UWC Atlantic College's Peace March for the Rohingya Crisis on 20th October 2017

Students at UWC Atlantic College are organising a peaceful march in Bridgend from 14:30 to 16:00 on Friday 20th October to raise awareness about the ongoing Rohingya crisis and to promote peace.

UWC Atlantic College students believe that the Rohingya crisis cannot be ignored and that people should be more informed about this crisis through community actions like this peace march.

Lion's Roar - Statement: Myanmar’s Buddhist Leaders Must Take a Stand Against Ethnic Cleansing

Lion's Roar has published a letter signed by over 200 Buddhist teachers and community leaders calling on Myanmar’s Buddhist leaders to take action to end the crisis.

You can read the letter by visiting here

Charter for Compassion

Charter for Compassion International provides an umbrella for people to engage in collaborative partnerships worldwide. It's mission is to bring to life the principles articulated in the Charter for Compassion through concrete, practical action in a myriad of sectors.

You can read about the Charter for Compassion by visiting here which also has links to sign the Charter and also to join the movement.

‘Global Shanti’ – Amaravati Buddhist Heritage Festival

Namaste,

We are pleased to invite you to participate in ‘Global Shanti’ – Amaravati Buddhist Heritage Festival, an initiative by the Government of Andhra Pradesh being held from November 24 – 26, 2017 in Vijayawada.

The festival is free entry and will feature three days of insightful speakers from across the Buddhist community, entertaining and educational musical and theatrical performances and a special exhibition on the Buddhist heritage sites and art of Andhra Pradesh.

Planned two weeks prior to Bodhi Day, we hope to achieve the largest ever gathering of Buddhist followers and supporters performing together a chant for world peace. Led by esteemed guests of honor from all three rafts, Theravada, Vajrayana and Mahayana, the chant will unite Monks, Bhikkhunis, lay Buddhists and people of all faiths across the globe. For organizations and individuals that are not based in India and unable to travel, we would like you to connect and unite with us on the digital platform at the designated time for the global chant. Our efforts are to achieve a world record to have the largest participation in a chant for the noble cause of attaining world peace.

As part of the festival, curated tours will be run across the state at a nominal fee. Andhra Pradesh has 200+ important Buddhist sites dating back to the 3^rdCentury B.C. and is an important center for pilgrimage and study. The state is home to The Great Buddhist Stupa in Amaravati which is the largest in India. Close by is the Nagarjunakonda island, an ancient center of Buddhist learning, which houses 2000-year old Relic Caskets and beautiful sculptural Buddhist Art. There are many other magnificent stupas, vihara complexes and Chaityas Rock-cut caves bursting with fascinating history, all within close reach of the festival.

At present, we are gathering numbers and availability of interested organisations. With further information about the festival being disseminated   in the coming weeks along with a call for volunteers and submissions for short plays, musical performances and talks.

Our company Fountainhead MKTG, part of the Dentsu Aegis Network, has the privilege of being commissioned by the Tourism Authority of the Government of Andhra Pradesh to organize the event. We have been building memorable events since 1995 and are also producing several other events over the coming months celebrating the rich cultural history of the state of Andhra Pradesh.

Please register your interest either by replying to this email or filling the online form on the link below. Please state estimated number of participants and if you would be joining in person for the festival, joining the chant online or both.

We look forwards to welcoming you.

Link to online form

Chair’s report of events attended April to September

The following events were attended by a Buddhist Council of Wales representative:

• 3 April – Faith Communities Forum meeting, with the First Minister and other AMs 
• 5 May - teaching at Cardiff and Vale College   
• 10 May - reporting journalism 
• 18 May - meeting with BBC  
• 31 May - Marie Curie Advisory Group meeting  
• 18 July - Marie Curie Advisory Group meeting  
• 20 September - Marie Curie Advisory Group meeting

Events to which a representative of the Buddhist Council of Wales were invited, but no representative was available to attend:

