London Buddhist Centre Annual Report April 2018–March 2019
Chair’s Report
40/40 Celebrations On 29th October 2018 we launched our ‘40/40’ celebrations. This was a month-long anniversary looking back at all the various conditions and people that have made the LBC what it is today and looking ahead to the next 40 years. Highlights of the celebrations included: • the original builders coming together for a morning of connection and recollection; • talks by older and younger sangha members; • an interview with Subhuti; • a delightful Sangha Day festival culminating in twenty people becoming mitras; • I also met with the Mayor of Tower Hamlets, John Biggs; Rushanara Ali, the MP for Bethnal Green and Bow; and Tower Hamlets Deputy Mayor and Councillor Sirajul Islam, for a delightful afternoon. They all expressed their appreciation of the LBC’s influence on the area over the past years.
One Year as Chair I marked my first full year as Chair on 5th March 2019. When I took over from Jnanavaca, I could not have imagined how the year would unfold and how full, inspirational and positively stretching it would be for me. As a centre we marked two hugely significant events: the first being our month-long 40th anniversary celebrations, and the second, the death of Bhante Sangharakshita, our founder and teacher. These two events are inextricably linked in my mind. Bhante died the day after I launched the ‘40/40’ celebrations, which seemed highly significant. It certainly meant that our celebrations became about honouring Bhante’s unique influence on us, individually and as a community, whilst reflecting on the incredible journey we have been on at the LBC. While we had special events to mark Bhante’s passing, I also appreciated how we were able to continue our existing programme. My overall feeling was one of gratitude for all that we are as a centre and for our wonderfully generous team, as well as for the generosity of so many Order members, mitras and friends who contribute to it.
Farewell On Friday 1st March Srivati led a beautiful funeral here at the LBC for Peter Cogger. The funeral was well attended and organised and it was a positive occasion where his many friends and relatives rejoiced in his qualities.
New Order Members
Death of Urgyen Sangharakshita
We were delighted to welcome four new Order members back to the LBC after their ordinations. Dharmacharinis Garavavati, Vimokshini and Suvarnajyoti were ordained at Akashavana on the three-month retreat; Dharmachari Amaladana was ordained on the four-month retreat at Guhyaloka. Two women are currently on the 2019 three-month Akashavana retreat: Hanka Dilley and Sarah Nixon. Three men – Todd Donnelly, Alex Green and Barry Copping – are on the four-month Guhyaloka retreat which Maitreyabandhu is leading.
(26 August 1925–30 October 2018) When the news came that Bhante was seriously ill in hospital, a number of phone calls passed between myself, Vidyadaka and Maitreyabandhu. We sketched out potential activities to host should he pass away. Two hours later, at 11 am, we were informed he had died and the sketched-out plans became real. At 3pm, we had our first event, led by Maitreyabandhu. The shrine room was full as we all absorbed what had happened; Maitreyabandhu’s puja felt like a fitting collective ritual. Later that night, the shrine room was full again as I led a seven-fold puja and some shared their memories of him and their response to his passing. The next morning Vidyadaka led a Bodhicitta practice and for the next week sangha members came together in the mornings to practise puja and meditation before a shared breakfast. I was deeply impressed with the way the LBC team worked together to organise a range of different activities to meet our need at that time to gather in large numbers. This included organising coaches to Adhisthana for the funeral. We will continue to mark Bhante’s passing this year. Recently, Order members and mitras came together for the first hour of Parinirvana day to evoke memories of him. The mixed, regional Order event organised recently by Prajnadevi, Dhiraprabha and Mangala also evoked Bhante through talks and discussion. The LBC will mark the first anniversary of his death this October.
LBC Activities The focus of this year’s many highlights was the 40/40 anniversary. In addition to this we had a hugely enjoyable and stimulating presidential visit from Subhuti with a series of inspirational ‘Rambles’ that are highly recommended listening. The great range of other activities is detailed in Maitreryaraja’s Secretary’s report.
BBC Radio 4 Another highlight for me was being asked to do a series of programmes for BBC Radio 4’s long-running programme ‘Something Understood’. I was particularly pleased that the LBC was featured prominently in their publicity and that I was able to quote Bhante regularly during each presentation. After twenty-five years on the air, ‘Something Understood’ has sadly come to an end.
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Sikkha Project
In the penultimate episode, I presented on the theme of ‘Beginner’s Mind’.
