Sustenance Appeal by the Belfast Meditation Centre
The Buddhist Channel, July 4, 2005
Belfast, Northern Ireland -- Since the Belfast Meditation Centre opened only eight months ago, it has offered opportunities to meditate at least once every day in the zendo, as well as a night to discuss the teachings of the Buddha, and a full day of practice each month.
The centre has been able to meet other practitioners socially due to the allocation of additional space, which includes kitchen facilities. The centre has a free lending library for books, recorded talks and a state of the art computer equipment which has just been installed, paid for by a grant.
However, all these needs money to keep going. At the moment, the centre receives £300 a month through standing orders set up by members of the sangha. They have made a commitment of £20 or more each month. Such commitment enables them to attend any meditation without making a donation (except the full day of practice). In fact, a standing order of £20 may actually be cheaper than making a donation. It would certainly be a way of supporting the growth of the practice in Belfast.
To run itself, the centre needs an income of at least £500 a month. The centre's aim is to try to reach this target by the first anniversary of opening, the 29th September 2005. A steady income would guarantee our financial security, and hence ensure that it won?t have to close down and revert to hiring a room twice a week with nowhere to meet with other practitioners.
The centre will also need additional funds if it wants to develop towards having a resident teacher and make the Dharma more widely available.
If you are interested in opening a standing order, please pick up a form next time you are in the centre, or click on any of the links below:
More info on Belfast Meditation Centre here:
http://www.belfastmeditationcentre.org/
To donate to Black Mountain Mindfulness Centre, click here