July 2026 News
Could You Be an Abhayaratna Trust Representative?
Many of you will have seen our recent 2025 Annual Review, which highlights the Trust's work over the past year. We are very grateful for everything that has been made possible, and proud of the support we continue to offer Order members around the world. At the same time, we think there is more we could do. We would like to reach more Order members, encourage those in need to seek support, and strengthen the network of care that exists within the Order.
One of the simplest ways to help make that possible is by having Abhayaratna Trust Representatives in Centres, Chapters and local Sanghas around the world. The more people understand what the Trust does, the more likely it is that those who need support will find it, and that others will feel inspired to contribute.
As a representative, you would be a link between your local Sangha and the Trust. You might let people know about our work, share stories of the difference the Trust has made, or put someone in touch with us if they need support.
In practice this might include:
· sharing occasional news from the Trust at your Centre or Chapter;
· encouraging people to subscribe to our newsletter;
· helping promote appeals and fundraising projects;
· introducing people to regular giving or leaving a legacy; or
· answering questions about the Trust, or helping people get in touch with us.
The role is flexible, and you can give as much time and energy as you are able. We'll provide resources, ideas and support to help you in whatever way you choose to be involved.
The Trust enables the Order and Movement to express kindness, care and generosity in practical ways. It is metta in action.
One of our long-standing representatives, Satyadevi, describes the role like this:
"Along with Aryasuri, who joined me a couple of years back, I am the long-term representative for the Abhayaratna Trust in Aotearoa New Zealand. We both treasure this connection. Personally, I can only say I feel the Trust is the most brilliant jewel in the crown of the Order. It is a joy and a privilege to be able to help people in hardship by guiding them towards accessing funds that often make a massive difference to their Order lives."
Again and again, we see the generosity of our community. Whether helping an Order member through illness, enabling someone to attend a retreat they otherwise couldn't afford, supporting the development of local Sangha Support Networks, or helping Order members retrain in new skills, every act of generosity strengthens the flow of kindness and care within our Order and Movement.
By helping the Trust reach more Order members in need, you'll be helping ensure that kindness, care and metta reach those who need them most.
If this resonates with you, we'd love to hear from you. If you'd like to find out more, or simply have an informal conversation about becoming a representative, please get in touch with Ghosaka at ghosaka@abhayaratnatrust.org.
Sharing an urgent appeal: Help bring Padmaprabha home
We've learned of an urgent situation facing a member of our wider Buddhist community. Padmaprabha, a former Dharmacharini who lives in Lewes with her husband Jnanabandhu, a Triratna Dharmachari, suffered a brain haemorrhage while the couple were on holiday in Croatia. She is currently in intensive care there, and doctors have told the family that Croatia is unable to provide the specialist treatment she needs.
The options to get Padmaprabha safely home to the UK for the care she urgently requires are either by road in an ambulance, costing £20,700, or by specially equipped medical flight, costing £30,000. Their travel insurance covers her medical treatment in Croatia but does not extend to repatriation. Time is critical — without returning to the UK, she cannot get the critical care she needs. Padmaprabha and Jnanabandhu's daughter has set up a GoFundMe appeal to raise the funds, but the total has not yet been reached.
If you are able to contribute, or to share this appeal with others who might, it could make a real difference to Padmaprabha's chances of coming home safely. You can contribute to the appeal by following this link: Help bring my mum home
Please bear Padmaprabha, Jnanabandhu, and their family in mind, and send them your love and metta.
Contact Communications Support: jinavamsa@abhayaratnatrust.org with any questions or feedback.