This year we launched a new initiative to support other centres to develop a culture of inspiration. In March, fifteen Order members from Dublin and Berlin came to the LBC with members of the Sikkha project team for teacher training and workshops on specific topics such as Sub25 events and a visioning exercise. This week-long event was preceded by discussions with both teams as to what changes they wanted to make at their centres so that they could build on what they were already doing well. The training week will be followed up by a weekend at Vajrasana and visits by members of the Sikkha project to both centres. Both Subhadramati and Maitreyabandhu worked creatively and enthusiastically to bring this project about in conjunction with the Sikkha team, so sadhu to them!
Yoga Yoga continues to be popular part of the centre’s offering and, after a successful period covering for Garavavati while she was at Akashavana, the yoga team proposed that Sraddhagita join them permanently. Sraddhagita now works for the team on a part-time basis, helping with class cover and supporting the team on residential yoga retreats. She also brings her considerable experience of team-based right livelihood to the team, which has been very welcome. The rest of Sraddhagita’s time is spent supporting the carer’s project at the centre and working as my assistant, for which I am truly grateful! The yoga team continues to explore different ways of making yoga more available and effective. Consequently the team recently made changes to the Thursday evening class – enabling them to focus on teaching yoga for regulars whilst freeing up space for other Dharma activities.
Vajrasana Vajrasana continues to do well under the care of its resident community Jnanaruchi, Saddhaketu and Dridhakarin. As Vajrasana is a separate business from the LBC, Vidyadaka has become its CEO. As well as leading the Directors’ meeting, Vidyadaka also meets with the resident community regularly. He is impressed with the way they are deepening their connections as a community as well as the care they take of the retreatants and the centre itself. Certainly some of the most frequent comments I receive as Chair from people coming off retreat are to do with the beauty of the venue and the warmth of the welcome they receive from the community on arriving. This year Vajrasana had six long retreats, all of which were fully booked. The Winter Mandala retreat was sold out three months in advance.
Lama’s Pyjamas Lama’s Pyjamas continues to contribute significantly both to the local community, providing a valuable service, and to the mandala. Not only does it create a positive team-based right livelihood experience for its team and volunteers, it also generates considerable dana. The shop was recognised this year by The London Faith Belief and Community Forum. At an event in central London, Nikki Moores and I were presented, by Her Majesty’s LordLieutenant of Greater London’s Council on Faith, with a specially commended judges’ award for the contribution Lama’s has made to social inclusion.
Daytime Convenor and Mandala Communications
The existing Lama’s team was joined by Dani Schink and Marlene Laurman this year. Abhayanandi took a sabbatical and has recently returned from a three-month retreat.
This year we welcomed Maitrivajri back after her long solitary retreat and she started a new role as Daytime Convenor. Her role will be to manage and develop daytime activities at the centre including MBCT activities, outreach and lunchtime classes. Following on from forums held last year, Maitrivajri will also be exploring ways to develop avenues for more effective mandala communications.
Jambala Bookshop Jambala also saw staff changes with Esther Cann leaving. Prajnamala led a successful initiative to recruit volunteers and both Prajnamala and Heather have been well supported by a team including Achalapriya, Enrico Nadalutti, Céline Ammeux and Simon Howes.
Abhayavajra
Breathing Space This year Luke Doherty left his post as Breathing Space Manager at the LBC after five years of faithful service. During his time here Luke was instrumental in developing the carers’ project, which continues to grow well. Brian Hanley was recruited temporarily to join Charlie Byles while Breathing Space goes through a period of rethinking and restructuring.
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After twenty-two years, Abhayavajra is leaving the LBC Council and, with that, the LBC mandala. Over the years, Abhayavajra has been involved with a vast range of activities. He lived and worked at Vajrasana for over seventeen years, caring for the place and ensuring the smooth running of activities on his own for twelve of those years. Then he was an important link person as a new living and working community established itself at Vajrasana after the rebuild.
He also contributed to life in the LBC Mandala prior to this by working in and managing the Gallery CafÊ, a local team based right livelihood business for men. He lived in Sukhavati men’s community for many years, led mitra study and has been a kalyana mitra to many people. He also worked with Maitreyabandhu to paint the lotus mural in the LBC Courtyard. We really are indebted to Abhayavajra, who has shown such loyal service and commitment over the years. His humility, generosity and ability to be a truly loyal friend have benefited the mandala in many seen and unseen ways. We wish him well in this next phase as he spends more time as an artist and continues to support the local Bury St Edmunds sangha.
Dana Generosity and friendship are the foundations on which the Centre flourishes and we continue to share the fruits of our efforts with the wider Triratna community, in terms of time, energy and other resources. This year we gave dana to The India Dhamma Trust, Akashavana and Ratnaghosha. We wish them well in their future endeavours. Yours in the Dharma,
Suryagupta Chair April 2019
suryagupta@lbc.org.uk
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Treasurer’s Report
Property income
As in previous years, these figures are taken from the LBC management accounts. They contrast the financial year April 2017–March 2018 with 2016–17 (shown in brackets as ‘2017’), and provide some comments about the year to March 2019 (detailed data not yet available) as well as looking ahead a little. For more detail, see the LBC’s audited accounts at: https://bit.ly/2ueD2dU.
