Success stories

A big thank you from Ratnavandana

Following the successful appeal to raise money to Ratnavandana to have transport and a website, she responded with this heartfelt letter to those who kindly donated:

Hello and a massive, deeply felt THANK YOU to each of you. I write this with a very full heart. It’s been a truly unique and very heart opening experience to be the subject of an appeal by the Abhayaratna Trust. The whole process of making the decision to ask them if they would do an appeal was a big thing in itself, and it’s been very revealing in terms of what arises when putting oneself on the line in this way.

Any worries I might have had as to whether anyone would respond were very quickly dispelled as it soon became clear that I was living in Ratnasambhava’s realm of supreme generosity. This is truly how it feels to be given to in this way.

Interestingly when I started to look at cars, I found myself really attracted to a bright yellow car. It didn’t take long to realise why, that it symbolised that glorious realm of open-handed generosity. Who knows what colour I will end up with, the main thing is that I am now in the position of being able to get a car, enabling me to continue my life here in mid Wales and this is a huge relief and great delight.  I am so fortunate to be in this position thanks to all of you.

Not only that, but a young man called Bertrand, who lives in Glasgow, is currently working on a new website for my cards. This may well help me to be more self sufficient again. For a good number of years I managed well, with just my state pension and what came in from the cards, but certainly since the pandemic, this has completely changed. Not being able to update my old website has made it difficult for people to use and I haven’t been able to add any new pictures either, so this new website will make everything fresh again and hopefully bring new orders.

Although I have written all these words they don’t begin to convey the depth of the experience of being the recipient of such love and support, but please know that my heart is full of gratitude and appreciation. Thank you for responding.

With deep gratefulness,

Ratnavandana

Maitrijaya’s pickle factory success

Covid decimated the fledgling pickle manufacturing and trading business of Dharmacharini Maitrijaya. Sales completely dried up leaving Maitrijaya and her family with no income. The livelihood grant from the Abhayaratna Trust allowed her to not only re-establish the business but also expand it. The business now has its own premises and she sells a wide range of pickles all of manufactured there and employs 10 people from the surrounding village, further expanding the impact of the grant.

Maitrijaya’s business also has a solid reputation in India and sales are now largely completed online. My impression was that the business could easily become international, maybe even a rival to Pataks!

I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Maitrijaya’s business and seeing the impact of her grant from the Abhayaratna Trust with my own eyes. Deep gratitude was expressed to the Abhayaratna Trust not just from Maitrijaya, but also the employees I met in the factory.

Appeal success - for 147

Thank you hugely to all those who supported our appeal to enable 150 Order members in India attend the 2025 International Convention at Bodhgaya in January.

Donations almost exactly matched the need and we have now sent the funds to India for 147 Order member places - the final number who requested financial support.

The International Convention in India every 8 years enables Order members living there to meet those from around the world, creating and developing friendships across continents and enhancing the unity of the Order. For many this will be, without exaggeration, a once in a lifetime opportunity.

THANK YOU!