May 2025 News
Work for the Abhayaratna Trust
AN Opportunity for an Order member to join the Team as Order Care Co-ordinator
The Abhayaratna Trust works to relieve financial hardship among Order members, particularly in the face of illness, ageing and disability. We also take a strategic view, helping to respond to crises such as the Covid pandemic, and the implications of the Order’s ageing demographic.
We are looking for an Order member who is an effective and sensitive communicator, with good organisational skills and a commitment to the aims of the Trust, to be our new Order Care Co-ordinator. The successful applicant will play a key role in the Abhayaratna Trust not only in managing grants and appeals, but also in other areas of work, such as the publication of the Trust’s Annual Review and these monthly Newsletters.
This is a part-time role (nominally 17.5 hours/ 2.5 days - a week), including attendance at weekly Team online meetings, and attendance at part of each [normally quarterly] Trust meeting [usually by Zoom, but once a year in-person at the Birmingham Buddhist Centre, UK]).
If you want to find out more about this job, you can apply or read the full details here.
Bhante’s journey through ageing
The retreat for Order membes aged 65+, 12th - 17th October, organised by the Abhayaratna Trust in collaboration with Adhisthana, is an opportunity for Order members to explore the profound questions surrounding spiritual vitality and practice in the later stages of life. The retreat will include Paramartha sharing something of Bhante's journey through this - how he held on to his vision and practice even as ageing and the inevitability of death unfolded in his life. We will explore the resilience of his spiritual commitment and how those lessons can serve us as an example in navigating our own paths.
This retreat is designed to foster a supportive and encouraging environment where participants can openly discuss the realities of ageing and share strategies for maintaining spiritual vitality, and to rejoice in the enduring capacity for inspiration amidst physical and cognitive changes. It will be a space to reflect and draw inspiration from our shared experiences and understandings.
Whether you attend in person or join us online via Zoom, your presence will contribute to a meaningful exploration of what it means to age with mindfulness, grace and a continuing connection to our practice.
Book here via the Adhisthana website.
Thank you for getting Guhyavajra moving
Our recent appeal raised the £2,800 needed for Guhyavajra to be able buy an ebike. This is now helping him get around Sudarshanaloka Retreat Centre in New Zealand, where he is a caretaker. He wrote this letter of thanks:
‘A big thank you for donating to the Abhayaratna appeal to raise the money for an ebike so that I can better get around these hills at Sudarshanaloka and exercise on the job. While I don't think I'll be posting pictures of a newly developed 'six pack' in Shabda anytime soon, cycling is nonetheless excellent for creaky knees and aerobic exercise, as well as getting about the place quietly. This will contribute to my overall levels of fitness and ability to help sustain the retreat centre, which is progressing well.
‘Ebikes are expensive items [in New Zealand], more than a car, so your generosity is greatly appreciated and valued. Also thanks to the team of magicians at Abayaratna trust who can make things happen and positively affect Order Members’ lives. What an Order we have - quite remarkable.’
Warm regards, Guhyavajra
A really good outcome
The team here at Abhayarathna Trust received this letter recently from someone we ran an appeal for in the past, shared here with their permission:
‘I want to share with you a really good outcome from receiving my appeal money. It has completely changed how I manage my money. Having a lump sum and using the majority of it to pay a big chunk of my monthly bills has meant that I have continued to do this. I feel so organised with my money these days, it's amazing. I can save a bit each month too.
‘I can't tell you what a relief it is to know what's coming out when. It really helps with my mental health too.
‘So thank you Abhayaratna Trust for completely changing the way I manage money for the better.’ Subhavandana
Contact Communications Support: jinavamsa@abhayaratnatrust.org with any questions or feedback.