Property income rose by 15% to £334,814 (2017: £294,165). This is mainly due to receiving rent from the new community, Sadharma Pradipa, although most of this (less a 10% management fee) is then paid out to Prakasha, the landlord. Rents for LBC communities are reviewed and usually raised each year – in the years to March 2018 and March 2019, rents were increased by 3.5%. Our investment property (a flat on Roman Road) and the Larder continue to provide steady revenue as well.
Income
Total income Total income was up by 9%, at £1,397,675 (2017: £1,276,521). The increase in retreat income was the largest factor in this change, while Lama’s Pyjamas and Breathing Space also played a significant part. We note that core LBC activities did not increase by more than by inflation in the year under review; however the current year (to March 2019) shows a more substantial increase in this area, notably from yoga classes.
LBC activities & donations Income from our core activities rose very slightly to £461,114 (2017: £459,764). Here, a 15% drop in donations, as well as small decreases in LBC bookshop income, St Martin’s Lane courses and the Adhisthana Winter Retreat, were balanced out by steady increases in all other activities: classes and courses, poetryEast and day and weekend events. The Adhisthana Winter Retreat generated less income only because many more people (50) booked the full ten days that year, which offers better value per night, and was very pleasing for us in terms of people’s willingness to go on a longer retreat. The decreasing popularity of courses at St Martin’s Lane meant that they were stopped after December 2018. Regarding donations, we are still seeing a return to post-Vajrasana levels of fundraising, and will be making efforts to increase fundraising this year.
Expenses LBC core costs Our core costs were up 10%, at £551,085 (2017: £502,128). The most significant factors here were the outgoing rent to Prakasha (balanced by increased income, minus a management charge, as mentioned above), and increased spending on professional fees. This was due to a change of accountants and auditor, meaning extensive reviews of our book-keeping processes and VAT returns. (This cost has now stabilized, with accountancy fees in 201819 down by £8,600, or 26%, on 2017-18.) Inflation also added ordinary rises to costs such as bank charges. Meanwhile office expenses, maintenance and utility costs were all down.
Retreat Income Retreat income rose by 22% to £310,056 (2017: £254,014) in the second year of the newly rebuilt Vajrasana retreat centre. There were various factors here, including increased booking rates, a weekend retreat for CEOs run by Maitreyabandhu and Jnanavaca, and our usual yearly rise in prices. Price rises for retreats in 2018 and 2019 were in line with inflation.
Supported staff
Breathing Space income
Staff costs increased by 21% to £459,759 (2017: £379,833). About a third of this difference is attributable to all supported staff going on to a pension scheme, with the LBC paying the full 8% employer contribution about a year before this was mandatory under the new auto-enrolment rules. The yoga team also expanded, with Esther McKinney and Sraddhagita joining. This meant yoga activities could increase, with an additional lunchtime class, and more day retreats at weekends. While the Vajrasana team returned from two to three supported members, the previous year also had a combination of two and three members, so this did not increase costs.
This rose by 13% to £103,166 (2017: £91,619). The increase was mainly attributable to a grant of £10,950 from the insurer XL Catlin for carers’ services in Newham. Income from courses and retreats was in fact marginally down, due to fewer courses than usual being run in this period.
Charity shop income Charity shop income overall was up by 7%, at £188,525 (2017: £176,959). The increase was attributable to continued growth in income at Lama’s, while at Jambala Bookshop income was slightly down on the previous year. Prajnamala, the manager at Jambala, is making a variety of efforts to increase income.
Retreat centre expenses 5
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Costs of running Vajrasana were up 11%, at £196,235 (2017 pro-rata: £176,357 ). Much of this increase was the purchase of a tractor mower for the site; electricity costs also increased after meter readings. A third factor was a rise in our gas price, which was negotiated down again during the year – the saving shows up in 2018-19, which has an average cost of £1,177/month, down from £1,615 in 2017-18).
Charity shops These expenses were almost level, at £19,439 (2017: £19,534). Making more use of volunteer help in Jambala will show as a drop in costs in 2018-19.
Total expenses Total expenses were up by 18.3% at £1,226,518 (2017: £1,036,716).
