Council

Embedded within the FWBO Edinburgh Sangha is a structure designed to promote the smooth running of the Centre and the wellbeing of the Sangha. There are three elements:- 

 1. FWBO Edinburgh, a registered charity (SC 017133). It is legally and financially independent of other FWBO Centres and institutions. At the same time, there is some emphasis on strong connections with the Western Buddhist Order (WBO) and Friends of the Western Buddhist Order (FWBO) from which it arose. These connections are fostered by formal means (see 2 below) and informally.

 2. The Council of FWBO Edinburgh. This body governs FWBO Edinburgh, existing to ensure that it runs in accordance with Buddhist principles and complies with relevant laws and regulations. It also has responsibility for ensuring clear financial records are kept as required by OSCAR, the Scottish Charities regulator. The Council is bound by a constitution that is available for anyone to see on request, as are the Annual Report and Accounts. It meets regularly throughout the year, membership consisting of Order Members, currently 6 in number: Vajrahridaya (Chair), Kalyanavacca, Amitasubha (Treasurer), Sasanaratna, Danasara (Secretary), and Dassini. A network of contact and support with the wider Order is maintained by the Chairman’s membership of the European Chairs’ Assembly and a Regional Chairs’ Support Group. Also, Dassini was invited to become a Trustee in her capacity as Chairwoman of the Glasgow Buddhist Centre, as was Viryadevi, her predecessor. It has proved helpful to have a Council member who can bring a different perspective from being outside the local situation.

 3. Staff supported financially by FWBO Edinburgh. Currently one person, Vajrahridaya, is employed by the Trust in his capacity as Centre Director (the Chair, in common with all Trustees, serves in a voluntary capacity).

 NB: The Centre and FWBO Edinburgh could not operate without generous voluntary contributions of time and energy on the part of many people.