Operational Area & Scope of Activities
Greater London and bordering Counties, i.e. as far as people can comfortably travel for a meeting, but flexible and open to groups and people further afield if any topic or situation suggests it. Contributions to the web site are always welcome, and indeed encouraged, regardless of where one might reside.
Firmly focused on the Buddha Dharma, we are not engaging in political activity, but we will be dealing with local authorities, (e.g. NHS Hospitals, Standing Advisory Councils for Religious Education, Local Authorities, etc).
We work alongside existing structures and Buddhist organizations, not in competition with them. We aim to provide services where needed, not to proselytize.
We aim to connect people and groups, and provide a shared space, where dialogue and reciprocal support can take place.
Who is invited to join in
No formal membership involved, driven by consensus, and allowing for ad hoc initiatives and participation.
Access to the Forum areas of the website is by prior registration, and the Website Editing team reserves the right to deny or terminate an individual's access to those facilities at any time, even without prior warning, at their discretion.
Open to all Buddhists individuals in the South East and beyond who subscribe to the The 'Ekayana' approach, i.e. many traditions, but one Way.
It means that we take the Pali Canon as being the guiding principle, an integral part of the teaching, the heart of it really, while at the same time we recognize that Buddhism has developed over the centuries into a rich variety of traditions, adapting to whatever host culture it has become embedded into.
We also recognizes that many of those living traditions have been enriched by the insights and teachings of the many who have walked the Buddha's Way before us, and are fully capable of delivering. This does not mean that we subscribe to all and sundry, and we can't feel that our own tradition is somewhat special, but rather that there is enough common ground for us to work together in an 'intra-faith' kind of set up.
Together we take refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha.
Over the years this approach, or better attitude of the heart, has stood for tolerance, dialogue and cooperation, and has encouraged the view that Buddhism is made up of many different traditions, which to a greater or lesser extent give body and shape to the One Way. Whether at any point in time any specific tradition, or individual representing it, fulfils that function, is for each of us to decide, and that in turn will inform our actions, but we should always be guided by the principles of wisdom and compassion. And it can go further, if we allow ourselves not to panic, and recognize that all religious symbols and aspirations spring out of our common heart, in its search for the way home, however misguided they might appear.
Field of activities
- Religious Education in schools and participation in Standing Advisory Councils for RE.
- Support for Chaplaincy in NHS Hospitals, Prisons, HM Forces, Schools and Universities;
- Support for volunteer work in Hospices, and out-reach work
- Regional representational activities and liaising with Local Authorities
- Regional Interfaith activities, and more.
The provision of presentational & informational material covering the whole spectrum of our traditions, facilities and activities, to be made available to the various volunteers as well ass local authorities and institutions, and the public at large.
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