Surplus & conclusion
Our surplus was hereby down 27% on the previous year, at £171,157 (2017: £239,805). With more people on support and rolling out the pension package, we had anticipated that 2017-18 would produce a smaller surplus than the previous year. We expect 2018-19 to have produced a similar surplus, as we continued at present staff levels and also absorbed the running costs of Vajrasana, which have been higher than initially forecast. The 2019-20 budget, however, anticipates a surplus of £214,000, which combines efforts to continue managing expenses (such as with professional fees as mentioned above, and a health insurance scheme to contain staff medical expenses) with increased targets in some income streams such as standing order donations, and bookings at Vajrasana continuing to increase, with more retreats fully booked than a year ago.
Note on borrowing In 2018-19 we also drew down the last of our loan funds from Triodos for the development of Vajrasana. Our regular monthly outgoings on loan repayments are therefore now stable at £12,479, which is comprised of two loans with Triodos Bank and one with the Windhorse Trust. Interest on one of the two Triodos loans is variable according to the Bank of England rate, but another quarter of a percentage point (expected in the autumn) will add only £119 to our repayment costs.
Prajnamanas Treasurer April 2019
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Secretary’s Report
Outreach The LBC stopped running Buddhist Meditation Foundation courses on Saturday mornings at St Martin’s Lane in Central London at the end of 2018.
In this report I describe the ongoing work of the Centre with information about some of the significant changes that have happened within the LBC or its mandala/ community over the last year. I will then list the range of activities that the LBC has been able to offer.
We have responded to a number of other outreach requests, reflecting continued interest in mindfulness and meditation generally.
Ongoing projects
Upeksadhi, Vanaraji and others continue developing the Mid-Essex Buddhist Centre.
People at the LBC continue to explore and practise the Four Sangharavastus, the traditional ‘Means of Unification of the Sangha’. Beneficial Activity was the theme for 2018. This January, Suryagupta launched the theme for 2019 in her talk, ‘Shining the Infinite Light of Wisdom’, which explored the importance of Exemplification.
The Hornchurch Buddhist group continues, led by Nandaketu and Saddhabhaya. A number of LBC Order Members have been helping the Brixton Centre. Viryanaga became Chair last year, taking over from Suddhaka. Sagarasila, Maitrinara and Vajrabandhu have all been helping to run classes with Maitrinara becoming Men’s Mitra Convenor. Viryanaga and Maitrinara have established a new Men’s community in South London.
Regular Classes Akashamitra, Dayabhadra, Devamitra, Jnanavaca, Kusalasara, Silapiya, Subhadramati, Suryagupta, Manjusiha, Maitrivajri and team currently lead the Dharma Night class.
Sub25 Activities
Mahamani, Maitreyaraja, Sanghasiha, Vidyadaka Prajnadevi and team run the Tuesday Night class.
The Sub25 project continues to grow, with the average ‘Third Friday’ class attended by between thirty and forty people.
The Wednesday Day time class continues with Jyotismati, Kalyanavaca, Sajjana, Shraddhapushpa, Stavarha, Mangala and team. Achalapriya and Abhayanandi left the team.
Saturday morning events (most months) tend to attract just under twenty.
The Wednesday Night Class is run by Dayanatha, Devamitra, Maitreyabandhu, Subhadramati, Amalayodhin, Abhayanandi, Suvarnajyoti, Prajnamanas and team. Ajjavin left the team.
In March, the fourth Sub25 retreat took place at Vajrasana and was sold out once again. The project is being administrated by Gus Miller after Alex Green stepped back earlier this year prior to going to Guhyaloka.
The Yoga, Chi Kung & Meditation Class led by Danayutta, Jayaka, Garavavati, Priyavajra and team finished at the end of 2018. The Yoga team of Danayutta, Esther, Garavavati and Sraddhagita now run a Yoga class on Thursdays nights. The other teaching spaces are now available for courses.
The teaching team are Gus, Hannah Peaty, Sarah Nixon (currently at Akashavana), Catrine Skeppar, James Thormod and Matt Grenz, with David Breen, Dani Schink and Kirsten Goodridge about to start teaching too.
The Friday Class is led by Nandaraja and Svadhi.
The teaching team is overseen and supported by Danayutta and Dayanatha. Around them is a growing team made up of regulars to the classes with a committed core of about twenty who are frequently there to support.
Maitripushpa, Padmalila and team have been leading a monthly Women’s class on Saturday afternoons. Mahamani has stepped back from the class for now. Sudurjaya also left the team.
Two young men’s pre-mitra groups, predominantly formed from the Sub25 class, are now up and running, while Subhadramati is leading a second short study course for young women, helping those for whom the Sub25 project has been a doorway into the LBC to take their involvement further.
