Should we open out hearts and minds and do more?
Some interesting sites
- Buddhism & Environmental Protection
- Earth Sangha
- An Ethical Approach to Environment Protection
- Dharma Gaia
- Forest Sangha
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“My heart, thus knowing, thus seeing, was released from the fermentation of sensuality, released from the fermentation of becoming, released from the fermentation of ignorance. With release, there was the knowledge, 'Released.' I discerned that 'Birth is ended, the holy life fulfilled, the task done. There is nothing further for this world.' ”
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A Brief Report from the 2009 International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB) Conference
(Chiangmai, Nov 10-17, 2009)
The International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB) began in February 1989 in Siam (Thailand) at a conference of 36 concerned ordained and lay people from 11 countries organized by Sulak Sivaraksa and other thinkers and social activists Buddhists and non-Buddhists.
INEB is an organization that has firm confidence in compassion, non-violence and co-existence as revealed by The Buddha. Confrontation with suffering, analysis and actions to put out suffering, particularly in the modern world context is the core mission. The issues of interest revolve around integration of spirituality and social activities
The network expanded through out years and included members - individuals and organizations - from more than 20 countries from Asia, Europe, America and Australia. Out of this diversity, an understanding of engaged Buddhism has emerged which integrates the practice of Buddhism with social action for a healthy, just and peaceful world. This commitment to global community based on the universal truths of wisdom and compassion guides all of our activities. INEB's areas of concern have centered on peace, human rights, gender issues, spirituality based development, diversity tolerance and interfaith dialogue.
From November 10-17. 2009, INEB celebrated it’s 20th Anniversary with the Engaged Buddhist Festival of Peace and Social Transformation in Chaingmai, Siam (Thailand).
The Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia (BMSM) ha d 4 members attended the INEB Conference and Anniversary Celebrations. They were:
Bro Vidyananda K V Soon, Sis Adeline Woon Lai Shan, Bro Mark Low (all from BMSM Shah Alam) and Bro Tan Jong Shyan (from BMSM Kajang). Bro Soon has been involved in INEB in its early years from its inception.
(At KLIA’s LCCT. from left: Bro Vidyananda K V Soon, Bro Tan Jong Shyan, Sis Adeline Woon, Bro Mark Low)
Meditation Retreat (Nov 10-12)
The Anniversary started off very aptly with a meditation retreat held that International Meditation Center of the Mahachulalongkronrajavidyalaya University (IMC-MCU). It was a 3-day retreat lead by Dharmacari Lokamitra of the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order. It was somewhat a light retreat with focus on the grounding on the practice of meditation and the building and re-kindling of spiritual friendship. In the retreat, the participants discussed and reflected on the the following topics:
a. The original context of the Sangha in contemporary multi-cultural context
b. Kalyana-mitra (Spiritual friendship)
There were all also group sharing sessions related to the above.
Dharmacari Lokamitra conducting a session at the backdrop is the main shrine hall of the International Meditation Center.
INEB Conference (Nov 13-15)
As soon the retreat was over, the Conference proper went on the way. The Conference was attended by over 200 participants from Buddhist organizations from different parts of the world. There were representatives from Thailand, Burma, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, India, Bhutan, Nepal, Ladakh, Tibet, Europe, South Africa, Australia, and the U.S. The theme of the conference was: Engaged Buddhism: Past, Present and Future Towards a Turning Point in Buddhist Identity and Community.
In the conference we heard one of the key founders of INEB, Sulak Sivaraksa, present the keynote address where he shared INEB’s vision and strategic direction. Throughout the conference, participants heard very moving and inspiring accounts of how lives and have been transformed when Buddhism became truly engaged in our hearts, our communities and our societies. We also heard accounts of how lives continue to be mired in dukkha and how efforts continue to be provided. Some of the other topics covered in the conference by way of paper presentations and group discussions were:
a. Economics and development – the need to search for a Buddhist perspective of economics.
b. Environment justice, what some members are doing and how that would affect our lives.
c. The issues and challenges of gender biases and how re-visioning is greatly needed.
There were also separate group that talked discussed about, among other things, Alternative Education, Gender and the Environment. There were also specific country and regional discussions.
A section of the participants during the conference
The conference ended on Nov 15 with a Buddhist Culture of Peace Festival held at Wat Suandok in the evening. It was a spiritual as well as cultural event aimed at articulating the value of peace – within and without.
The Festival of Peace at Wat Suandok (Chaingmai)
Overall the conference was special as there was as much focus on individual, inward transformation as social transformation – emphasizing the importance of grounding onto the practice of meditation.
International Alms Round (Nov 16)
On the following day, monks, nuns, novices and ordained people from all traditions participated in an international alms round to collect medical supplies to be passed to refugees and those in need of such supplies and not able to access them. Over USD1000 worth of medical supplies were collected and shall be distributed to refugees along the Thai-Myanmar border as well as other areas of need.
Members of the public prepared medical supplies
(Bikkhuni Dhammananda of the Theravada tradition and Rev Alan Senauke of the Soto Zen tradition)
(Thai Novices)
(Japanese monk)
The rest of the day and the following morning say a series of public forums on “Buddhist Culture of Peace and social Justice.
Peace Walk (Nov 17)
The last and final day of the festival saw the chanting of the Uppapata Santi Gatha by 200 monks and nuns of all traditions and peace walk that started from Buddhasathan to the Tha Phae Gate. Several hundred monks, nuns and lay people walked peacefully which drew a lot of attention from the general public.
At the Tha Phae Gate the following conference statement was read out. A fitting conclusion to INEB’s 20th anniversary conference and festival of Peace.
INEB CONFERENCE STATEMENT
This week in Chiang Mai the International Network of Engaged Buddhists celebrated its 20th anniversary with a successful conference dedicated to peace and social transformation. As kalyanamitta, more than two hundred socially engaged Buddhists from twenty-five countries – from Asia and the Pacific region, from North America and Europe – joined together for study, dialogue, and dharma practice, committing ourselves to work for peace.
We affirm our deep belief that the suffering of society – war, racism, poverty, gender oppression, destruction of the environment, and cultural degradation – can be transformed into liberation for all beings.
We affirm and have seen ourselves that peace can arise from even the fiercest of conflicts.
Together we confronted critical concerns that affect life on this precious and fragile planet:
• the intertwined disasters of consumerism and environmental destruction;
• the vital need to empower and educate young people;
• the pervasive oppression of women, and all gay-lesbian-bisexual-transgendered men & women;
• the denial of human rights and meaningful livelihood;
• the need to preserve Buddhism and all traditional culture and religion;
• and the obscenity of war, civil strife, and violence.
These concerns, wherever they arise in the world are our concerns. They are close to our hearts. In the Buddha's way and in the way of every great religion, we know that we must meet this suffering not with faith alone, but with all our efforts and action day by day.
— 17 November 2009
Conclusion & Action Plan
The entire event was overall inspirational and the recognition that the message of Buddhism needs to be more engaged needs to be developed. Malaysia’s representative have committed to develop and educate a core group to explore this further and BMSM Shah Alam has committed to lead this.
With metta
Vidyananda K V Soon
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