UK Registered Charity No. 1204856
Theravāda Monastery Development Project
A Noble Mission
The Oxford Buddhist Society (OBS) was founded to preserve and share the timeless wisdom of Theravāda Buddhism for the benefit of all. Guided by the core principles of Pariyatti (study), Paṭipatti (practice), and Paṭivedha (realisation), our mission is to nurture inner peace and spiritual well-being in the wider community. In 2025, we are entering an important new chapter: to establish a Theravāda monastery before the end of the Rains Retreat (Vassa), in honour of Reverend Wadigala Samitharathana’s 10th Vassa since Higher Ordination. Over the past two years, OBS has offered free mindfulness meditation sessions, seasonal retreats, and events marking Vesak and Poson Poya. We have hosted speakers from the University of Oxford, local monasteries, and temples, and collaborated with groups such as the Oxford Postgraduate Society and Existential Mindfulness Society. With our growing community and regular biweekly gatherings at Seacourt Hall, it is now time to find a permanent home to support and expand this important work.
An Ideal Monastery
We endeavour to find a suitable environment that reflects the core values of the noble mission of OBS. We envision a peaceful, welcoming monastery in the heart of Oxford—with accessible transport links and parking—where monastics and laypeople alike can gather to:
🍃Attend regular mindfulness meditation sessions,
🍃Cultivate spiritual friendship (kalyāṇamittatā) and open discussions,
🍃Access a free, non-judgemental space for personal and mental well-being,
🍃Participate in Dhamma talks, retreats, chanting, and community outreach,
🍃Deepen understanding through study, reflection, and practice.
As of this moment, we have found an ideal place that resembles what we seek for establishing the Oxford Centre of Theravāda Buddhism. Therefore, to actualise the aim of this noble mission, we kindly ask for your generous support, thriving compassion and loving-kindness.
Ways to Support Us
There are many ways by which you can support our noble mission:
Donations - all donations of any amount are highly appreciated and valued. Please see below for the ways in which you can donate.
Spread of Word - we hope for as many people to engage in this noble deed. One way of spreading the word about our noble mission is to 'download a letter' regarding all key information about our project and to send this to anyone who may be keen to get involved.
Contact us - if you would like more information about our project, you may speak to a member of our development committee by filling out a 'contact us' form.
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Name: Oxford Buddhist Society
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Bank: Barclays Bank PLC
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Account Number: 73245551
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Sort Code: 20-65-20
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Reference: TMD + 'First Name'
Donate by Bank Transfer
If you wish to make a direct donation to our bank account, please use the following details below:
Donate by GoFundMe
If you wish to make an online donation, please head over to our GoFundMe page, by clicking on the button below.
Donate by Standing Order
To set up a regular donation via standing order, please arrange this directly through your bank or online banking using the details provided under 'donate by bank transfer'
Once you have made a bank transfer or completed standing order form, please send a copy of receipt/form to our email address at: info@oxfordbuddhistsociety.org