Lunchtime classes run from Monday to Saturday. The regular lunchtime leaders are: Danayutta, Jayaka, Kusalasara, Maitreyaraja, Maitrinita, Sajjana, Sanghasiha, Tareshvari, Vajrabandhu, Vandanajyoti, Nandaraja and Siddhiratna. Sumana, Mangala, Maitrinara and Dayaruci ceased teaching lunchtime classes regularly.
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Yoga for Meditation
also forward to the next forty years. Suryagupta hosted an afternoon tea for local dignitaries and was joined by our local MP, Mayor and two Councillors. After a host of special events, a rousing puja concluded our celebrations on Sangha Day when twenty people became Mitras.
Danayutta, Garavavati, Esther McKinney and Sraddhagita continue to run seventeen weekly Yoga for Meditation classes. They also run afternoons, days, courses and retreats. Garavavati is currently managing the Yoga Team.
Presidential Visit
Lama’s Pyjamas Charity Shop
During his presidential visit in autumn 2018, Subhuti participated in our anniversary celebrations, attending an event thanking all those who had helped to build the centre in the 70’s. In addition to a series of inspiring Dharma talks and meeting people individually, Suryagupta interviewed him about his life and work.
Abhayanandi, Sarah Nixon, Dani Schink, Marleen Laurman and Nikki Moores are currently running the shop. Sally Ramsden left the team last year after making a significant contribution over a five-year period. Abhayanandi, who generally manages the shop, has taken six months sabbatical time within this year. Sraddhagita has given the team some informal managerial support whilst Abhayanandi is away.
LBC Council The current LBC council is: Jayaka, Maitrivajri, Paramabandhu, Satyadasa, Srivati, Abhayanandi, Subhadramati and Suryagupta.
Jambala Charity Shop Prajnamala (manager) and Heather Belcher work together to run the bookshop with a group of regular volunteers. Esther Cann left the team in 2018.
Abhayavajra left the council after being a member for twenty two years – see the Chair’s report for more.
Parent’s, Children’s and Young People’s Activities
Pure Land Limited and Vajrasana Retreat Centre
The Wednesday Day Class continues to run a crèche for
Pure Land Limited, the LBC’s trading subsidiary, manages Vajrasana Retreat Centre. Its directors are Jnanavaca, Maitreyabandhu and Maitreyaraja; Vidyadaka is its CEO.
children under five. This popular class teaches newcomers and regulars as well as running practice mornings. The Buddhist Sunday School for three to ten year-olds, run by Jyotismati and team on the last Sunday of the month, continues to thrive. Up to sixty parents and children attend.
Women’s and Men’s Teams Subhadramati and Mahamani work together as the two women’s mitra convenors. Maitrivajri has returned from her sabbatical and is re-engaging with the work of the LBC as the daytime covenor. Danayutta, Garavavati and Esther McKinney continue to teach and coordinate all yoga activities at both the LBC and Vajrasana in addition to helping with the general running of the centre. Sraddhagita helps with yoga and carer’s activities while also working as Suryagupta’s PA.
Drop-in Dharma Discussion for Parents Maitrinita and Vijayadipa and team run a Dharma session specifically for parents. They invite guest Order Members to give talks one Sunday afternoon a month. They also provide a crèche. Satyin left the team.
Vidyadaka continues to manage the Admin team. Prajnamanas is the Treasurer and continues to look after LBC finances with Andy Harding. Todd Donnelly is helping to maintain and develop the LBC’s IT infrastructure. Gus Miller is the Bookings and Events Manager and edits the LBC magazine.
Bodhi Tree and Mindfulness in Schools Srivati and team continue to host school visits to the Centre under the auspices of Bodhi Tree, which is a separate charity. Srivati continues to promote and teach Mindfulness in Schools.
40th Anniversary Celebrations Subhadramati, Vidyadaka, Maitreyabandhu, Danayutta, and Todd together meticulously planned and organized our highly successful, month-long fortieth anniversary celebrations. Not only did we look back to the past, but
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Luke Doherty left the team after more than five years at the end of 2018. Luke has steadily managed and developed the LBC’s Breathing Space project. Brian Hanley joined the Breathing Space team for a nine-month position early in 2019. He decided to leave after three months for personal reasons. Charlie Byles is currently working to run and progress Breathing Space activities. Matt Daniel continues to help Breathing Space one day a week as a volunteer.
Festival Days
Other team members are Alex Green, Jayaka, Vajrabandhu and Maitreyaraja. Vajrabandhu has decided to leave the team in June 2019 after serving the needs of the Centre generously as Caretaker and helping in all sorts of miscellaneous ways for over five years. Priyavajra stopped helping the Admin team on a voluntary basis one day per week.
