August News 2023
A message from Nagabodhi
who knew Abhayaratna
Taradakini writes: Nagabodhi’s message (click on image above to view video) is very timely. It launches us into our Looking out for the Order appeal to raise £10,000 a year. Not for a specific Order member, like you often see in these newsletters, but for our work worldwide. Why? Because for every appeal for an individual you see, there are at least another 20 Order members requesting support that you don’t hear about.
We don’t publicise personal details of our grants work but as the Grants Co-ordinator, I can give you a few recent examples: Order members in India needing just £30 each to go on retreat; Order members in the UK who haven’t been able to afford a solitary retreat for years; Order members in Mexico who have always wanted to visit Adhisthana and never been able to afford the travel; Order members in Europe in need of a hearing aid or dental care; Order members worldwide who have suddenly lost their work due to a health crisis.
With your help, we can make sure we have enough money in the Abhayaratna Worldwide Fund to meet these needs and all the other requests that we receive. Every week I witness modest amounts of grant money making a big difference to someone in unexpected financial difficulty.
We make so many more grants now that we undoubtably need your help. Please support our work with a regular donation (or increase what you already give). Click on our donation page here and make a monthly or annual gift to the Abhayaratna Worldwide Fund - and know that you will be giving a practical hand to more than 100 Order members worldwide every year. Thank you.
Local Care Network: ‘I think it’s a great project.’ Dhammadinna
This video (click on the image above to view) is part of a series of conversations with Order members to encourage dialogue within the Order about taking care of each other. The issue of care is becoming more pressing with the changing demographic of the Order. Currently the majority of Order members (excluding those in India) are in their 50s-60s. And although we may need care at any age, it becomes more likely as we grow older.
In this video Abhayaratna Trust director Mahasraddha talks with Dhammadinna about how care is part of the natural fabric of sangha, and how something a bit more organised, such as a Local Care Network, can help us be more proactive in anticipating people’s needs by drawing resources together and by acting as a channel for the already existing network of kalyana mitrata.
Akashamitra wanted to say yes
We are happy to announce that Akashamitra, based in Cambridge, has joined the Abhayaratna Trust as a trustee, bringing his many years of experience.
Akashamitra writes; ‘I was approached about the possibility of becoming a trustee, and wanted to say yes because I think the work that the trust does is so valuable and significant. I feel it's important that we all do what we can to support others, especially those who are no longer able to fully support themselves, and this of course applies to our Order and community. I've spent the last 30 years doing community development and charity work, the last 10 of which have been as a programmes manager for Karuna Trust, and so I thought I might have some relevant skills and experience which I could bring to the role.’
Indeed he does! Thank you for volunteering Akashamitra.
A small favour
Thank you to those of you who responded to our 5 quick questions survey in the June Newsletter. It was helpful to read your views. For example on housing, 78% of you said ‘yes’ or ‘maybe’ to the question ‘Are you interested in living with other Order members – eg in a co-housing type situation – now or in the future?’ This is something Abhayaratna Trust is looking at, to see where we might contribute to that conversation about potential housing projects.
If you didn’t get around to completing the survey – which takes less than 5 minutes and can be anonymous – the link is still open. We appreciate hearing from you. Just click Fill in using Google Forms.
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Communications Support: jinavamsa@abhayaratnatrust.org - Send your ideas, reflections and feedback - we love to hear from you.