• 27 April - 'Teaching Genocide: Lessons from Srebrenica’ 
• 24 -28 April - Solutions not Sides -  conflict resolution workshops 
• 11 May - Dying Matters conference 
• Several interfaith invitations from Race Equality First 
• 6 evening events May and June, Muslim Council Wales - Strategy and Leadership Team, Darul Isra Mosque 
• 'Sharing Ramadan' from Mohammed Alamgir Ahmed, Community Outreach Manager 
• 12-13 July - Inter-faith symposium. University of Wales: Trinity Saint David.  
• 13 July - Interfaith Council for Wales meeting  
• 20 July – Peace Mala Inter-faith Liturgy for World Peace at Llandaf Cathedral, Cardiff.  
• 31 July – The Welsh National Service of Remembrance to mark the Centenary of the Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele) in Langemark, Belgium

 

Buddhist Council of Wales autumn meeting

The Buddhist Council of Wales autumn meeting is tomorrow, 23rd September at 10:30.
It is being hosted by University of Wales Trinity St David's, Lampeter. Meet at Reception.
Please join us if you are interested in the work of the BCW.

Yungdrung Bon - Lama Khemsar Rinpoche September visit postponed

Lama Khemsar Rinpoche's scheduled teaching visit to Swansea in September has been postponed.

New dates will be announced as soon as possible.

Yungdrung Bon - Lama Khemsar Rinpoche visit 20th - 26th September 2017

TYBSC Wales announces

Evening Talk, One-to-Ones &

Five Day Non-Residential Teaching, Meditation and Practice Retreat

LAMA KHEMSAR RINPOCHE

20^th–26th September 2017

Lama Khemsar Rinpoche is one of the few teachers of Yungdrung Bon Buddhism teaching in the West.

He is a non-sectarian liberal teacher who teaches spiritual knowledge rather than dogma.

Yungdrung Bon Buddhism is the original spiritual tradition of Tibet taught by Buddha Tonpa Shenrab.

His teachings are based on Theg-pa chhen-poi Lam (Mahayana) approach of practising

indiscriminate love and compassion towards all sentient beings.

Evening Event

Wednesday 20^th September 6.30–9pm Public talk: ‘Transforming ignorant mind into enlightened mind!’

Venue: Tibetan Yungdrung Bon Lakhang, Silver Horse, 105 Sway Road, Morriston, Swansea SA6 6JD

Entry to the evening event is by donation.

One-to-Ones (must be booked in advance)

Thursday 21^st  September 10am–5pm One-to-one private consultations with Lama for Spiritual or Health matters (1 hour), or for Loong (transmission) of a teaching (2 hours).

Venue: Tibetan Yung Drung Bon Lakhang, Silver Horse, 105 Sway Road, Morriston, Swansea SA6 6JD

Fee: £55 per hour.

Five Day Non-Residential Retreat (book in advance)

Friday 22^nd September to Tuesday 26^th 9.30am–4.30pm ‘Zhiney, (calm abiding) for proper meditative base, Nyamzhak (State of equanimity) naked mind of thought free and Lhak Thong (experiencing of awareness) where Neljorwa realises or discovers his/her RIG PA JANG CHUB SEM!’                                                 ’

Venue: Tibetan Yungdrung Bon Lakhang, Silver Horse, 105 Sway Road, Morriston, Swansea SA6 6JD

Fee: £250, or daily rate.

All bookings/enquiries: contact one of the Organisers: Amanda 07966 714977 amanda.treesong@gmail.com; Darren 07581 735064 darrenivey74@gmail.com; Jane 07885 319969 jane.estelle@sky.com

More details at www.yungdrungbon.com

Rissho Kosei-kai Dharma Service in Swansea 09/09/17

Rissho Kosei-kai Dharma Service

Saturday 9th September 2017

13:30 - 17:00

at

2 Humphrey Street, Swansea, SA1 6BG

Join us for our Dharma service which will include chanting from the Lotus Sutra and hoza (Dharma sitting).

For further information please email Rissho Kosei-kai of the UK.

For further information on Rissho Kosei-kai, please visit the Rissho Kosei-kai website or the UK Facebook page

Race Council Cymru - Black History Month Wales

Race Council Cymru - the official organisers of the Black History Month Wales programme have announced the Black History Month Wales 2017 - 10^th Anniversary.

Theme: OUR STARS. OUR FUTURE. OUR HISTORY.

They are also organising the 2^nd Youth Awards which were launched in 2016 and seek nominations for any BAME young person aged 13 to 30 who organisations/ providers/employers feel deserves wider recognition for their achievements.

