Srebrenica Memorial

The 11th July is the European Union's Memorial Day of the Srebrenica genocide, with 2015 being the 20th anniversary.

On the 8th July a representative of the Buddhist Council of Wales joined other faith and community leaders at the Senedd in Cardiff for the Srebrenica Memorial Service.

The service included two incredibly moving and powerful personal testimonies by Nura Begovic, representative of the Mothers of Srebrenica and Nedzad Avic, a survivor of the Srebrenica genocide.

For further information please visit Remembering Srebrenica

Palpung Wales - June & July events

Upcoming Palpung Changchub Dargyeling (Wales) events in June and July.

BCW attend MCW "Discover Islam" exhibition launch

On Tuesday 21st April a representative of the Buddhist Council of Wales joined other faith and community leaders at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay for the Muslim Council of Wales "Discover Islam" exhibition launch, sponsored by Dame Rosemary Butler AM.

Buddhist Festivals

The Welsh Assembly government recently enquired about the festivals celebrated by the faiths represented at the Faith Communities Forum. Buddhism is represented at the Faith Communities Forum by the Buddhist Council of Wales. The Chair of the Council, Ngakma Nor’dzin Pamo, replied that the primary Buddhist festivals are the New Year and Wesak (Vesak).

Does your tradition focus on any other Buddhist festivals? Is there a festival that your Buddhist organisation or group would like to have brought to the attention of the Welsh Assembly Government? If so, please do contact the Buddhist Council of Wales to let us know and we will forward the information.

The Dharma Bum - A Documentary

Ian Lawton, a film maker based in the midlands of Ireland, is making a film about the lost Irish historical figure, U Dhammaloka, the first western Buddhist monk.

Ian Lawton speaks in more detail about the film and of Dhammaloka as a guest on a recent episode of the Mindrolling Podcast hosted by David & Raghu of Ram Dass Love Serve Remember Foundation, which is available to listen to here or on iTunes (Episode 96) and has also written an article on Dhammaloka for Elephant Journal. There are also more articles and information available on The Dharma Bum Facebook page.

Information about how to support the project can be found on the campaign page at www.dana.io/thedharmabum where contributions can be made in exchange for rewards.

Race Equality First event for the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination 2015

Representatives of the Buddhist Council of Wales attended the Race Equality First event for the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on Friday 20th March in Cardiff.

International Day for the

Elimination of Racial Discrimination 2015

Sadly, even democratic and peaceful societies are not immune to prejudice and violence. With the anti-immigration views expressed by some media and politicians in the lead up to the elections, there is growing hostility and discrimination towards many communities.

The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination event with Race Equality First shared the facts as well as the concerns around immigrants, migration and asylum seekers in Wales.

The event included presentations and workshops to celebrate our multicultural society and explore the opportunities and challenges of immigration. The event ended with entertainment from Cardiff Bollywood Dance Society and a networking lunch.

St David's Day Parade 2015

The Buddhist Council of Wales and it's member organisations will be taking part in the Cardiff St David's Day Parade 2015.  The parade starts outside Cardiff City Hall at 12:30 on Sunday 01/03/15 and all Buddhist are welcome to join us in the parade, please email us in advance for further information.

For further information on the parade itself and other events on the day, please visit the St David's Day Parade website.

*image from St David's Day Parade website.