The Aukana Trust

The Aukana Trust is a UK-based Buddhist registered charity (charity number 326938) located in Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, England. The Trust was established in 1980 by co-founders Alan and Jacqui James to provide practical Buddhist teaching and training suited to contemporary Western practitioners. Its spiritual head since 2006 has been Paul Harris, who guides the organization's teachings and activities.

Mission and Activities

The Aukana Trust's core mission is to offer instruction in the teachings of the Buddha. This ranges from introductory evening classes to full-time monastic training. It operates two monasteries—one for monks and one for nuns—as well as a meditation retreat centre known as the House of Inner Tranquillity. These facilities focus on providing a practical and accessible approach to Buddhism, stripping away cultural and ritualistic accretions to present the Buddha’s path to enlightenment in a clear and applicable manner for modern Westerners.

The Trust emphasizes traditional Buddhist training in three principal aspects:

• Sīla (control of personal conduct)
• Samādhi (control of mind)
• Paññā (development of wisdom)

Key practices include insight meditation (vipassanā) and loving-kindness (mettā), alongside generosity and service. The Trust also promotes a strong theoretical understanding through study of the Pāli Canon, the Buddha’s original discourses.

Governance

The Aukana Trust is governed by a board of six trustees responsible for overseeing the charity’s management and administration. As of recent records, the trustees include Chair Mr. Dave Gilbert, spiritual head Paul Harris, and others with diverse backgrounds. The organization operates under policies that ensure financial controls, safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries, complaints handling, and reserve management.

Community and Impact

The Aukana Trust serves the general public and mankind by offering accessible Buddhist teachings that support spiritual development and enlightenment, targeting those seeking a direct and authentic practice. Its facilities and instruction support both newcomers to Buddhism and those pursuing deeper monastic training.

Summary

• Established: 1980
• Location: Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, England
• Charity Number: 326938
• Focus: Buddhist teaching, meditation practice, monastic training
• Facilities: Two monasteries and one meditation retreat centre
• Key Practices: Sīla, Samādhi, Paññā, Vipassanā meditation, Mettā
• Governance: Six trustees including spiritual head Paul Harris

The Aukana Trust continues to be a significant resource for those in the UK and beyond seeking a practical and authentic path to Buddhist enlightenment.[1][2][5]

[1] https://www.aukana.org.uk [2] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/326938 [3] https://aukana.org.uk/store/index.php?route=information%2Finformation&information_id=4 [4] https://www.totalgiving.co.uk/charity/the-aukana-trust [5] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/326938/full-print