Information on the BHM Wales Youth Awards and sponsorship opportunities are attached for your information including the links to nomination forms.

There will be events taking place all over Wales and the Black History Wales Youth Awards will take place on

Friday 29^th September 2017 at 12pm at Pierhead Building Cardiff Bay.  The closing date for nominations is Thursday 31^st August 2017

The categories this year include Visual Art, Outstanding Academic Achievement, Music /Performing Art, Good Citizens, Entrepreneur, Young Leader, Science and Innovation, Young Volunteer, Young Carer and Sport.

Official BHM Wales launches will take place on:

Saturday 30th September 2017 at 12pm - 5.30pm at National Museum of Wales, Cathay's Park, Cardiff

Saturday 30th September 2017. North Wales Launch at Bangor. Venue: TBC

Sunday 1st October 2017 at 2pm - 6pm. North Wales Launch at Wrexham. Venue: Saith Seren.

The Black History Month Wales Grand Finale will take place on

Sunday 29th October 2017 at 12pm - 7pm - at Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay.

If you are interested in attending the event, sponsoring or having a stall please contact at info@racecouncilcymru.org.uk

Regards,

Ebed A.

Volunteer Administrator

The Cardiff Volunteer Centre

Learning for hope

Valleys Taskforce

The Valleys Taskforce wants to hear the views of people who work and live in the south Wales valleys to help shape the valleys communities for the future.

It would be great if you can engage with the talk valleys programme and help spread the word by sharing the different ways people can get involved to your family, friends, colleagues and relevant stakeholders.

There is a Talk Valleys online survey or views and comments can be sent to the TalkValleys mailbox.

If you follow social media, then follow the Talk Valleys facebook page and use #TalkValleys on Twitter. (wg_communities)

We’ll also be sending out a regular Talk Valleys e-mailer so if you, friends, family or stakeholders want to keep up to date with the progress of the taskforce then please send us the email addresses.

We hope you can help to get as many people engaged to #TalkValleys.

Diolch / thanks

Robin Grossmann

Cymorth Tîm Cydraddoldeb / Equality Team Support

Adran Cydraddoldeb a Ffyniant / Equality and Prosperity Division

Y Grwp Addysg a Gwasanaethau Cyhoeddus / Education and Public Services Group
Llywodraeth Cymru / Welsh Government
Merthyr Tudful / Merthyr Tydfil

CF48 1UZ

Ffôn / Tel:  (0300) 025 7750

Ebost / Email: Robin.Grossmann@Cymru.GSI.Gov.UK

Wanted - Welsh language speaking Buddhists

The Buddhist Council of Wales has received an enquiry from Lowri Williams of the BBC, appealing for Welsh language speaking Buddhists to help with the production of bilingual resources for GCSE Religious Studies revision. Can you help?

“I'm a producer for BBC Bitesize, an online revision resource for GCSE students. I'm currently in the early production stage of a brand new bilingual resource for Religious Studies (Wales only). The resource will be based on the WJEC's new specification to be taught from September 2017.

The WJEC’s new specification mentions the importance of including a Welsh perspective, and as it will be a bilingual English/Welsh resource, would you be able to recommend any Welsh-speaking Buddhists or centres where there are Welsh speakers please?”

Invitation to Sanghapadipa Temple, Tredegar, September 9th

Invitation to the Sanghapadipa Temple in Tredegar

9th September

Within South Wales there exists a Buddhist Community that has a long and entwined relationship with the Monastic Sangha of the current Theravada Elders. This community has children, parents and grandparents that practice the Buddhist doctrine of harmonious living in a way that is inter-generational and in line with the doctrine.  At the present time many people convene at the Sanghapadipa Temple, Rhymney, Gwent Valleys.  Such support for the mind and heart is easily observed, when immersed in this way.

Within the yearly structure of the temple, a plethora of courses, teaching, mindfulness days are not offered. Yes that's correct, not offered. There is very little focus on Doctrine and Discipline as an educational attainment and nobody is regarded as beginner or intermediate meditator. There are no labels, just an opportunity to slip into the flow of the monastic communities contemplative living, the giving of food, private or led meditation, chanting the Pali suttas or just relaxing in the landscape of our Welsh countryside. The atmosphere is friendly and one of cordiality.

