Buddhist Council of NSW Working for the Buddhist Community

ANNUAL REPORT 2 0 1 5

ANNUAL REPORT 2 0 1 5 2 / BUDDHIST COUNCIL OF NSW

A message from our CHAIRMAN Flickr: Megan Hansen

Welcome to the Buddhist Council of question: what does the community New South Wales annual report for need? To which we can answer, 2015. Our role is to help individuals engaging our youth, or helping the and organisations in the Buddhist elderly. This is why we simplified our community. For example, we help motto to “Working for the Buddhist anyone who is new to to community”. find a Buddhist centre that fulfils their Please spread the word that we have needs. Our website has an event portal interesting and fulfilling community which lists upcoming Buddhist events projects. If you don’t have time to across Australia. Our training unit helps volunteer, your donation means that people to prepare for volunteering many people and Buddhist centres are in the community. And of course, helped in the community – we call this our programs in schools, hospitals the donation multiplier. and prisons provide meaningful I would like to recognise the volunteering opportunities. significant contribution of Brent For Buddhist organisations, we Carswell who retired this year after four provide free advice, internet promotion active years on the board. Brent helped “ for events, low cost insurance, letters in many areas, particularly our website Our work is all about of support (e.g. visas, development and branding. I sincerely thank our bringing the Buddhist applications), fundraising support, and member organisations, our dedicated community together to training on how to run a Buddhist and hardworking staff, our many collaborate and share centre. volunteers, our generous donors, our resources. Our work is all about bringing friends and supporters and my fellow the Buddhist community together directors on the board. ” to collaborate and share resources. I hope you enjoy this annual report. Although we represent the Buddhist community to government, media Yours in the , outlets and other religions, we don’t Brian White tell anyone what to do. We ask the President and Chairman BUDDHIST COUNCIL OF NSW / 3

A message from our GENERAL MANAGER Flickr: Maks Karochkin Flickr: Maks

We are so grateful for the constant and Ayya Phalayani in 2015. help from volunteers while A volunteer with us for a short understanding that the nature of a period completed a project of volunteer-run organisation means auditing our office processes which people come and go, as life situations was enormously helpful. change. In June, our AGM was held at This year, we had a solid core team member group Dharma Drum coming in each week to support the Mountain, and we combined this with community programs in Chaplaincy, a forum on technology and education. Special Religious Education, and We heard from a range of speakers, Member Help, and to carry out who provide education to all age communications and day-to-day ranges, and it was great to engage finance operations. In addition, some with the community. general volunteers kept it all running A major project carried out in last smoothly. part of 2015 was the revamp of our Some of our volunteers moved website. Considerable time was spent on as the year ended, to other editing current content and creating “ experiences, and a couple to their first new content, and we believe the fresh This year, we had a solid full-time jobs. We wish them all well look is visually more attractive and core team coming in and were happy to have shared the also simpler to navigate. We’re looking each week to support the path with them. forward to launching it as 2016 begins! community programs As an ongoing thank you to our wonderful volunteers we regularly invite guests to give a talk over lunch Metta, ” during the year and we were blessed Anita Lau to have visits from Rev. Heng Sure, General Manager 4 / BUDDHIST COUNCIL OF NSW

Buddhist COMMUNITY SERVICE

SPECIAL RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

The Buddhist Council provides over 60 Special Religious and Life Skills” that the Buddha taught so that they can better Education (SRE) teachers to approximately the same number manage their lives in what is a busy and stress-filled world for of schools around NSW. Most are in primary schools. many. By empowering them with these tools at an early age, We are very grateful to all the SRE teachers who give their it is hoped that we will be giving them solid foundations for time generously to share the Dharma with students. It is a the future. great gift they give to our young people. We are also very grateful to the donors for their support so we can continue this valuable program. We want the students to learn “Values You do not have to be 60 62 90 + TEACHERS SCHOOLS SCHOOLS a teacher to be part of ON WAIT-LIST the SRE program.

Majority of our prison CHAPLAINCY chaplains are women.

The Buddhist Council has a modest-sized yet strong team of dedicated chaplains ranging from regular chaplains who commit their time to visit hospitals and prisons to emergency HOSPITAL CHAPLAINS response chaplains who are on-call. They complete a range of activities to suit the 9 Lay organisation, the people they visit and the type of caring needed. Some will hold guided 11 2 Ordained meditation sessions or be a non-judgemental listening ear. Primarily, they offer support and PRISON CHAPLAINS their presence to those who are going through challenging times. We actively seek interest 4 from those in the community who are considering becoming a prison chaplain. In 2016 Lay 6 2 Ordained and beyond, we aim to establish similar services for aged care facilities across the state.

TRAINING UNIT

Special Religious Education Training General Interest WORKSHOPS WORKSHOPS 1.5-day training courses catered for those Open to the public, these short workshops 3 interested in ways to connect young 5 gave information to people who wanted to children with the Buddha’s teachings. learn about Buddhism and practical ways to apply this in daily life.

