Donations

Our community is based on dāna, the Buddhist principle of generosity. As part of spreading the Buddha's teachings, we think it's important that we run our centre on the basis of dāna and aim to inspire a culture of giving.

We charge minimal amounts for our activities which we're able to do because so many people generously give money and time to establish and maintain everything we enjoy at the Sydney Buddhist Centre.

Sydney Buddhist Centre and Vijayaloka Buddhist Retreat Centre are operated as one charity registered with the ACNC as Triratna Buddhist Community (Sydney) Incorporated.

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What It Costs

Monthly costs based on spending from our financial year ending June 2023 (3 sf).
$5,080
Staff

While most of our classes, courses and retreats are run by volunteers who aren't paid for the work they do, we employ a small team to handle administration, bookkeeping, cleaning, and some maintenance.

$3,590
Insurances, legal, and accountancy costs

Everything needed to be operating such as insurances, fees for fire and health safety checks, and accounting costs.

$2,610
Building works, repairs and maintenance

Includes everything needed to keep the centre and Vijayaloka in good working order and looking beautiful. This includes repairs, building improvements, pest control and grounds maintenance.

$1,690
Utilities

Includes all utilities like electricity, gas, garbage disposal, telephone, internet, etc. for both Sydney Buddhist Centre and Vijayaloka.

$759
Interest

While both our buildings are owned by us, only Vijayaloka is owned outright. This is the interest on our loan for the Sydney Buddhist Centre building, and the solar panels that power it.

$496
Kitchen, office and shrine keeping supplies

Includes all our tea and biscuits, cleaning supplies, shrine keeping supplies like flowers, candles and incense, and office stationary and printing costs. Doesn't include retreat food which we take off retreat income.

$140
Advertising

Includes both online and print advertising which has proven effective for introducing new people to our activities.

Where It Comes From

The majority of our income comes from two sources: the generosity of people who come to the centre who donate either at classes or by regular monthly donations, and income from retreats at Vijayaloka.

We also make additional income from running courses, and from renting out the flat above the centre, and a small amount from bookshops sales and interest.

2023 2022 2021 2020 2019
Donations 91409.33 98081.61 93601.59 125009.1 74959.24
Retreat Profit 156125.14 96650.95 118259.6 46019.65 102503.82
Hire-out & Rent 52560.83 48695.57 51064.55 47320.87 62544.18
Courses 3575 2149.82 6092.08 10002.23 26111.85
Other (including Government COVID support) 2015.57 33836.72 54085.96 33866.64 4981.28
Income from our financial years ending June each year.

How You Can Help

Donations to the Sydney Buddhist Centre are very gratefully accepted. This helps us as a community to continue to offer our ongoing activities, including meditation instruction and encouragement to lead a creative and ethical life.

Donate by Bank Transfer, Card or PayPal

If you would like to provide support the best way to help is by giving a monthly standing donation. You can set this up on our donate page.

Volunteering

There are many ways of practising generosity beyond giving financially. Many people in our community give their time and skills appropriate to their individual circumstances. If you would like to be involved or to know more, please contact us or talk to Cittamaya at the centre.