gift Aid) and 3% on all other donations, including those from overseas supporters. 

It is possible to make donations to general funds and also to specified projects. If you wish your donation to be used for a particular purpose you can also advise the Trust Secretary by sending an email to est@amaravati.org

Please note that if the amounts donated for a specified project are ultimately more than necessary, any excess will be used for the general support of the Sangha. 

Alternatively, donations can be made using the following link:

Give Now Website On-line donation using debit/credit card but payable in UK Sterling only.  The Give Now Website can also be used for making donations using a Charity Card Account. Please note that The English Sangha Trust will incur a transaction charge of 5% for online donations via this website.

 
Bank Account Details
The English Sangha Trust's account details for domestic and international transfers are as follows: 

Address: National Westminster Bank, PLC 9 Bank Court, Hemel Hempstead, Herts HP1 1FB UK 
Account name:  The English Sangha Trust Ltd
Account No: 71934553
Sort Code: 60-10-33
BIC, or Swift code:  NWBKGB2L
IBAN No: GB80 NWBK 6010 3371 9345 53 

The Trust recommends that you check with your bank what charges will be made for a funds transfer. Also, when transferring funds to the Trust's account, it is recommended that the Trust Secretary be advised by email to est@amaravati.org. This will help the Trust to check that the transfer has been received safely and will enable it to confirm receipt. If you wish your donation to be used for a particular purpose, please advise the Trust Secretary. Please note that if the amount is more than necessary for the particular purpose any excess will be used for the general support of the Sangha. 

 
Standing Order Forms
If you wish to make a donation to the monastery by a standing order with your bank, please click   here  for the standing order form and, after printing it out and filling it in, post it to:

The Lay Treasurer,
Chithurst Buddhist Monastery, Chithurst, Petersfield, HANTS GU31 5EU.
 

 
Donations By Post
If you live in the UK there is the option of posting a cheque. Cheques should be made  payable to :

The English Sangha Trust Ltd
and sent to:

Chithurst Buddhist Monastery, Chithurst, Petersfield, HANTS GU31 5EU.

If you wish your donation to be used for a particular purpose please inform of this  when sending the donation. Please note that if the amount is more than necessary for the particular purpose any excess will be used for the general support of the Sangha.
 

Support

By Offering Requisites
By Offering Service
Alms-Giving Ceremonies