- Buddha Day was led by Vidyadaka, Danayutta and team. - Dharma Day was led by Maitreyaraja, Prajnadevi and team - Padmasambhava day was led by Abhayanandi, Saddhaketu and team - Sangha Day was led by Maitreyabandhu, Subhadramati and team - Parinirvana Day was led by Suryagupta, Prajnamanas, Devamitra and team - The 108-year puja dedicated to Urgyen Sangharakshita, founder of the Triratna Buddhist Order and Community, was led by Vidyadaka and team - Monthly full moon pujas were led by various Order members and class teams
Alex, Todd and Gus have been invited to join the Triratna Buddhist Order. Todd and Alex will attend their Ordination course in Spain from April-July 2019. Gus will attend in 2020. Jnanadaya and Amalayodhin have joined the team temporarily to help to cover the work of Alex and Todd while they are away.
LBC Volunteers
Retreats
The LBC is supported in its work by a host of volunteers. Vajrabandhu and his team keep the Centre looking clean and beautiful. Maitreyaraja coordinates a large team of volunteer receptionists who continue to offer visitors a warm welcome. Many other volunteers contribute in a steady way to the work of the Centre.
The following retreats were held in 2018 or planned for 2019: - Introductory weekend retreats (8 in 2018, 8 planned for 2019) - Regulars weekend retreats (4 in 2018, 3 & 1 week planned for 2019) - Yoga and meditation retreats (4 weekends & one 5-night retreat in 2018, 4 weekends & 1 week planned in 2019) - Sub25 retreats (2 in 2018, 2 planned for 2019) - Spring retreat (9 days) led by Akashamitra, Vandanajyoti and team - Parents’ and children’s /families (5 days) retreat led by Jyotismati, Prasannavira and team - Intensive meditation retreat (9 days) for men led by Maitreyabandhu, Vidyadaka and team - Intensive meditation retreat (9 days) for women led by Suryagupta and team - Summer retreat (9 days), led by Abhayanandi, Satyadasa and team - Women’s mitra weekend - Urban retreat led by Subhadramati, Mahamani, Jnanadaya, Garavavati, Vidyadaka and team - Winter retreat for newcomers led by Vidyadaka, Garavavati and team - Winter Mandala retreat for regulars led by Jnanavaca, Suryagupta and team
LBC Communities Seven residential communities occupy property either owned or managed by the LBC, four women’s and three men’s. There are several other communities and Buddhist house-shares in the locality.
Vajrasana Retreat Centre Community Jnanaruchi, Dridhakarin and Saddhaketu continue to live on site to maintain and develop the Centre. Abhayavajra continues to live in the community with them.
Safeguarding Satyadasa became the LBC’s safeguarding trustee. Mahamani and Maitreyaraja are the LBC’s safeguarding officers. The LBC’s child protection policy and safeguarding adults policy have both been revised and updated.
Special Events and Retreats
Day Events
To conclude my report, I have listed all activities the LBC has offered over the last year; my apologies if there are any omissions. Thank you to all who have helped to make this possible. The LBC is a huge, collaborative and generous endeavour. No-one at the LBC is paid to teach; all who contribute to classes, courses and retreats (both leaders and support teams) do so voluntarily. This is a remarkable record of generosity and kalyana mitrata (spiritual friendship).
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- Mantra and Meditation mornings led by Dayabhadra - Deep Ecology days led by Sanghasiha - Buddhism and 12-Steps day led by Sanghasiha - Transforming Self and World mornings organised by Tessa Horvath, Steph Delany, Cath Drake and team and led by a number of Order Members - Buddhism Breakfast seminars led by Vidyadaka and team - Compassionate Communication days led by Vajraghanta - ‘Total Immersion’ days led by Dharmaprabha and Kalyanavaca - Chi Kung half-days led by Jayaka and Jnanadaya
- Introductory Meditation days led by various Order members - Three day retreats over the Christmas and New Year period - New Year’s Eve with all-night meditation led by Ambaranta and Atula - Women’s and Men’s Order days - Three open days - Introduction to Buddhist Ritual Day led by Svadhi - Pain Management day led by Kalyanavaca and Tareshvari - Men’s Day led by Prajnamanas and Dayanatha - Over 60’s Days run by Mangala - People of Colour days led by Suryagupta, Bodhilila and team - Team-Based Right Livelihood day led by Abhayanandi and the Lama’s team - Women’s Mitra morning led by Mahamani - ‘What is a Mitra?’ day led by Jayaka and Mahamani - Meditation Day: The Cave led by Sanghajit - ‘Before I Die’ day led by Padmalila - ‘Purity of Enlightenment’ morning led by Amalayodhin - Intensive meditation mornings on Saturdays led by various Order Members