The community is peer led, those people interested in aspects of the Dhamma, make their own effort to travel, learn and explore. Various people within the community organise day visits to Cittaveka, Amaravatti or Buddhapadipa Temple. These days are communal gatherings and formality is dropped. 

Ajahn Sawat and the monks are originally from Thailand, and the Thais have Buddhism embedded in their culture, religious heritage and psyche of the land of 'friendly smiles'. There is a unique opportunity to experience the Buddha's way from a culture that is embedded within his formidable teaching.

We are organising a meeting day on Saturday September 9th for people who would like to visit the temple and for people in the Bridgend area, who would like to support their own practice. If this resonates with what you are looking for, please do get in touch. As with all of our activities, everything we do is freely given. 

Metta 

Neville Evans (Lay member) evansneville@aol.com 

http://www.sanghapadipa.org.uk/ 

The Sanghapadipa Temple

1 Susannah Cottage, Rhymney, Tredegar,
Cardiff, South Wales, NP22 5QN
Phone: +44 1685843986
Email: info@sanghapadipa.org.uk

 

Buddhist Council of Wales working for Buddhists in Wales

The following events were attended by a Buddhist Council of Wales representative:

8th March – ‘Inspirational Women’ an interfaith event for International Women’s Day, organised by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Nor’dzin Pamo (BCW Chair) was one of the speakers.
15th March – Interfaith Council for Wales event at the Cardiff Reform Synagogue
16th March – Interfaith Council for Wales meeting. Lin Ashby spoke about the Charities Commission (see below for more details of this meeting).
28th March – ‘Has Wales Become a Godless Society?’ – Gorwel Debate (please see Nor’dzin’s personal blog for more details of this event) 
30th March – BCW bi-annual meeting (see separate post for details) 
3rd April – Faith Communities Forum meeting, with the First Minister and other AMs (see below for more details of this meeting).

Events to which a representative of the Buddhist Council of Wales were invited, but no representative was available to attend:

7th March – The Muslim Council of Wales conference with partners in Wales exploring a community based response to violent extremism.
Race Equality First – Youth Against Violent Extremism Project  – 4 visits to churches and mosques

Forthcoming events for which the Buddhist Council of Wales does not have an available representative:
July 20th 2017 – Peace Mala Inter-faith Liturgy for World Peace at Llandaf Cathedral, Cardiff.
July 31st 2017 – The Welsh National Service of Remembrance to mark the Centenary of the Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele) in Langemark, Belgium at 16:00 (local time)
Could someone from one of our Member Organisations attend this? Please contact the Buddhist Council of Wales at buddhistcouncilwales(at)gmail.com if you can help.

Interfaith Council for Wales meeting 16th March
Lin Ashby is the lead on faith-based charities for the Charities Commission. Many of Lin Ashby’s comments may be relevant to Buddhist groups and organisations:

• if you have a constitution you are probably acting like a charity
• even if you are not a charity, but work in that way, you need to observe the principles laid down by the Charities Commission
• Trustees should reflect the organisation’s remit and be diverse (gender, age, able/disabled, etcetera)
• buck stops with the Trustees – they are in charge
• the Governing Document of an organisation should include how to deal with a conflict of interest, and with disagreement, and include length of time in post for officers
• a Code of Conduct is good to have

She will be offering free workshops for organisations. The BCW will let you know when these are arranged.

The TSPC (Third Sector Partnership Council) has proved its value and been successful in a couple of its faith-based campaigns:

• Local Government wished to end Communities First. The TSPC succeeded in convincing government of the importance of Communities First and the problems that would arise if it was ceased to exist for those benefiting from its work. The government has changed its policy with regard to Communities First.
• Jewish, Hindu, Sikh, and Muslim communities have religious requirements with regard to burial arrangements. Health and Social Care are now addressing these issues.

