Support and Donations
Dāna or Generosity
There is no charge for attending retreats at Amaravati. The teachings are given freely. This is in keeping with the Thai Forest monastic tradition as practised here at Amaravati.
We are able to continue offering retreats due to the generosity of past retreatants. This may be financial, or take the form of volunteering your time or special skills. Whatever you feel inspired to give is gratefully received.
Volunteering
There are currently no opportunities for people to help out at the Retreat Centre, as we are not holding any on-site retreats in the near future. However, there may be some opportunities to volunteer with the main monastery through the Lotus Volunteer Group. For more information please follow this link.
Donations
All donations are gratefully received and are used to meet the running costs of the Retreat Centre.
If your donation is for a specified purpose and the amount donated is more than necessary for that particular purpose, the excess will be used for the general support of the Sangha and to fund improvements to the Retreat Centre facilities. This will also be the case for any funds remaining, once all the Retreat Centre running costs have been covered.
Online
Online donations can be made via the Dona service here. Also, there are two donation machines for credit cards at the monastery: one in the Temple, and one in the Sala.
(Inter)national Bank Transfers
To make domestic and international transfers, please contact the Trust Secretary by completing the contact form at the bottom of this page to request details of the Trust’s bank account. We advise you to check with your bank in advance on the charges for transferring funds.
NB: If you wish your donation to go towards the retreat centre, please put “Retreats” in the transfer’s narration. Also, if your donation is for a specified purpose and the amount donated is more than is needed for that particular purpose, any surplus funds will be used for the general support of the community.
Cheques
Please make cheques payable to: The English Sangha Trust Ltd.
For donations by cheque at any time other than the beginning or end of a retreat, please put your cheque in a sealed envelope that is clearly addressed to the Retreat Centre. This can then be given to a Retreat Centre manager, left at the main monastery office or posted to: Retreat Centre, Amaravati Buddhist Monastery, Great Gaddesden, Hemel Hempstead, Herts. HP1 3BZ
Cash
Cash donations can be made at the beginning or end of a retreat. Cash donations at any other time should be sealed in an envelope that is clearly addressed to the Retreat Centre and given to a Retreat Centre manager or placed in a donation box at the monastery.
Standing Order
This is a way to spread the cost of your donation over the year and to make a regular donation to the Retreat Centre. A standing order may be more convenient for you and it also helps with the Retreat Centre budgeting.
If you wish to set up a standing order, please print a Standing Order Form by clicking the button below, complete this form ensuring that it is signed and then post to: Retreat Centre, Amaravati Buddhist Monastery, Great Gaddesden, Hemel Hempstead, Herts. HP1 3BZ
Gift Aid
If you are a UK tax payer, please consider Gift Aiding your donation. This enables us to claim back from the Government 25p for every pound that you donate, which adds significantly to Retreat Centre income.
At the end of each retreat we explain how you can register your donation for Gift Aid or you can print a form by clicking the button below. Once you have completed and signed this form, please send it to: Retreat Centre, Amaravati Buddhist Monastery, Great Gaddesden, Hemel Hempstead, Herts. HP1 3BZ