A group of nuns from the Bhutan Nuns Foundation will be touring the UK from July 2013, meeting local Buddhist groups and giving presentations on the realities of life as a nun in Bhutan.  Please see poster for details or visit their websites  www.womenofbuddha.com/~ and www.buzzbnk.org/~.

The Dharma Primary School, Europe’s only primary school to offer an education based on Buddhist values (based in Brighton, East Sussex, UK), is seeking a new Head Teacher.

Current head Peter Murdock is preparing to move on after more than a decade of leadership at the end of this year. Since his appointment in 2002, Peter has taken the school through two successful Ofsted inspections (‘outstanding personal and social development’) and evolved the school’s unique approach to learning and self-development through the Buddhist practice of mindfulness. A practising Buddhist for 30 years, Peter has long been respected by staff, parents and pupils for his ability to make Buddhist principles relevant and accessible to all as “a practical way of living” rather than a religion or philosophy.

He said: “It has been an honour to be head of such a unique and innovative school and I have appreciated the support and trust placed in me by the school community. However, at 58, in my eleventh year here I feel it is time to move on to new projects and challenges. Impermanence and change are central to Buddhist teachings and although this is a time of transition, it is part of a natural cycle of positive growth and creativity that will bring new energy and ideas into the school.”

The school’s Board of Trustees has begun recruiting for a new Head Teacher – further details and an application pack are available via the Job Vacancies page at the Dharma School website. At a time when the sphere of Mindfulness in Education is developing worldwide, this is a unique opportunity for an experienced teacher and committed Buddhist to lead the school into an exciting new phase of development. We appreciate it may take time to find the right individual for this key post and Peter will stay on as Head Teacher until December 2013 if necessary to facilitate the transition.

Tony Owers, Chair of the school’s Board of Trustees said: “Peter’s extraordinary effort and commitment have ensured the school provides a truly rounded education offering not only a sound academic curriculum, but also the benefits of a practical Buddhist ethos and mindfulness practice. He will be greatly missed. We wish him well as we look forward to finding an equally talented individual who can bring their own ideas, approach and leadership to our unique school.”

At times we can be embroiled in conflict within ourselves and with those around us. Can these conflicts be creative? In what ways, on a daily basis, do we transform problematic situations? Is conflict good or bad?

Each speaker at this conference will approach these and other questions from their own perspective, whilst drawing on Buddhist ideas and concepts. There will be opportunities to join workshops, watch performances and other creative ways to explore transforming conflict.

Speakers will include:
Dr Michele Lamb – Roehampton University, Human Rights
Dr Mark Owen – The Centre of Religions for Reconciliation and Peace
Marina Cantacuzino – The Forgiveness project
Akuppa – Prison Chaplaincy
Caroline Brazier – Tariki Trust
Jamie Cresswell – Centre for Applied Buddhism
Ken Jones – Network of Engaged Buddhists
Munisha – Clear Vision Trust
Padmadaka – Karuna Trust

For more information and to book please click here

Taplow Court Berkshire 16 – 18 August 2013

 WORLD BUDDHIST LEADERS RESPONSE  TO THE GROWING ETHNIC VIOLENCE AGAINST MUSLIMS IN MYANMAR

To Our Brother and Sister Buddhists in Myanmar,

As world Buddhist leaders we send our lovingkindess and concern for the difficulties the people of Myanmar are faced with at this time. While it is a time of great positive change in Myanmar we are concerned about the growing ethnic violence and the targeting of Muslims in Rakhine State and the violence against Muslims and others across the country. The Burmese are a noble people, and Burmese Buddhists carry a long and profound history of upholding the Dharma.

We wish to reaffirm to the world and to support you in practicing the most fundamental Buddhist principles of non-harming, mutual respect and compassion.

These fundamental principles taught by the Buddha are at the core of Buddhist practice:

Buddhist teaching is based on the precepts of refraining from killing and causing harm.
Buddhist teaching is based on compassion and mutual care.
Buddhist teaching offers respect to all, regardless of class, caste, race or creed.

We are with you for courageously standing up for these Buddhist principles even when others would demonize or harm Muslims or other ethnic groups. It is only through mutual respect, harmony and tolerance that Myanmar can become a modern great nation benefiting all her people and a shining example to the world.

Whether you are a Sayadaw or young monk or nun, or whether you are a lay Buddhist, please, speak out, stand up, reaffirm these Buddhist truths, and support all in Myanmar with the compassion, dignity and respect offered by the Buddha.