Courses - ‘The Journey and the Guide’ course led by Maitreyabandhu, Garavavati and Dayanatha - A course on the Metta Bhavana led by Vidyadaka and Mahamani - ‘Life with Full Attention’ courses led by Danayutta, Amalayodhin, Subhadramati and Maitreyabandhu - ‘Heart of Wisdom, Mind of Love’ seminar series led by Jnanavaca and Suryagupta - ‘Know Your Mind’ course led by Vidyadaka and Prajnadevi - A ‘Meditation Starter Kit’ led by Garavavati and Maitreyabandhu - Seven Point Mind Training led by Jayaka - Lunchtime Dharma/Deepening in Meditation courses were run by Jnanadaya and Vidyadaka
Arts Events - Poetry East continues at the LBC, organised and run by Maitreyabandhu and team - Film nights, run by Devamitra have become a regular feature at the Centre - Dayabhadra, Vandanajyoti (musical director), Natalia Kieniewicz and Peter White continue to run the LBC choir which has sung at Festival Days and other events - Creative Writing sessions were run by Vishvantara, Vijayadipa, and Esther Cann
Maitreyaraja Secretary April 2019
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Women’s Mitra Convenor’s Report
Finally we want to thank the many Order members who lead mitra study groups, take part in ordination ‘kulas’ and offer kalyana mitrata to all the LBC mitras in so many ways. Yours in the Dharma,
Ordinations
Subhadramati and Mahamani Women’s Mitra Convenors April 2019
We’re very pleased to report that three women have been ordained on the three-month Akashavana retreat since the last report – Garavavati, Suvarnajyoti and Vimokshini. Subhadramati was leading the retreat and so it was especially delightful to have women from the LBC attending. Two more women are on the three-month Akashavana retreat in 2019 – Hanka Dilley and Sarah Nixon.
Mitra News Twenty-seven women have become mitras since the last report. We were particularly pleased to have two of these ceremonies at the Wednesday daytime class – a first! Twelve women have asked for ordination.
Contexts We both teach at our bigger ‘public’ classes so that people can see Dharmacharinis ‘up front’ and also because it gives us a great opportunity to connect with lots of people coming to the Centre, especially with those who wish to take their involvement deeper. So, you’ll find one or the other of us at the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evening classes. We also regularly lead or attend weekend retreats, the urban retreat, ‘open days’ and the winter retreats. Mahamani has a mitra group and until recently co-led the womens’ class. Subhadramati continues to lead weekly study for the women in Lamas Pyjamas and Jambala.
New Initiatives Mahamani has initiated regular practice reviews three times a year for all mitras. We’ve had a morning for women thinking of asking for ordination and one (together with Jayaka) for people thinking of asking to be a mitra. We’re about to start a series of Saturday mornings for women who have asked for ordination. Subhadramati is about to lead a second six-week course for women under 25 (six or seven women became mitras after the previous one). And Subhadramati and Jayaka will co-lead a ‘Sangha Intensive’ week this autumn – another first.
Women’s team This is continuing to build in strength and depth. As well as our weekly study group we have had two retreats at Vajrasana together.
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Men’s mitra Convenor’s Report
Our Sub25 activities have been highly successful; several men have asked to become mitras; furthermore, because they are mainly run by young GFR mitras, this can be a helpful activity, alongside many others, to help to train for ordination. They are mentored by Order members.
I’ve had a rich time over this past year. I was on the team for the ordination course at Guyhaloka in Spain from early April to the end of July. It was a privilege to see men emerge as Order members. It was especially enjoyable to see Amaladana ordained after years of training and preparation. He returned to start a pre-mitra group with Jnanadaya.
More men are attending ‘The Great Gathering’ weekends at Padmaloka. Totals for the three men’s weekend events in 2015,16,17,18 were 198, 203, 155 and 246. Requests received by Padmaloka from men to join the order in the same years were 98,87,46 and 70. Last year 6 men from the LBC requested ordination — 8.5% of all requests.
I am very grateful to Satyadasa who covered some of my work so well while I was away. When I arrived back there were many prospective mitras to meet. This last year we have had 24 new men mitras, including eleven on one evening — the most I have known.
The most significant thing that happened last year was Bhante’s death. When I met him on New Year’s Eve 2017, he told me that he was confident that the Order he’d founded would continue after his death. I often recall this when I’m meditating on him and it fills me with inspiration and metta. We spoke on several topics and parted in the traditional manner on New Year’s Eve by wishing each other ‘Happy New Year’.