Buddhist Organisation Upskill Chaplaincy WORKSHOPS WORKSHOP Member organisations new and established For those interested in providing spiritual 2 have benefited from our workshops that 1 care to those facing challenging times, we help member groups with governance, ran a 5-day accredited training program in organisational skills and more. Clinical Pastoral Education. BUDDHIST COUNCIL OF NSW / 5

O u r FINANCIALS 5 YEAR FINANCIAL SUMMARY Flickr: tonko43

SURPLUS $ $ $ $ $ This year, the Buddhist Council has 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 generated a surplus of $17,950. Income 143,534 122,267 146,924 172,450 186,084 REVENUE Total revenue for 2015 was $186,084 Expenses 131,711 120,961 132,538 153,760 168,134 which was an 8% increase from last year (2014: $172,450). This slight increase Operating Surplus 11,823 1,306 14,386 18,690 17,950 came mainly from the growing support Increase in Members’ 11,823 1,306 14,386 18,690 17,950 from the community for our education programs. Funds

EXPENSES Total Members’ Funds 93,791 95,097 109,483 128,173 146,123 Expenses for 2015 totalled $168,134 which was again slightly higher than last year (9% increase). This reflected REVENUE EXPENSES growth of our staff providing increased support to the community and our 8% 9% member organisations. 5%

FINANCIAL POSITION The Buddhist Council’s financial 28% 19% position improved by $17,950 which is attributed to the surplus in 2015. 58% 1% 61% The five-year trend shows a 6% strengthening financial position which 5% enables more support to member organisations and the community.

* A full set of 2015 Financial Statements and the Chaplaincy Donations Chaplaincy Other Admin Costs Auditor’s Statement have been published. Please Education (SRE) Training Education (SRE) Training contact our office for a copy Interest Personnel 6 / BUDDHIST COUNCIL OF NSW

O u r GOVERNANCE Flickr: Andrea Kirkby

MEETINGS

Meetings attended during 2015 Board Role Change in 2015

Brian White 3 President - Benjamin Webster 3 Secretary - Ranmal Samarawickrama 3 Director - Brent Carswell 2 Director Retired from board Les Tscherne 2 Director - Lianne Ngo 3 Director Joined board Gawaine Powell-Davies 2 Director Joined board

REVIEW Using experience in assisting member organisations over the years, the Buddhist Council has developed an assessment method which indicates the level of attainment on a number of governance criteria. This assessment is the foundation of the governance training offered by our training unit to help member organisations. The attainment is at four levels: Non-compliant (no stars), Compliant (1 star), Functioning (2 stars) and Flourishing (3 stars).

Category Attainment Level Comment Governing Body +++  -based board Governance +++ Governing body achieves good governance Constitution ++ Incorporated with constitution modified to support the organisation Clear Purpose ++ Clear objects in constitution understood by core team, volunteers, staff & members Solvency ++ Can pay all debts that are due in next 12 months Financial Management +++ Independent audit Reporting Internal +++ Performance Based Annual Report Reporting External +++ Publicly accessible annual report (website) Performance Monitoring ++ Some Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) Compliance ++ Register for GST, submit BAS, claim GST credits External Relationships +++ Good relationships with Local government, neighbours and local community Clear Direction ++ Strategic direction agreed and documented Risk Management ++ Key risks understood and addressed by governing body BUDDHIST COUNCIL OF NSW / 7

