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The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland
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Black Mountain Zen Centre

  • Status

    Received: on time

  • Income

    £51.8K

  • Spending

    £64.2K

Charity no. 106141 Company no. 640489 Date registered. 05/06/2017

Public benefits

The direct benefits flowing from Objects A, B & D of the M&A fall under charitable purpose "The Advancement Of Religion" and include the provision of a Zen Centre in Northern Ireland Buddhist and Non Buddhist may practice together, and through the moral improvement in society which religion is thought to encourage as set out in case law. The

direct benefits flowing from Objects C & E of the M&A fall under charitable purpose "The Advancement Of Health Or The Saving Of Lives" and include the relief of human suffering via a positive contribution to the mental health or well being of participants through the practice of clinically proven mindfulness & meditation techniques & therapies. The direct benefits flowing from Objects F of the M&A fall under charitable purpose "...the promotion of religious or racial harmony or equality and diversity " and include educating the public about different faiths and their common ground by holding interfaith events. The benefit of the provision of a Zen Centre in Northern Ireland and the advancement of religion is demonstrated as the benefit is recognised in case law as encouraging moral improvement in society. The benefit of the relief of human suffering via a positive contribution to the mental health or well being of participants through the practice of clinically proven mindfulness & meditation techniques & therapies can be demonstrated through many published clinical studies in the US and the UK. The benefits of educating the public about different faiths and their common ground by holding interfaith events can be demonstrated though the lessening of conflict and elimination of discrimination between buddhists, protestants, catholics and people of other faiths in Northern Ireland. Zen Centre provides a safe space for different communities in Northern Ireland to come together on neutral ground to practice together. There is no harm arising from any of the purposes. The general public in Northern Ireland are the charity’s beneficiaries. There is no private benefit flowing from any of the purposes.

What your organisation does

• BMZC supports a teacher in the Shunryu Suzuki lineage, Ryushin Paul Haller Roshi, who provides support for Soto Zen Buddhism in Northern Ireland, both to individuals & groups, and ensures growth of Shunryu Suzuki’s lineage in Northern Ireland • BMZC has set up and runs city centre premises in Belfast offering 8+ meditation sessions per week, plus

longer retreats • BMZC supports two to three residential retreats in Northern Ireland at Benburb Priory or other venues for practitioners from across Northern Ireland, rest of the UK and beyond on a donation only basis to assist people on low incomes • BMZC provides instruction and advice for beginners to Soto Zen zazen meditation practice in Belfast and beyond. • BMZC supports and develops the Zen practice of experienced students from across Northern Ireland • BMZC supports Soto Zen groups across Northern Ireland • BMZC brings noted UK & international teachers, poets & writers to Northern Ireland • BMZC supports Soto Zen Buddhism in Ireland (and beyond) through our website offering advice & support to individuals & groups • BMZC provides meditation equipment e.g. mats & cushions to associated groups • BMZC offers outreach work including talks & meditation sessions for school students & conferences, supports practitioners working in prisons and with local community projects in Belfast • BMZC represents Zen Buddhism at multifaith events in Belfast & across Northern Ireland • BMZC promotes the practice of mindfulness as an aide to mental, physical and emotional health and well being. • BMZC offers Zen & Recovery groups for those experiencing addiction issues.

The charity’s classifications

  • The advancement of education
  • The advancement of religion
  • The advancement of citizenship or community development
  • The advancement of human rights, conflict resolution or reconciliation or the promotion of religious or racial harmony or equality and diversity

Who the charity helps

  • Addictions (drug/solvent/alcohol abuse)
  • Adult training
  • General public
  • Mental health
  • Voluntary and community sector

How the charity works

  • Cross-border/cross-community
  • Education/training
  • Human rights/equality
  • Medical/health/sickness
  • Religious activities

Charity accounts & reports for financial year end 31 March 2024

Independent examiners report Charity accounts Trustee annual report

Charity accounts & reports for financial year end 31 March 2023

Independent examiners report Charity accounts Trustee annual report

Charity accounts & reports for financial year end 31 March 2021

Independent examiners report Charity accounts Trustee annual report

Charitable purposes

The Company’s objects are specifically restricted to the promotion of Zen Buddhism and the promotion of religious harmony and the promotion of the benefit of Northern Ireland (hereinafter described as "the area of benefit") without distinction of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, nationality, ethnic identity, political or religious opinion, by associating the statutory authorities, community and voluntary organisations and the inhabitants in a common effort to provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation or other leisure-time occupation, with the object of improving the conditions of life for the benefit of the inhabitants and in particular: (a) to provide, maintain and manage a Zen educational resource centre and facility for the use of the inhabitants for activities promoted or facilitated by the Company including use for meetings, lectures, classes and other forms of recreational and leisure-time occupation with the object of improving the conditions of life for the said inhabitants; (b) to promote the Buddhist faith and advance the education of the public in the study, instruction, teaching and practice of Zen Buddhism and to advance the knowledge of the teachings of Shunryu Suzuki Roshi for the benefit of the public; (c) to promote good health for the public benefit in particular but not exclusively through the use of zen meditation, natural healing and zen meditation techniques; (d) to promote peace and communication between the people in the area of benefit so as to enable them to grow through discussion, study, mindfulness and zen meditation; (e) to promote awareness among people in the area of benefit of holistic and complementary therapies and the range of, and, the application of holistic and complementary therapies; (f) to promote an understanding of racial, religious and cultural harmony, equality and diversity for the public benefit through the promotion of activities to foster knowledge and mutual understanding between people from diverse backgrounds, religious faiths and racial groups in order to promote good relations; (g) to advance any other exclusively charitable purpose as the directors, may from time to time, decide in accordance with the law of charity.

Governing document

Memorandum and Articles

Other name


  • 11 Trustees
  • 0 Employees
  • 5 Volunteers

Contact details

Public address

  • Djinn Gallagher, Black Mountain Zen Centre, Cromac Regeneration Initiative, 165 Donegall Pass, Belfast, BT7 1DT

Trustee board

Trustee
Mr Frank Liddy
Mr Richard Hall
Mr Paul Haller
Mr Paul Mccrory
Mr Stephen Williamson
Mr Paul Tohill
Djinn Gallagher
Jonny Nixon
Mary Price
Mr Michael O'keefe
Clare Mcfadden

List of regions

  • In Northern Ireland
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