To help the new mitras become aware of their possible next steps, I asked the two men’s communities above the LBC to host an evening exploring the theme ‘Why ask for ordination?’ They very happily hosted this event one evening. Some of those invited for ordination next year were present. It was an opportunity for the less experienced to mix with the more experienced, ask questions and just to come together in large numbers.
The next time I saw him was in the Amitabha shrine room at Adhisthana lying on a plinth in front of the shrine, days before his funeral. Bhante had well prepared us for his death. So far it seems that the Triratna Order and Community has taken his loss in its stride. Even though we no longer have his physical presence, it’s really important we keep his spirit alive.
Four men were invited on this year’s ordination course — Todd Donnelly, Alex Green, Barry Copping and Gus Miller. Gus opted to attend the 2020 course as the LBC office team could not afford to have more than two of its members away at the same time.
Peter Cogger, a well-known GFR mitra, also died recently. He had a large send-off at the LBC and will be sadly missed.
The three on the course this year will be ordained by local private preceptors: Todd by Maitreyabandhu, Alex by Vidyadaka and Barry by myself. This will be the first time that I will have ordained someone and will be the most significant thing I have done since my own Ordination in 2004. I will miss the AGM for that reason. The ordinations will certainly strengthen the LBC.
Yours in the Dharma,
Jayaka
Men’s Mitra Convenor April 2019
Mahamani and I hosted morning exploring the theme ‘Why ask to be a mitra?’ Men’s study groups generally seem to be well attended and the men’s intensive meditation retreat sells out earlier each year. Last year we started a Sub25 pre-mitra group with Prajnamanas and Maitreyabandhu. Dayanatha and Devamitra began a second earlier this year. I have come to regard the men’s groups as protocommunities. Most men may not be able to move into a men’s community, or work together, but they can meet once a week. Usually they enjoy the groups and these may help them see the possibility of living together.
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Breathing Space Report
XL Caitlin
The Breathing Space ‘Mindfulness for Health’ project at the London Buddhist Centre ran the following activities in the financial year 2018-2019: At the LBC: • 4 Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) courses for depression relapse prevention • 6 Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) courses for stress and anxiety • 1 ‘Living well with pain and illness’ course • 1 MBSR day retreat for carers • 48 MBSR drop-in classes for carers At Vajrasana: • 2 Mindfulness Retreats • 4 MBSR retreats for carers
National Lottery
This global insurance firm funded us £11,000 from their corporate social responsibility fund to run a six-month meditation group for carers in Newham.
We have recently won a bid to the national lottery to fund us just over £60,000 for the next 3 years to run 6 day retreats a year for carers at the LBC. This work will start in the next few months.
Teachers On behalf of the LBC and the Breathing Space project, I would like to thank the following teachers who have generously supported activities in the year 2018-19: Dayabhadra Jayaka Maitreyaraja Sanghasiha Srivati Suvarnajyoti
At the East Ham library in Newham: • Six-month kindness meditation drop in group for carers • 1 day retreat for carers
Sraddhagita Prajnamala Prajnadevi Satyadasa Tareshvari Luke Doherty
Nandaraja Kalyanavaca Priyavajra Satyavasin Garavavati Nigel Ward
Team
Corporate work
Maitreyabandhu and Suryagupta have both offered one-to-one mindfulness coaching to senior executives. We also ran two training days for both new and regular Breathing Space teachers, led by Maitreyabandhu.
In November 2018, after 4 years managing the project, Luke Doherty moved on to set up his own business. In the meantime the project has been managed by myself, with volunteer support from Matthew Daniel. Brain Hanley has also spent 3 months working with us developing the corporate side of the project, but is also moving on in mid-April. Finally, Sraddhagita is now running the weekly carers’ group with myself and Nigel Ward.
Funding
Volunteers
Mainstream Grant (MSG) funding from London Borough of Tower Hamlets.
Helping on Breathing Space events has provided many mitras and people interested in getting involved with an opportunity to give. We’d like to thank all those who have supported our activities over the last year.
Mindfulness taster sessions at G Adventures, the Investment Association and Nationwide.
Breathing Space has continued to receive funding from the London Borough of Tower Hamlets (LBTH) to offer 30 free places on MBA courses and 7 places on mindfulness retreats.
Developments and the future We’re planning to relaunch the project in November 2019 with the following developments: • A new website and bookings system • New branding and marketing strategy • New course materials and guided meditations • A new three-day mindfulness retreat with yoga • Promotional videos
‘Caring for the carers’ project In November 2018 the council contract was won by the Carers Centre in Brayford Square, so since then we have been negotiating a new contract. We’re delighted that the carers centre would like to fund an extra 30 places a year (double our previous contract) for carers to go on residential retreats at Vajrasana.
Charlie Byles April 2019
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