We stand with you in the Dharma,

Ven. Thich Nhat Hanh
Nobel Peace Prize Nominee
Vietnam

Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi
President Buddhist Global Relief
(world’s foremost translator of the Pali Canon)
Sri Lanka/USA

Dr. AT Ariyaratne
Founder Nationwide Sarvodaya Movement
Gandhi Peace Prize Laureate
Sri Lanka

Ven. Chao Khun Raja Sumedhajahn
Elder, Ajahn Chah Monasteries
Wat Ratanavan, Thailand

Ven. Phra Paisal Visalo
Chair Buddhika Network Buddhism and Society
Thailand

Ven. Arjia Rinpoche VIII
Abbot Tibetan Mongolian Cultural Center
Mongolia/USA

Ven. Shodo Harada Roshi
Abbot Sogenji Rinzai Zen Monastery
Japan

Achariya Professor J Simmer Brown
Chairperson Buddhist Studies
Naropa Buddhist University
USA

Ven. Ajahn Amaro Mahathera
Abbot Amaravati Vihara
England

Ven. Hozan A Senauke
International Network of Engaged Buddhists
Worldwide

Younge Khachab Rinpoche VIII
Abbot Younge Drodul Ling
Canada

Ven. Sr. Thich Nu Chan Kong
President Plum Village Zen temples
France/Vietnam

Dr. Jack Kornfield Vipassana Achariya
Convener Western Buddhist Teachers Council
USA

Lama Surya Das
Dzogchen Foundation International
Vajrayana Tibet/USA

Ven. Zoketsu N. Fischer Soto Roshi
Fmr. Abbot largest Zen community in the West
USA/Japan

Tulku Sherdor Rinpoche
Director BI. Wisdom Institute
Canada

Professor Robert Tenzin C. Thurman
Center for Buddhist Studies
Columbia University
USA

HH the XIV Dalai Lama
Nobel Laureate
Tibet/India

Though not able to be reached in time to sign this letter, HH the Dalai Lama has publicly and repeatedly stated his concern about the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. He urges everyone to continue to practice non-violence and retain the religious harmony that is central to our ancient and revered culture.

“The cross party group of parliamentarians has been formed to raise awareness of this issue and to specifically aim for religious freedom to be treated as proper human right.  I am very grateful that a number of academics will be helping us write to the report which will be titled “Article 18, an orphaned human right”.

“One of the chapters will be focus on each faith and the issues that they are having in various parts of the World.  So far we have taken evidence on the issues for Muslims, Christians and the Baha’i.  We would very much like to receive submissions from other faiths.  If you wish to do so in writing then please just go to the website anorphanedright.net/~.”

Following Modgala’s visit, the NBO has now become a stakeholder and will continue to be involved with the committee and its work.

NBO report to Parliament on Religious Freedom March 2013.pdf

They say – “‘Green Earth Awakening will be a wonderful opportunity for up to 500 people to come together on a Buddhafield-style camp, on our old festival site, in the glorious Blackdown Hills in Devon. It’ll be a chance to connect with the land, re-learn forgotten skills and live communally for a while, exploring pathways towards a sustainable future.

There will be a range of green crafts, offering the chance to make something beautiful with our own hands and learn new but traditional skills; social change workshops and ecology talks, helping us to face difficult truths about ourselves and the world; meditation, rituals and Dharma talks giving us the spiritual context in which to explore those truths and help us grow and change. We can all become what the world needs now! Alive, aware, in touch with the earth, connected. There will also be a space for massage swaps and other healing, a kid’s area with activities offered (dependent on parental involvement and supervision), storytelling, poetry and acoustic music around the camp-fires at night, sharing our inspiration and heartfelt offerings”.

Dates are 24—27 May 2013, prices are on their website.  For more information and to volunteer, contact Lou.

Dr Sunil Kariyakarawana spoke about the focus of Kalyanamitra being to support practicing Buddhists who are working for the benefit of others through the provision of pastoral care. The spirit of Kalyanamitra is of being a good friend, inspired by Buddhist teachings and practices.

This group is now 3 years old and sponsored by The Buddhist Society. Desmond Biddulph spoke of the vision being, as a way of transmitting Dharma, to offer something not just for the varied groups of Buddhists but for us Brits generally. To go into all arenas to teach “peace of heart” –schools, universities, hospitals, prisons, fire services etc. By inspired insightful lay people. However training is needed.

Keith Munnings spoke of the trainings offered in London and Birmingham by Kalyanamitra and in Leicester by the Tariki Trust. Two courses of training can give entry to chaplaincy as volunteers and potentially paid work. Twelve will qualify this summer and numbers will probably double by next year.

The multi faith focus is growing in this country and there are opportunities for interfaith action in several chaplaincy arenas. The Buddhist Healthcare Chaplaincy group now has an endorsement process and regular meetings to consider applications.The endorsement process also gives pastoral support to chaplains and applications for endorsement are encouraged from current chaplains and people thinking of becoming chaplains.

Kalyanamitra needs encouragement, involvement and support from from Buddhist communities. The Buddhist healthcare chaplaincy group aims to be self-sustaining in future and wants to encourage varied and potentially new forms of chaplaincy and pastoral care.

The evening meeting was sponsored by Jatak travel and India tourism and held at a Nepali restaurant who provided a lovely meal. Entertainment was provided by Nepali and Sri Lankan dancers.

Reported by Modgala Louise Duguid

And please let us know your plans so we can help publicise them. You can use the Buddhism UK facebook site for this.