Faith Commuities Forum meeting 3rd April

• Syrian refugees
• Community Cohesion
• Valleys Task Force
• Budget Engagement

Buddhist Council of Wales (test - please ignore)

Buddhist Council of Wales  (test - please ignore)

Historical context: Buddhist Council of Wales; Rhodri Morgan comment on Faith Communities Forum

The Buddhist Council of Wales was created at the request of the Welsh Government so that there was a formal organisation that could represent Buddhists in Wales. Buddhism is one of the nine major religions in Wales and it is growing in popularity. The Welsh Government’s response to the terrorist attacks of 9/11 was to ensure that there was a healthy dialogue between the divers religions in Wales. The Interfaith Council for Wales was established, from which representatives of each religion meet with the First Minister and other politicians in the Faith Communities Forum. The Buddhist Council of Wales has upheld this commitment to the Buddhist of Wales and ensured their representation since 2004. To continue this important work active members are urgently needed to get involved.

“Wales takes great pride in being a tolerant society with long-standing multicultural and multi-faith traditions which are by now deeply engrained in many of our communities. Events happening elsewhere in the world can often bring problems and tensions to the surface and the Faith Communities Forum can then provide a valuable mechanism for dialogue and close co-operation between the different faiths in Wales, the Welsh Assembly Government and political parties.

Set up in the wake of the terrorist attacks of 9/11, it has played an important role in promoting better understanding and respect between communities. It also plays a key role in addressing issues of common interest and I value greatly the contribution made by the Forum to issues which have an impact on religious communities themselves and on the wider health of good community relations in Wales.”

Rt Hon. Rhodri Morgan AM, First Minister for Wales 2000-2009

(Quotation link: http://www.cytun.org.uk/interfaithwales/interfaith_eng_home.html)

The future of the Buddhist Council of Wales

The next meeting of the Buddhist Council of Wales (BCW) is on 30th March. The question has to be asked: ‘Will it be its last meeting?’

These are some of the questions that need to be addressed in the discussion of the future of the BCW:

1. Do you want a Buddhist Council?
   
2. Do you think other Buddhists in Wales want a Buddhist Council?
   
3. If your answer to either 1 or 2 was ‘yes’, how can your group or organisation support the work of the BCW?
   
4. If your answer to either 1 or 2 was ‘yes’, and you are not able to support the work of the BCW, how do you think it should function?
   
5. Why do you think so many Buddhists groups and organisations in Wales do not join the BCW?
   
6. Why do you think Buddhist groups in Wales do not actively use the BCW as a resource, such as regularly sending copy to post on this blog advertising their activities?
   
7. Do you feel the BCW functions as a representative body for Buddhists in Wales?
   
8. Do you have any comments or suggestions about the future of the BCW?
   
9. Do you feel that the BCW should be dissolved?
   
10. If your answer to 10 is ‘yes’, do you have any concerns that Buddhists in Wales would no longer be represented on the Interfaith Council for Wales, and to government via the Faith Communities Forum, if there were no longer a BCW?

If you would like to join in the discussion about the future of the BCW, please send your answers to buddhistcouncilwales@gmail.com or post them in comments on this blog. Thank you.

Newsletter – Buddhist Council of Wales supporting Interfaith events in Wales

The following events were attended by a Buddhist Council of Wales representative:

21st December 2016 – Ngakma Nor'dzin contributed to filming at Race Equality First in support of their work fighting hate crime
2nd February 2017 – Can Muslims be British? organised by the Muslim Council of Wales
16th February – Ngakma Nor'dzin conducted a Buddhist funeral

Events to which a representative of the Buddhist Council of Wales was invited, but no representative was available to attend:


28th December 2016 – Hannukah celebration
27th January 2017 – Holocaust Memorial Day
31st January – Youth Against Violent Extremism, Cardiff United Synagogue
1st March – St David's Day service
7th March – The Muslim Council of Wales conference with partners in Wales exploring a community based response to violent extremism.

Forthcoming events for which the Buddhist Council of Wales does not have an available representative:
July 20th 2017 – Peace Mala Inter-faith Liturgy for World Peace at Llandaf Cathedral, Cardiff.
July 31st 2017 – The Welsh National Service of Remembrance to mark the Centenary of the Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele) in Langemark, Belgium at 16:00 (local time)
 
Could you attend an event on behalf of the Buddhist Council of Wales?
Please contact the Buddhist Council of Wales at buddhistcouncilwales(at)gmail.com if you can help.