O u r MEMBERS Flickr: Edwin Lee

AABCAP (Australian Association of Buddhist Drogmi Buddhist Institute Rigpa Fellowship Inc. Counsellors and Psychotherapists Inc.) Community of Namgyalgar Sakya Tharpa Ling Adeikhtan Buddhist Missionary Company (Aust) Golden Wheel Buddhist Association Santi Forest Monastery Inc. Aloka Community Inc. Hongwanji Buddhist Mission of Australia Sasana Daja Burmese Temple Amitabha Buddhist Association of NSW Inc. Huayen Buddhist Community of Australia Inc Siangthum Phrapotiyan Incorporated Amitabha Foundation (Australia) Indonesian Buddhist Society of NSW Siddhartha’s Intent Australia AMRTA Monastery International Cham Shan Temple Silky Oak An Khong Association Inc Kadam Sharawa Institute Inc Sri Lankan Buddhist Vihara Association Association of Engaged Buddhists Kalyanamitra & Foundation Sunnataram Forest Monastery Australian Buddhist Mission Kampuchea Krom Cultural Centre Inc. Supporters of Homeless Buddhist Monks NSW Australian Chinese Buddhist Society Karma Dro Phan Ling Institute Sydney Burmese Buddhist Vihara Inc. Australian Chinese Pure Land Buddhist Association Karma Samten Choeling Inc. Sydney Insight Meditators (Sydney) Inc. (ACPLBA) Karma Yiwong Samten Ling Buddhist Centre Inc. Sydney Meditation Centre Australian Institute of Buddhist Learning and Kempsey Group Sydney Zen Centre Practice Khachodling Inc. Tashi Choling Buddhist Institute Australian Institute of Tibetan Healing Practices Khmer Krom & Aust Buddhist Assoc Thai Buddhist Student Association Bangladesh Bouddha Samiti Koyasan Shingon Mission Of Australia Tharpa Choeling Inc Barom Kagyu Chodrak Drupju Chuling Kuan Yin The Australian Contemplative Observatory Bhante Sujato in Sydney Group Kunsang Yeshe Retreat Centre Inc. The Jongbopsa Society Blue Mountains Insight Meditation Centre (Buddha Kwan Um Sa The Quan Am Thien Tinh Buddhist Charitable Sasana Association of Australia) Kwan Yin Kur Temple (Wong Sin Tai) Association Inc Blue Padma Services Inc. Kyegu Buddhist Institute The Vinh Nghiem Buddhist and Bluegum Lao Buddhist Society of NSW Charitable Soc. Bodhi Books & Gifts Liberation Prison Project Australia Ltd Buddhist Association of Australia Inc. Bodhikusuma Buddhist & Meditation Centre Lin Yim Buddhist Institute Tibetan Buddhist Society (Sydney) Buddha’s Light International Assoc of Aust Inc Ling Yen Mountain Temple (Australia) Tinh Xa Minh Dang Quang Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu-Chi Foundation Macquarie University Buddhist Association Triratna Buddhist Community (Sydney) Inc. Aust Maha Bodhi Monastery Unibodhi-University of Sydney Buddhist Society Buddhist Peace Fellowship (Sydney) / Kalyana Mitta Mahamakut Buddharangsee Stanmore Inc. Unified Vietnamese Buddhist Congregation of A-NZ Sangha Mahamevnawa Monastery & Meditation University Buddhist Education Foundation Bul-Kwang Meditation Institute Centre of Sydney UTS Buddhist Meditation Society Bup Bo Temple Man Su Vihara Institute Inc. Cambodian Buddhist Society Inc of NSW Buddhist Centre Inc Vien Giac Temple Chagdud Gonpa Australia Metta Centre Incorporated Wat Buddha Dhamma Foundation Ltd Chan Tam True Mind Mitra - Youth Buddhist Network Wat Buddhalavarn Inc Dhammaduta Buddhist Association of Australia Mukyoho Wat Buddharangsee Dhammaduta Buddhist Asssociation (Coffs Nan Tien Temple Wat Buddhavongsa-Yaram Harbour) No Problems Publishing Inc. Wat Dhamma Sameakky Dhammaduta Foundation Incorporated Open Way Zen Centre Wat Lao Buddhametta Dhammakaya International Society of Aust Pal Buddhist School Wat Pa Buddharangsee Dharma Drum Mountain Sydney Phuoc Hau Temple Well-Aware-Ness Psychology DharmaCloud Pointing Out Australia Wisdom Song Diamond Cutter Buddhist Study Centre Prajna Monastery Australia Inc. Won Buddhism of Australia Diamondway Buddhism Sydney Prasarn Bun Prasarn Jai Group Won Buddhism of Gosford Assoc Inc, Ding Hui Monastery Recollective Awareness (Aust) Zen Open Circle Inc Buddhist Council of NSW Working for the Buddhist Community

The Buddhist Council of NSW logo is made up of of the lotus flower. The petals in grey, maroon and a number of symbols that are meaningful to the earth, are the colours of the sangha robes found in all Buddhist community we serve. The central wheel is a Buddhist traditions. Dharmacakra, which is set in front of a three-coloured In Buddhism, the lotus plant represents all sentient lotus flower backdrop. beings and their inherent Buddha nature. As lotuses The Dharmacakra represents the Dharma wheel grow in the muddy waters, so do we, in samsara. When which began turning when the Buddha gave his the lotus matures, it rises above the mud, blooming first teaching after enlightenment. The eight spokes into beautiful, fragrant flowers. We too, have an represent each element of the Eightfold Path which inherent potential to transcend suffering into perfect form the path to enlightenment, expounded in this enlightenment, by growing wisdom and compassion first teaching. In the background are the three petals through practice.

OUR FOUR PILLARS OF ACTIVITY

MEMBER HELP Supporting our members with: Ėĺ Advice and information Ėĺ Low cost insurance Ėĺ Representation to government

BUDDHIST EDUCATION Teaching the application of the Dharma through: Ėĺ Special Religious Education (weekly Buddhist classes in government schools) Ėĺ Training Unit

BUDDHIST CARE Providing Care and Support to those in need through: Ėĺ Hospital Chaplaincy Ėĺ Prison Chaplaincy Ėĺ Programs in nursing homes

BUDDHIST CONNECTION Reaching out through the internet and social media by: Ėĺ Developing and publishing useful information Ėĺ Organising community projects and events Ėĺ Engaging in public relations, linking with the government, media and other interfaith organisations

The Buddhist Council of NSW does not receive government grants. We depend on donations from the community.

BUDDHIST COUNCIL OF NSW PO Box 593, Crows Nest NSW 1585 Sydney Australia t: (02) 9966 8893 e: [email protected] www.buddhistconnection.org