International Buddhist Confederation

International Buddhist Confederation is a global Buddhist organization that aims to promote Buddhism and foster cooperation among Buddhist communities worldwide, in collaboration with institutions like the Mahabodhi Society of India, Sri Lanka Buddhist Council, and Chinese Buddhist Association. The organization has its roots in the First World Buddhist Forum, held in China in 2006, which brought together prominent Buddhist leaders, including the Dalai Lama, Thich Nhat Hanh, and Sulak Sivaraksa. The International Buddhist Confederation works closely with other international organizations, such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace, to promote peace, understanding, and cooperation. It also engages with prominent Buddhist universities, including Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University and Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka.

● History

The International Buddhist Confederation was formally established in 2010, with the support of the Government of India, Indian Council for Cultural Relations, and the Asoka Mission. The organization's founding was inspired by the vision of Buddha, as well as the teachings of prominent Buddhist masters, including Nagarjuna, Aryadeva, and Dogen Zenji. The International Buddhist Confederation has its headquarters in New Delhi, India, and has been actively engaged in promoting Buddhist values and principles, in collaboration with organizations like the World Fellowship of Buddhists, Buddhist Association of China, and the Korean Buddhist Federation. The organization has also been involved in various international events, including the World Buddhist Forum, Buddhist Summit, and the International Buddhist Conference.

● Organization

The International Buddhist Confederation is governed by a Buddhist Council, which comprises prominent Buddhist leaders and scholars from around the world, including Tenzin Gyatso, Aung San Suu Kyi, and Daisaku Ikeda. The organization is headed by a President, who is currently Lama Lobzang, a renowned Buddhist master and scholar, who has worked closely with institutions like the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts and the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives. The International Buddhist Confederation has a secretariat, which is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the organization, and works in close collaboration with other Buddhist institutions, such as the Buddhist Society of India, Sri Lankan Buddhist Sangha, and the Chinese Buddhist Academy. The organization also has a network of regional and national chapters, which are responsible for promoting Buddhist values and principles at the local level, in partnership with organizations like the American Buddhist Congress, European Buddhist Union, and the African Buddhist Union.

● Objectives

The primary objectives of the International Buddhist Confederation are to promote Buddhism and foster cooperation among Buddhist communities worldwide, in collaboration with institutions like the Buddhist Peace Fellowship, International Network of Engaged Buddhists, and the Sakyadhita International Association of Buddhist Women. The organization aims to achieve this objective by promoting Buddhist values and principles, such as ahimsa, karuna, and prajna, and by supporting the development of Buddhist education, art, and culture, in partnership with organizations like the Buddhist Education Foundation, Buddhist Art and Culture Foundation, and the International Buddhist Film Festival. The International Buddhist Confederation also seeks to promote peace, understanding, and cooperation among nations, and to address global challenges, such as poverty, inequality, and climate change, in collaboration with institutions like the United Nations Development Programme, World Health Organization, and the International Labour Organization.

● Membership

The International Buddhist Confederation has a diverse membership, comprising Buddhist organizations, institutions, and individuals from around the world, including the Buddhist Association of Thailand, Myanmar Buddhist Federation, and the Buddhist Council of Australia. The organization has members from over 30 countries, including China, India, Japan, Korea, and Sri Lanka, and works in close collaboration with other international organizations, such as the World Council of Churches, Islamic Council of Europe, and the Hindu Council of Australia. The International Buddhist Confederation also has a network of associate members, which includes prominent Buddhist leaders, scholars, and practitioners, such as Thich Quang Do, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, and Matthieu Ricard, who are affiliated with institutions like the University of California, Berkeley, Harvard University, and the University of Oxford.

● Activities

The International Buddhist Confederation is engaged in a wide range of activities, including promoting Buddhist education, art, and culture, in partnership with organizations like the Buddhist University of Sri Lanka, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, and the International Buddhist Film Festival. The organization also supports the development of Buddhist communities, and provides humanitarian aid and relief to those in need, in collaboration with institutions like the Red Cross, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and the World Food Programme. The International Buddhist Confederation has also been involved in various international events, including the World Buddhist Forum, Buddhist Summit, and the International Buddhist Conference, which have been attended by prominent Buddhist leaders, including Tenzin Gyatso, Aung San Suu Kyi, and Daisaku Ikeda, and have featured discussions on topics like Buddhist philosophy, Buddhist psychology, and Buddhist ethics. The organization also publishes a quarterly newsletter, which features articles and news on Buddhist topics, and is distributed to its members and partners, including the Buddhist Society of India, Sri Lankan Buddhist Sangha, and the Chinese Buddhist Academy.